Preventing Childhood Obesity can be Complicated
In the US, childhood obesity continues to be a serious health issue. Research has determined that childhood
obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and numerous other chronic
diseases. That’s serious stuff!
What primary factors are identified in Controversy 13 as the leading causes of childhood obesity? They are
numerous – and often interrelated. A number of approaches to the prevention of obesity in children have been
implemented, with varying degrees of success. What are some of the issues that need to be addressed to
increase the likelihood that such programs will be successful?
The references listed for Controversy 13 in Appendix F at the back of the text and several of the online
resources for this module will serve as a good starting point for you to investigate some of the programs that
have been implemented in the US as attempts to address the childhood obesity epidemic. Read critically.Why
have those programs not been consistently successful? Could it be that a different approach is needed? Could
community-based interventions be more successful? In other words, rather than parents/caregivers doing one
thing, schools another, physicians yet another, etc., what might happen if they all were working together? The
article linked here provides excellent information about community programs designed to ensure that children
have access to nutritious food choices that could reduce their risk of obesity. Nutrition Journal.
Are there similarities between your community and some that are discussed in that article? Can you envision
how community-based interventions might work in your community? For this assignment, you are to propose a
community-based intervention program to address childhood obesity in your community and post your proposal
for discussion. Your proposal should address the following questions: What factors contribute to childhood
obesity in your community ? Are there any unique issues in your community? Think about geographic as well
as economic issues. What programs currently are attempting to reduce childhood obesity rates? Are they
succeeding? Why do you think your proposed solution might be more effective? Your proposal can be applied
at any level, including, but not limited to, families, schools, communities, federal programs, corporate initiatives,
etc. If you perceive that childhood obesity is not an issue in your community, choose a nearby town/city
instead. Your solution should be well conceived and should provide specific steps for implementation. Your
proposal and your responses to your classmates’ proposals should indicate your understanding of the causes
and ramifications of childhood obesity. You should be able to demonstrate critical reading and thinking skills
and to apply what you are learning from the various resources available for this assignment.
FOR THE COMMUNITY, REFERENCE NEW YORK CITY. WE DO NOT HAVE MANY SCHOOL SPORTS
PROGRAMS OR LOCAL COMMUNITY RECREATIONAL PROGRAMS WIDELY AVAILABLE. PLEASE
MENTION THE USE OF VIDEO GAMES AS CONTRIBUTING TO THE LACK OF ACTIVITY IN CHILDREN,
FAST FOODS, CANDY, EATING HABITS. CHALLENGES FACED DURING THE COVID PANDEMIC, AND
LIVING IN THE CITY.
Your proposal should be roughly 400-500 words in length. In other words, it should be well researched, well
developed, and well written.
An Important Note: As with all your assignments, you must use your own words and document your sources.
By now, you should have a good understanding of ways to avoid plagiarism and maintain academic integrity.
Body Weight, Physical Activity, and Health
Chapter 9
In this chapter the basic facts of METABOLISM are presented and the body’s adaptation to excess or
deficiency of calories is explored. Carefully study Fig. 9-8 (p. 329) to understand how food intake is regulated.
You may be interested in learning more about obesity than about being underweight, or vice versa, but in your
reading do not skip over either topic just because it is less relevant to you. In many ways the two are quite
similar. The authors emphasize that multiple factors should be taken into consideration when determining a
healthy weight.