NUTRITIONAL HEALTH/OBESITY PREVETNTION

Nutritional Health/Obesity Prevention for Age Group 2-5yrs

Nutritional Health/Obesity Prevention for Age Group 2-5yrs

Introduction

Obesity is a chronic disease characterized by excess fat, which can be establish an early age in life and is difficult to reverse, so that its prevalence increases with increasing age. T he health consequences of being overweight are severe and lead to decreased longevity and quality of life. Overweight and obesity have become one of the most prevalent medical conditions affecting the well-being of children. (Jeanne, and Linda, 2008, 226) Childhood obesity is a concern in America, and this guide is to help anyone who needs information about how to help prevent or reverse this epidemic. Yes, I did say help a child. This is not just an act or a mission on my part; this is a chance to help every kid that may be suffering from obesity. Children need your help, no matter if you are a mom, dad, brother or sister.

No matter who you are to this child you wish to help, you will be making the biggest difference in their life (Kasgorgis, 2001). Among those 5 years and older, the averse annual population weight gain assonated with the recent obesity epidemic in the country was 6.75 million pounds. (Christopher, 2009, 1683) According to the World Health Organization (WHO), obesity and overweight have reached epidemic characters worldwide. More one billion adults are overweight, including the least 300 million are obese. The problem is enhanced when consider the dire consequences that excess weight leads to health: Obesity can reduce life expectancy of a person to in 10 years and cause death and, from another angle, is a high economic burden to society (Cullen, 2002).

Causes

Weight-gain occurs if the dietary energy consumed is greater than the physical energy expended over the same period. The causes of this energy imbalance are multifactorial and may be attributed to genetic, biological, psychosocial, sociocultural and environmental factors. (Alison,

2009, 172)

Many times, parents will not recognize when their child has a weight problem. The reality is that we have an epidemic of childhood obesity in the US. But there are people you can turn to for help managing your child's health. More than 16- percent of children under age two in Tulare County are obese. Among two- to five- year olds, about 32- percent are overweight or obese. Angela cautions parents, unhealthy eating habits, learned during childhood will often carry over into adulthood. “Those who end up being obese or overweight as children tend to be overweight and obese as adults, which mean they have a higher risk of obtaining health diseases, risks such as heart disease, cardiovascular disease, stroke, diabetes and high blood; pressure. Both of which can happen in early childhood, as well.” (Valassi 2009, 68)

When it comes to overweight and obesity, many times parents do not recognize there is a problem. “A lot of times they come to me and say, 'I had no idea. I did not ...