CHILDHOOD

OBESITY
Andrea VanPortlfiet

Introduction
Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic in the US
2/3 of obese children will become obese adults, leading to
many health disparities and comorbidities.
Childhood obesity affects the health care system in many
different ways
Many resources are available to help combat rising obesity
rates.

Objectives
Understand factors leading to childhood obesity
Identify the comorbidities associated with obesity
Understand the effects of obesity on healthcare
Ideas to prevent and treat childhood obesity
Provide teaching to families to prevent childhood obesity

Overweight vs Obese
Measured with Body Mass Index
Normal BMI: 18.5-25
Overweight BMI: 25-30
Obese BMI: 30 or above
BMI scale for children and teens
Normal: 5th to 85th percentile
Overweight: 85th to 95th
percentile
Obese: 95th percentile and
above

Statistics in the US
One in three children are obese
Obesity has doubled in children and quadrupled in
adolescents in the past 30 years
13.9% High school students are obese, and 16% are
overweight
Latino and Black populations have higher obesity rate
than Caucasians

Statistics in Michigan
Signs of progress in childhood obesity
Between 2008 and 2011, Michigan's rate fell from
13.9% to 13.2%
14.3% of high school students are obese
13.2% of 2-4 year olds are obese
Michigan has the 25th highest childhood obesity rate in the
US

Dorothy Orems Self Care Deficit

Theory
Self-reliant and responsible for their
own care and their families care
Nursing is a form of action
Knowledge of potential health risks is
necessary
Specifies when nursing intervention is
needed

Kurt Lewins Change Theory

Influences change and makes change successful
Unfreeze
Getting ready to change
Pros and cons of change
Change
Make the changes that are needed
Change is a process or transition
Freeze (Refreeze)
Establish stability once change is made
Becomes accepted as new norm

Assessment of Healthcare
Environment: Policies and
Resources
Government Regulation on food packaging
WIC programs
School Wellness Policy
National School Lunch Program
School Breakfast Program
Lets Move!

Assessment of Health Care

Environment: Contributing
Factors
Diet and Exercise:
Genetics:
Overconsumption
Unhealthy Foods
Lack of Exercise

Parental Influence:
Primary meal
provider
Lack of education
Culture
food present in
home

- Predisposed genes
- Coping mechanisms

Socioeconomic
Status
- Time
- Money
- Access to healthy
foods

Root Cause Analysis

Parental
Influence

Diet and
Exercise
Overconsumption
Lack of exercise

Primary Meal
Provider
Education

Predisposing
Genes

Time

Coping
Mechanism

Genetics

Money

Socioeconomi
c Factors

Childhoo
d
Obesity

Immediate Health Effects

High cholesterol
High blood pressure
Higher risk of prediabetes
Sleep apnea
Social and psychological problems

Long-term Health Effects

Risk for cardiovascular disease
Risk for bone and joint problems
Type 2 diabetes
Higher risk for several types of cancer (breast, colon, endometrium,
esophagus, kidney, gallbladder, thyroid, ovary, cervical, prostate)
Osteoarthritis

Implications/Consequences
Nurses
Higher patient ratios
Need for more nurses
Complicates nursing interventions
Patient
Comorbidities
Increased hospital stays
Premature Mortality
Health Care Facilities/ Economy
Increased need for workers
Increased cost of care
Cost to tax payers

Quality and Safety

Improvements: Treatment
Prevention
Education
Lifestyle Changes
Medications
Surgery

ANA Standards and QSEN

Competencies
ANA:
Education
Collaboration
Resource Utilization
QSEN:
Teamwork & Collaboration
Patient-Centered Care
Evidence Based Practice

Education for Parents

MyPlate
Physical Activity
Involvement in school activities/sports
Require 30 minutes of exercise daily
Family activities
Healthy Food Choices
Fresh fruits and Vegetables
Meal Prep
Resources

Summary
Childhood obesity is a rising epidemic in the US
Obesity leads to many comorbidities and can lead to premature
mortality
Obesity is causing health care costs to increase
Nurses can provide education to prevent childhood obesity
Many resources available

Questions?

References
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