This article discussed a meta-analytic review of obesity in children as well as obesity prevention program for both adolescents and children. According to the article, obesity in both adolescents and children is on the rise. This is especially true over the last 3 decades. There are significant adverse side effects related to health and wellness with an increase in body fat or weight. This is true for adults as well as adolescents and children. Children and adolescents who are overweight tend to be overweight as adults according to the findings in this article. It is an alarming 70% of overweight or obese children and adolescents carry their weight issues into adulthood. The risks for health related problems such as high blood pressure, coronary heart disease, and diabetes mellitus is greatly increased in overweight and obese individuals. These health issues are just to name a few.
There are been several treatments for overweight and obese children and adolescents. However, most of these programs have not been very successful in reducing the weight. Only approximately 10% of overweight and obese adolescents and children seek weight loss treatment. Several types of programs have been tried such as: 1) programs that target obesity along with other risk factors for cardiovascular disease, 2) prevention programs that focus only on weight loss and the prevention of obesity, 3) interventions focused on only increasing physical activity, and 4) healthy eating habits to prevent weight gain and maintenance of a healthy weight. There were studies focused on both genders as well as being gender specific. According to the research presented in the article, boys seem to be the most successful in the various types of treatment programs. This is especially true for increasing physical activity programs. However, in order for either gender to be successful there must be the willing participation and desire on the part of the adolescent or child participating in the treatment program.
I found this article slightly difficult to read and understand. There was a lot of data and different research studies discussed. The use of statistical language and massive amounts of data made it difficult to understand and keep my attention while reading it. However, I did find a lot of useful and alarming information relating to adolescent and childhood obesity. This is an area in health prevention that must be addressed and focused on in the future.
In conclusion, this meta-analytic review indicates that most weight gain treatment programs and intervention do not prevent weight gain in adolescents and children. Unfortunately, the small portion of programs that are slightly successful, do not have great results. The rate of adolescent and childhood obesity continues to be on the rise with significant negative impact on the health and wellness of children leading into adulthood. There has been significant progress in the health prevention programs related to obesity but there is still more to do. The link between obesity and disease must be considered and addressed in weight reduction and maintenance programs.
You May Also Find These Documents Helpful
-
Daniels, S., R., Arnett, D. K., Eckel, R.H., Giddings, S., S. Hayman, L. L., Kumanyika, S (2005) Overweight in children and adolescents: Pathophysiology, consequences, prevention and treatment. Circulation, Vol.111, p: 1999-2012.…
- 2396 Words
- 10 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Are you aware that one out of every five (5) children in the United States considered either overweight or obese (BusinessWeek, 2005)? Alternatively, those on average of one in every three adults are also considered obese (Mayo Clinic, 1998-2009)? Obesity has risen dramatically and at an alarming rate within the past few decades, almost tripling since the 1960’s. An average of 25 to 30% of children are affected by obesity and overweight each year and yet, this condition remains to be under diagnosed and untreated (Moran, 1999). In order to reverse this devastating epidemic one must better understand the causes, affects, and the ways of preventing obesity before it is too late. Obesity can and should be prevented to better the lives of our, children and, ourselves; obesity not only affects ones health but mental and physical well-being as well.…
- 3078 Words
- 13 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Lobstien, T; Baur, L; Uauy, R (2004). Obesity in children and young people: A crisis in public health. Obesity reviews, vol. 5 issue supplement. Pages 4-85.…
- 1521 Words
- 7 Pages
Powerful Essays -
These programs provide a more comprehensive review of childhood obesity prevention by utilizing alternative parameters and different locations. All three of these programs were successful in meeting their goals and can be accessed through the “References” page at the end of this packet.…
- 5870 Words
- 24 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity : How Do We Measure Up?, National Academies Press, Jeffrey P…
- 2570 Words
- 11 Pages
Best Essays -
Today, children and adolescents battling obesity has become an epidemic and is continuingly growing for the past two decades. According to the Centers for Disease Control, “The percentage of children aged 6-11 years in the Unites States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010 and from 5% to 18% with adolescents of 12-19 years of age”. Obesity is defined as an excessively high amount of body fat in relation to lean body mass. Children that are overweight or obese are at high risks of developing health problems as well as mental health issues.…
- 664 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays -
