Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 1

Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity

Kaelin T. Nguyen

Arizona State University

PPE 310 Fall B 2017

Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 2

Introduction

E-Portfolio link: http://ppe310kaelinn.weebly.com/

Childhood obesity is the number one health concern among parents in the United States,

as about one is three American kids and teens are overweight or obese. Obesity can not only

affect ones health, but wellbeing as well. This is an ongoing issue that affects childrens future,

leading to chronic diseases and influence those and their future families. There are changes that

need to be made to help children live a happier and healthier lifestyle, such as healthier food

alternatives and implementing daily exercise. Both aspects play a major role on good health.

Literature Review

These original research articles from four peer reviewed journals are all related to my

topic of childhood obesity. These articles present data from studies, which these authors

conducted.

Purpose

In the Journal of Youth & Adolescence, Elizabeth Waters, Boyd Swinburn and Jacob

Seidells purpose in this book review is preventing childhood obesity. This includes

understanding what factors lead up to childhood obesity, as well as understanding how

community member can make changes and work together to help address this issue.

In the Obesity Reviews, the Social influence in childhood obesity interventions: a systematic

review studies how social influences leads to childhood obesity, as well as how parent behavior

can implement changes for children to change their obesity outcomes.

In the Pediatric Obesity/Adult Etiology, Childhood obesity as a predictor of morbidity in

adulthood: a systematic review and meta-analysis is designed to review the body mass index of

children to help predict obesity-related morbidities in adulthood.

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In the Pediatric Obesity, the article Does consumption of high-fructose corn syrup

beverages cause obesity in children? by R.E. Morgan is designed to study how the increase of

the consumption of high-fructose beverages has led to the rise of obesity.

Methods

In Preventing Childhood Obesity, the methods that is used is prevention, which sets

about targeting both sides of the obesogenic equation by providing evidence based guidelines on

how to target a childs individual behavior as well as recommendations for effectively targeting

the childs external environment. (Waters, Swinburn, Seidell, 2010).

In Social influence in childhood obesity interventions: a systematic review, a systematic

review was conducted to study parent based influence in obesity interventions. Only studies

involving an intervention directed at parents with outcomes addressing childrens eating and

physical activity behaviors were reviewed (Jalali, Sharafi-Avarzaman, Rahmandad,

Ammerman, 2016).

The Childhood obesity as a predictor of morbidity in adulthood: a systematic review and

meta-analysis uses the method of first using at least 1,000 participants that measured obesity in

childhood, and was selected in order to focus the review on the larger cohort studies of

childhood obesity which are likely to be of highest quality (including reducing the risk of loss to

follow-up and selective reporting of statistically significant results [28]) and have a sufficiently

high incidence of outcomes in adulthood so as to have adequate power to detect associations

between childhood obesity and adult morbidity (Llewellyn, Simmonds, Owen, Woolacot.

2015).

The review article Does consumption of high-fructose corn syrup beverages cause

obesity in children? uses the method of reviewing scientific evidence regarding the idea that
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HFCS beverages can contribute to childhood obesity. The literature search for this was

performed using the ISI Web of Sciences, PubMed and Scopus databases.

Results

In Preventing Childhood Obesity, the results conclude that it is also the communitys

responsibility as they influence children to help prevent childhood obesity, as well as make

changes in the government and academia.

In Social influence in childhood obesity interventions: a systematic review, the results

Show that childrens eating and physical activity habits and behaviors are direct influences to

obesity, and healthy family behaviors can help treat children, as it is a lifestyle change.

In the Childhood obesity as a predictor of morbidity in adulthood: a systematic review

and meta-analysis, the results show us that Four studies reported only metabolic syndrome as

an outcome, and reporting of results was judged to be too diverse in these papers for a meta-

analysis to be performedEvidence of association between simple childhood measures other

than BMI was very limited.These results generally confirm findings from other recent

systematic reviews on the association between childhood BMI and adult diabetes (Llwewllyn,

Simonds, Owen, Woolacott. 2015).

In the review article Does consumption of high-fructose corn syrup beverages cause obesity in

child, the results show that he findings were thus inconclusive and failed to demonstrate that

sweetened beverage consumption increases BMI in children. However, the researchers did

determine that consumption of diet sodas was associated with overweight childrenThe results

did not show consistent relationships between hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia and weight gain.

The evidence that the gastrointestinal mechanism effects carbohydrate digestion was

inconsistent (Morgan. 2013).

