Reducing Obesity In School Aged Children And Adolescents Ages 6

Reducing Obesity in School Aged Children and Adolescents ages 6-11:
Small Changes to Make Improvements
Ashley N. Rollins
National College of Business and Technology
NUR 103
Instructor: Denise Clements

Abstract
Healthy People 2020 and campaign launched to make possible improvements in the nations health status. NWS 10.2 Reducing the population of children and adolescents ages 6 -11 who are considered obese, has been implemented as tool to lower the incidence of obesity, and to lessen the occurrence of comorbidities in adulthood. This paper will dicuss ways and plans that have been put into place in the Pike County KY, area to help improve this issue.
Reducing Obesity in School Aged Children and Adolescents ages 6-11:
Small Changes to Make Improvements
Obesity is a growing problem among children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 11 years. According to the NHANES survey approximately 18% or 12 million children in this age range are overweight (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Being overweight during childhood and adolescences may increase the risk of developing high cholesterol hypertension, respiratory ailments, orthopedic problems, depression and Type 2 diabetes (Kids Health, 2014). In response to the high incidence of childhood obesity Healthy People 2020 has developed an objective to help decrease these statistics (Healthy People 2020, 2013).

Understanding the causes of childhood obesity can provide the opportunity to help decrease the amount of individuals within this age group who are obese or at risk. Obesity in children is generally caused by the lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns or a combination of the two. In general these children are eating more away from home, with the majority of meals being served from schools (Lin, BH, 2005). Also, with the increase use of computers, social networking, television, and video games the amount of physical activity has decreased, ultimately leading to and intake of calories that outweighs the child’s expenditure of calories.

In an interview with Amy Sweeny the principal of Bevins Elementary, she stated “ In correlation with the Pike County Board of Education, the area schools have implemented new standards of breakfast and lunch programs. The meals served to students go hand and hand with My Plate dietary guidelines, which include offering fruits and vegetable, whole grains, fat free or low fat milk and a protein source for each meal served. Sugary high caloric beverages such ad sodas are no longer available for purchase by the students and we also offer healthier snacks.” She also added, “A physical education class is required for each student to take along with their other curriculum, the class is twice a week and last 45 minutes.”

Local hospitals and doctor’s office are also playing an important role in helping to reduce the obesity rate among children and adolescents. There are many programs and educational resources that can be utilized. These resources include educational classes offered through the hospital to assist parents with ideas for outdoor activities and exercises that can be done together as a family, they also provide classes that are geared toward meal preparation. “It’s all about family environment,” stated Dr. Chad Fite Pediatrician at ARH South Williamson, KY, “ If the parents are involved its easier for the child to be active. Parents can take their kids to the park or just outside to play, the amount of time spent inside in front of a screen has got to be limited, or our children are going be young adults with serious health problems.” Also, within the community there are many youth sports that are offerd, these sports are not school affiliated, and can be done throughout the year. The Belfry Area Youth Leagues offber baseball, soccer, basketball, and football to the area children to keep them active and involved. Physical activity plays a key role in reducing obesity. The estimated Population in Kentucky in 2014 is 4,339,367; 23.6% of that population was reported to be children and adolescents between the ages of 6-11 who are overweight or obese, and 17% of that number reported no physical activity at all. (Centers of Disease Control and Prevention, KY, 2014)

Kentucky however is responding to the obesity problem. The Kentucky department of Public health Obesity Prevention program awarded $69,000 in grants to twelve counties as part of the Farm to School Program, which connects schools and local farms with the goal of serving healthy meals in school cafeterias while also supporting local farmers.( Center of Disease Controll and Prevention, Ky, 2014) This program also places teams within the school that consist of food service employees, teachers, and farmers as a way to educate children about what they eat.

In addition to the programs that are offered by the school and in the communities the Kentucky Cabinet for health and Family Services is focusing its activities to increase the daily physical activities in after school child care settings. This goal is to project and add requirements for daily physical activity in care setting via child care licensing regulations or state legislation, that do not add to financial impact. ( Centers for Disease Control, KY 2014.)

If these programs and activities are utilized by the communities and the schools in the area the population of children and adolescents ages 6-11 who are or at risk for obesity can be drastically reduced. However it cannot be left up to the children to make these changes for themselves, the parents, teachers and care givers also play an important role in the food these children eat and also getting these children up, and getting them active!

Reference
CDC, Division of Adolescents and School Health The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior suvey http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/ky
.
CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. 2010 Pediatric Nutrition
Survallience System. Avaiable online at http:/www.cdc.gov/pednss/pedndd_tables/ table_health_indicators.htm Fite, Chad MD ( 2014 May 6) Pediatrician South Williamson ARH (A. Rollins interviewer)
Children health statistics (2013) Retreived from http:/www.Kidshealth.com/obesity
Lin, BH, Gulthereu, FrazoE 2005 Quality of Childrens Diets. Family Economics and Nutrition Review pg. 2-10
U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2013 November 13) Healthy People.gov Weight and Nutrition Status, Reterived from Healthy People.gov http://www.healtypeople.gov/2020/data/searchresult.aspx?topicid=29&topic=nutrition and weight.
Sweeny, Amy (2014 May 7) Principal Bevins Elementary (A.Rollins interviewer.)

References
CDC, Division of Adolescents and School Health The 2009 Youth Risk Behavior suvey http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/ky
.
CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. 2010 Pediatric Nutrition
Survallience System. Avaiable online at http:/www.cdc.gov/pednss/pedndd_tables/ table_health_indicators.htm Fite, Chad MD ( 2014 May 6) Pediatrician South Williamson ARH (A. Rollins interviewer)
Children health statistics (2013) Retreived from http:/www.Kidshealth.com/obesity
Lin, BH, Gulthereu, FrazoE 2005 Quality of Childrens Diets. Family Economics and Nutrition Review pg. 2-10
U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2013 November 13) Healthy People.gov Weight and Nutrition Status, Reterived from Healthy People.gov http://www.healtypeople.gov/2020/data/searchresult.aspx?topicid=29&topic=nutrition and weight.
Sweeny, Amy (2014 May 7) Principal Bevins Elementary (A.Rollins interviewer.)

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References: CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity. 2010 Pediatric Nutrition Survallience System Children health statistics (2013) Retreived from http:/www.Kidshealth.com/obesity Lin, BH, Gulthereu, FrazoE 2005 Quality of Childrens Diets Review pg. 2-10 U.S Department of Health and Human Services (2013 November 13) Healthy People.gov Sweeny, Amy (2014 May 7) Principal Bevins Elementary (A.Rollins interviewer.) Footnotes