Childhood obesity has become an epidemic in the United States. Over the past few years overweight and obese children have increased at an alarming rate and there seems to be no slowing down unless some type of action is taken soon. The fast food industry offers poor nutritional food and continues to encourage children to regularly eat the unhealthy foods and also encourage parents by making these “kids Meal” affordable. Unfortunately televisions, computers, and video games, are also contributing to our epidemic. Technology has taken over the importance of exercise. Obese children not only have unhealthy weights but they can also suffer from weak lungs and poor blood quality. Although, this epidemic is growing quickly there are ways that we can try to prevent them. We can attempt to get children to eat healthy, balanced and nutritional meals. We can also help slow it down by encouraging them to take part in varies physical activity. Cutting of or monitoring the usage of televisions, computers, and video games.…
- 1029 Words
- 3 Pages
Better Essays -
Obesity in children has nearly doubled for preschoolers and more than tripled for children aged six to eleven during this time period and there is no end in sight. There are nearly one third of children and adolescents between the ages of 6 and 19 that are overweight or are in great risk of becoming obese. This means that nearly 1 out of 3 kids is nearing or considered obese! Also, there are some groups of children that are more prone to becoming overweight. The most likely group to become obese is Mexican American boys with 42.8% of them aged 6 to 19 overweight. In females 40.1% of African American girls are overweight or at risk of becoming…
- 842 Words
- 4 Pages
Good Essays -
Since 1980, obese children in America have more than tripled in rate. Approximately one out of three American children is affected by obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Many factors contribute to this epidemic outcome. The following paragraphs will explore these factors such as how the disease is caused and what causes the disease in American children. This research paper will also present how to prevent and control obesity in children, the rise of cost of medical bills, and how being obese can affect the human body mentally and physically.…
- 2455 Words
- 10 Pages
Better Essays -
Obesity, especially in children, is growing at an alarming rate. Today 1 in 3 children is considered obese or overweight. When children start their lives by eating junk food it is more than likely they will continue this habit throughout adulthood. This causes an increase in the severity of the disease as well as some diseases one can get from becoming obese. Several complications accompany obesity. A few common complications include the following: risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes type II, cancer, hardening of the arteries, heart attack and stroke. Other complications are a greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatization and poor…
- 1439 Words
- 6 Pages
Best Essays -
Braunstein, D, G, M.D. (2010). Childhood obesity: An epidemic that 's growing up fast. Retrieved from…
- 1040 Words
- 5 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
According to the Center for Disease Control (Overweight and Obesity Data and Statistics), obesity in children has more than tripled in the United States in the last 30 years. This equates to one third of all children and adolescence in America being obese. This is an alarming trend as it paints a very morbid picture for the future of the nation. Obese children are more likely to develop cardiovascular disease and diabetes than children who maintain a healthy weight.…
- 1074 Words
- 5 Pages
Powerful Essays -
The purpose of this paper is to discuss the increased amount of children suffering from obesity and why it is a major health concern in the United States. It will explain in detail what childhood obesity is, the important contributing factors which cause the condition, and what types of preventative actions can be implemented into schools and at home. The overall conclusion is that this can be solved with education, increasing physical activity and developing nutritional programs at a young age.…
- 2052 Words
- 9 Pages
Powerful Essays -
Childhood obesity has become a major problem in America. Obesity is a bigger threat in children than it was in the past. Obesity contribute too many of the physical and psychological disorders seem in children. Children are more likely to become overweight adults if they do not practice good eating habits and exercise. Over the past few years, obesity has been increasing at an alarming rate due to technology, unhealthy food choices and lack of physical activity. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), childhood obesity has more than tripled in the past 30 years. “The percentage of children aged 6 to 11 years who were obese in 1980 was 7 percent and by 2012 it had grown to 18 percent. The percentage of adolescents…
- 263 Words
- 2 Pages
Satisfactory Essays -
The researchers point out that a third of high blood pressure cases and 88 to 97% of cases of type II diabetes are a result of obesity. Furthermore, their research draws attention to the correlation between obesity and congestive heart failure, heart attack, sudden cardiac death, abnormal heart rhythms, and how high cholesterol and hypertension in overweight individuals place them at even a greater risk of stroke. The authors add, in a population based sample 70% of obese youths had at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Although the research points out a strong link between obesity and many chronic diseases, it is a health issue that can be prevented by encouraging children to practice regular exercise and to focus on choosing healthier foods for their…
- 565 Words
- 3 Pages
Good Essays