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Synthesis of Information

Research & Theme

All four research papers in my literature review all research are all about childhood

obesity. Two articles are about prevention, while one is about how childhood obesity is a

predictor of morbidity in adults, and another is about a major cause of childhood obesity. The

two research papers about childhood obesity, Preventing Childhood Obesity, and Social

influence in childhood obesity interventions both agree on early action, as the evidence on the

burden of obesity to society is sufficient to warrant actionearly action (p 152. Baker-Ipek,

2013). Social influence in childhood obesity interventions looks at obesity in a different way.

While prevention is still the main topic, it is looked through family and environment, and how

the family can impact childhood obesity. The third article Childhood obesity as a predictor of

morbidity in adulthood is about obese children (being) at higher risk of being obese as adults,

and adult obesity is associated with an increased risk or morbidity (p. 822. Jalali, Sharafi

Avarzaman, Rahmandad, & Ammerman, 2016). The last journal, does consumption of high-

fructose corn syrup beverages cause obesity in children is about whether the entities contribute

to childhood yet limitation of sweeten beverages may decrease obesity in children (p 253.

Morgan, (2013). Does consumption of highfructose corn syrup beverages cause obesity in

children).

Conclusion

Based on the overview and themes, the overall conclusion is that Childhood obesity is

one of the most important public health challenges of the 21st century [1]. Childhood obesity is

strongly associated with adult obesity and there is evidence that it can persist into adulthood (p

820. Jalali, SharafiAvarzaman, Rahmandad, & Ammerman. 2016). Social influence in

Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 6

childhood obesity interventions). All four research papers concluded that making lifestyle are

necessary in order to help reduce childhood obesity.

Demonstration

The research and data that I have collected supports my stance on why my healthy and

active community plan is not only important for hope and engagement, but ties in my workplace

environment because obesity is a chronic disease that is preventable, and is the second leading

cause of death. Preventative care can help people, starting at a young age, live happy and

healthier lives. This also helps prevent other issues that begin with obesity. This can lead to hope

and engagement, as well as show the importance of healthy eating choices in my workplace

environment.

Practical Implications

Implementing the plan

With childhood obesity on the rise due to unhealthy eating habits, exercise is crucial.

Children 1st-6th grade must have 200 minutes of exercise every 10 days, at an average of 20

minutes per day. Children need movement to help them get their heart rates going, as it

increases cardiovascular endurance, decreases high blood pressure, and strengths muscles. This

afterschool program is designed to help improve motor skills, self-image, social development

and fitness goals.

This program, called Just Dance is a fun and interact program for all ages encouraging

students to keep it moving. With a variety of songs and levels to choose from, this allows

students to pick their own pace to exercise at and have fun. There is both individual and group

dancing, as well as choreograph your own dance sessions.

Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 7

Just Dance will be having a presentation regarding demonstrations and details to share

with students, families, and faculty about the many benefits. This program will be available for

all students, including those with disabilities.

Modifications and demonstration

This program is for all students, including students with a disability. This program does

not discriminate, as the goal is to promote exercise for a healthier lifestyle. Dance can be

modified for everyone, whether it be for someone in a wheelchair or someone who has difficulty

with arm movements. Dance is not necessarily moving on your feet to the rhythm of the music,

but a fun way to express yourself and use muscle movement to promote mobility and flexibility.

Modifications such as focusing on upper body rather than using your legs can be done, as well as

focusing on smaller movements to create a combination of moves to go with the music. An

example would be doing the YMCA dance. If a student is unable to use their arms, they can

modify that dance by using their legs to spell out the letters.

Practical Implications

The Just Dance program will be held afterschool in the school gym or auditorium, and

would be held twice a week, each day for a different level. This is a group program that will last

an hour. Music will be chosen by program coordinator and students as well. The class is up to 20

students, with two levels available. To move up a level, student must be ready to dance to faster

paced songs with more intricate movements. Practical implications are involved, which include:

marketing, funding, committee, education components, engagement, and recognition. Parents

and teachers advocate for this program, as it is more than just dancing, but creating a healthier

lifestyle by showing students that being healthy and active can be fun.

Marketing
Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 8

This program should be marketed to students with the mindset of what students want.

This means bright and bold colors, also in places visible for students to see. Younger students are

will not be frequenting billboards, so introducing this program in the form of a fun assembly

would work (see appendix, figure 1). This also means addressing parents to inform them of this

afterschool program providing them with the benefits of dance. An email will be sent out as well

as letters send home with students to inform parents about the program location, hours, benefits,

as well as fundraiser information. Social media will also be used, such as posting this program in

the school Facebook group to spread awareness and increase involvement. In order to post

photos or videos on the group page, waivers must be signed by parents to approve of the action.

