HEALTH

Childhood Obesity

Abstract

In this research we will try to explore the notion of childhood obesity in a holistic context. The main focus of the research is on problems of childhood obesity and its effects on the health of an individual. This research also analyzes many aspects of childhood obesity and finds the reasons that cause obesity in early years of an individual's life. However, in order to analyze the causes and development of the childhood obesity, we have developed a questionnaire and on basis of that solution has been advices to the parents.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

Background1

Purpose of the Report1

Method of Inquiry3

Limitation of the report7

Scope of the Inquiry10

Proposed Solutions10

Data collection13

Conclusion14

References15

Appendix17

Table of Contents

Figure 1.12

Figure 1.24

Figure 1.35

Figure 1.412

Child Obesity

Background

In many countries obesity among children has acquired epidemic proportions. According to World Health Organization, 22 million children under five children are overweight worldwide. Childhood obesity is a state where surplus body fat depressingly influences the health of the child. In order to measure the body fat a method is developed which diagnosis the obesity known as Body Mass Index (BMI), as it is difficult to directly measure the fat of the body. This has been regarded as a serious public health in United States. However, around 16 and 33 percent of adolescents and children are suffering from obesity. Moreover, overweight has been used rather than obese for the children as it is less stigmatizing (Wright, 2000).

Purpose of the Report

A child who is overweight will not automatically be obese in adulthood. However, several studies suggest that after the age of 8, there is indeed a link between the child's weight and weight in adulthood. Several health risks are associated with overweight in children which include hypertension, diabetes, joint problems, cardiovascular disease, gallstones, osteoarthritis and sleep apnea syndrome. Some studies have also suggested a link between obesity and forms of cancer. In addition to these physical problems, overweight children are often rejected from other children and are more likely to have poor self-esteem.

The problem mostly affects those who aged 6-13 years, although it affects mostly the males than females with a primary focus in the south than in central and northern regions. Childhood obesity is due to a number of reasons: poor nutrition, genetic predisposition, lifestyle (often too sedentary), family environment and socioeconomic conditions. A child is considered obese when their weight exceeds 20% of their ideal weight (Power C, 2006). Children who start with obesity in first six months up to seventh years of life has 40 % likelihood of remaining obese during adulthood is 40%, while for those who were obese between ten and thirteen years the odds are 70%, because the cells that store fat are multiplied in this stage of life which the child increases the likelihood of being obese as an adult.

Figure 1.1

Method of Inquiry

In order to investigate regarding the childhood obesity, I have studied scholar articles along with the parents of the children who are suffering from obesity. I l have analyzed the entire data which comprises of primary and ...