Childhood obesity: causes, health effects, and prevention strategies

Child Obesity

Children are the future of every nation. The importance of children can be determined by the following statement:

'Children are vital to the nation's present and its future.'(National Research Council, 2001).

As we advances into time, the awareness of health is increasing among people. Since few years, an issue of child obesity has come into limelight. In past years, being overweight was considered equivalent of being healthy, but as time proceeded, the health related issues caught attention. The main aim of this research is to identify the possible cause of child obesity, in order to deal with them effectively.

Obesity is not a disease itself; it is the cause of many diseases. Some very common diseases that an individual can gain due to obesity are heart diseases, diabetes, hypertension and in some case even cancer. Even if these diseases are rules out, obesity can led to fatigue and laziness in children which can contribute in less physical activity, less participation in academic and recreational activities and inferiority complex among children.

'Young people are also at risk if developing serious psychosocial burdens related to being obese in a society that stigmatizes this condition. (Institute of Medicine of the National Academies, 2005).

Significance of the problem:

A healthy population of children helps a nation to grow and prosper. Childhood obesity has now taken a form of an epidemic rather than solely being a disorder. Lack of physical activities, aggressive promotion activities by the fast food chain and eating limitlessly in restaurants and food chains are all contributing to this menace.

The main concern is not only about obesity, but the threatening diseases that results due to this problem.

'Obesity is not simply a concern about size and appearance.'(Poskitt.E and Edmunds. L, 2008)

Objective of the research:

The main objective of this research is to determine the main causes that are leading to child obesity among children. With the help of research finding, one can develop strategies and programs that will help to control and eliminate this issue.

Hypothesis of the study:

The hypotheses of the research are as follows:

If physical activity is increased in children's daily routine, then the rate of child obesity can decrease.

If school menus are prepared according to the nutritional requirement of the children, then child obesity can decrease.

If children are more socially active, then the child obesity can be controlled.

If food additives and artificial flavors are controlled, then child obesity can decrease.

Methodology:

The methodology that will be adopted for this research report will consist of two types:

1. Primary Sources: Primary data of this research will be collected through books.

2. Secondary Sources: Internet websites and scholarly articles will be used as secondary source in obtaining data for this research report.

Preliminary findings

The initial findings of this research are as follows:

The trend of parents and schools providing empty calories in the form of junk foods and carbohydrate rich foods are a major contributor of weight gain in kids.

Lack of physical activities of children usually because of working parents

An aggressive publicity campaign by the fast food restaurants and their incentive of giving toys and other gifts to the children upon buying food products is also a very important factor in increasing obesity among children.