Funding

In order to keep this program up and running, funding is required. This program will

require a donation money for the console to initiate the program, or a donation of either a

PlayStation, an Xbox, or a Wii. Speakers will also be needed to amplify the music, as well as a

projected to screen the activity. As the location will on school property, equipment is all that

requires funding. Additional funding can be used for healthy snacks for student participants.

Funding can be done though selling chocolates, bake sales, or raffles from donation items. This

can be further discussed in PTA meetings.

Committee

The committee involved in wellness as responsible stakeholders are teacher and staff

volunteers. These individuals supervise the program afterschool, ensuring that students are

having fun, being safe, and exercising. These individuals also are the voice for our participants,

speaking at the PTA regarding how the program is going as well as talking about any needs that
Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 9

Just Dance may need, whether it be new speakers or more volunteers to supervise the program,

to looking for a guest dance instructor.

Educational Components

Just Dance has 3 basic goals, one of which is social development. Through fitness, this

program is teaching students about social norms, the value of sportsmanship, teamwork,

leadership, respect, self-discipline, peer relationships, and multicultural differences and

appreciating those differences. While there are other educational components involved, (See

appendix, figure 2) we will focus on multicultural differences and learning about different types

of music and dance styles. There is also a historical perspective involved, as dance has evolved.

Engagement

Engagement begins at the assembly. Getting students engaged and interested in this

program can be done by creating a fun, musical, and colorful assembly. It can also be interactive,

showing students how Just Dance is done. Since this is geared towards 1st-6th grade, there will

be two separate assemblies. One is for 1st-3rd, and the other 4th-6th. These assemblies will differ

in appeal for age by using different language as well as song choice. 1st-3rd graders will be

dancing to songs such as the hokey pokey, while 4th-6th grade will dace to more current pop

songs that they hear on the radio. The assembly will be the main point of engagement for

students, introducing them into a fun and active lifestyle.

Recognition

The recognition of this program is important as an advocate for healthy eating habits and

exercise in early childhood and its benefits to health. Properly recognizing this program will help

with funding, as well as supporting a healthier lifestyle. (See appendix, figure 3) Local dance
Health Concerns in Childhood Obesity 10

studios can promote this program by offering information about Just Dance. Social media can be

used as well to share information about this program to spread awareness and gain support.

Conclusion

It is clear that childhood obesity is unhealthy and can be stopped with proper nutrition

and plenty of exercise. In order to provide children with proper nutrition, cutting out unhealthy

food and beverages, such as carbonated sugar beverages is only a start. Replacing unhealthy

foods and beverages with healthier alternatives will allow your body to get the nutrition it needs

without the extra fat and sugar. Exercise must be implemented daily to stay active and healthy.

These are the first steps to fighting obesity, and help lead a happier and healthier life. These

changes lead to feeling good about yourself and your decisions, as well as shapes your future. If I

could pain the perfect ending to my plan and event, it would be an ending where everyone has a

positive take away from it and implements it in their daily life. In a year, my program will be at

other schools in the district. In three years to five years, my program will be statewide. In ten

years, it will be throughout the country. My program will impact the lives of my employees and

my community by teaching them about a healthier life which results in eating right, exercising

daily, and having a positive mindset.

Appendix

Figure 1
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Figure 2

Figure 3
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References

Baker-Ipek, R. (2013). Elizabeth Waters, Boyd Swinburn, and Jacob Seidell: Preventing

Childhood Obesity. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 42(1), 151-153.

[Benefits of dance]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2017, from http://mocomi.com/dancing-is-

good-for-you/

Jalali, M., Sharafi Avarzaman, Z., Rahmandad, H., & Ammerman, A. (2016). Social influence

in childhood obesity interventions: A systematic review. Obesity Reviews, 17(9), 820-

832.

Llewellyn, A., Simmonds, M., Owen, C., & Woolacott, N. (2016). Childhood obesity as a

predictor of morbidity in adulthood: A systematic review and meta analysis. Obesity

Reviews, 17(1), 56-67.

Morgan, R. (2013). Does consumption of high fructose corn syrup beverages cause obesity in

children? Pediatric Obesity, 8(4), 249-254.

[Promoting development and learning]. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2017, from

http://slideplayer.com/slide/8328311/

Special Needs Dance. (n.d.). Retrieved November 14, 2017, from

http://www.mychildwithoutlimits.org/act/family-life/physical-activities-for-children-

with-disabilities/special-needs-dance/

[Student assembly]. (n.d.). Retrieved from

http://www.thereporteronline.com/article/RO/20150422/NEWS/150429913