Reducing childhood obesity initiative
Childhood obesity has risen to epidemic levels in the United States over the last 30 years (Ogden, Carroll, Kit, & Flegal, 2014). Children are considered obese if their body mass index (BMI) is above the 95thpercentile based on their age and height. Because of their weight, obese children experience considerable clinical and psychological consequences. These include social anxiety disorders, depression, diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, renal disease, and heart disease (Freedman, Mei, Srinivasan, Berenson, & Dietz, 2007). These health consequences accentuate the importance of early identification of these children so interventions can be developed to help curb this problem. As obese children grow into adulthood, there is a lasting impact on the cost of healthcare in the United States. A study by Finkelstein, Wan Chen Kong, & Malhotra (2014) suggests that, as obese children become obese adults, their lifetime healthcare costs rise proportionately. Cawley (2010) notes that in private health plans, non-obese individuals often absorb the costs of treating obesity-related illnesses, by paying higher premiums. There are many factors contributing to the rise of childhood obesity including increased television viewing time and decreased levels of physical activity (Beales and Kulick, 2013). Health initiative goals should focus on early identification of children at risk, identification of barriers to proper health practices, and the development of school and community based health programs. To aid in identifying those at risk, a Simple Childhood Obesity Screening Tool was created. This tool uses a child’s age, height, weight, and sex in order to screen children for obesity based on their BMI. This simple screening tool is ideal for use at church health fairs, doctor’s offices, and school health screenings. Once overweight and obese children are identified, behavioral counseling and interventions need to be created targeting the children and parents or guardians. If this childhood obesity is not addressed urgently, this population will continue to experience significant morbidity.
Thank you, Dave A. Dave D. Trevor B. and Wayne D.
References:
Beales III, J. H., & Kulick, R. (2013). Does Advertising on Television Cause Childhood Obesity? A Longitudinal Analysis. Journal of Public Policy & Marketing, 32(2), 185-194. http://dx.doi.org/10.1509/jppm.11.051
Finkelstein, E. A., Wan Chen Kang, G., & Malhotra, R. (2014). Lifetime direct medical costs of childhood obesity. Pediatrics, 133(5), 854 - 862. http://dx.doi.org/10.1542/peds.2014-0063
Freedman, D. S., Mei, Z., Srinivasan, S. R., Berenson, G. S., & Dietz, W. H. (2007). Cardiovascular risk factors and excess adiposity among overweight children and adolescent: The Bogalusa heart study. The Journal of Pediatrics, 15012 - 17.e2. doi:10.1016/j.jpeds.2006.08.042
Ogden, C. L., Carroll, M. D., Kit, B. K., & Flegal, K. M. (2014). Prevalence of childhood and adult obesity in the United States, 2011 - 2012. Journal of the American Medical Association, 311(8), 806 - 814. http://dx.doi.org/10.1097/01.sa.0000451505.72517.a5
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