Research that Benefits Children and Families—Uplifting Stories

Making the World thinner..... the skinny on Childhood obesity.










"Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or wellbeing. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI. Due to the rising prevalence of obesity in children and its many adverse health effects it is being recognized as a serious public health concern."http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Childhood_obesity

As a previous WIC nutritionist for two years, I personally saw the effects of Early childhood obesity. My mothers over feed their infants and small children daily. This creates a serious issue in our country. These overweight children will become over weight adults if something does not change. This research is based on to cluster groups. One group will receive nutritional education ( nutrition plans, etc). The second group will continue to eat what they normally would eat.The subjects will be from the ages of 1 year old- 4 year old.

This research will educate children on a health lifestyle changes.

"Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.1, 2
The percentage of children aged 6–11 years in the United States who were obese increased from 7% in 1980 to nearly 18% in 2010. Similarly, the percentage of adolescents aged 12–19 years who were obese increased from 5% to 18% over the same period.1, 2
In 2010, more than one third of children and adolescents were overweight or obese.1
Overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors.3 Obesity is defined as having excess body fat.4
Overweight and obesity are the result of “caloric imbalance”—too few calories expended for the amount of calories consumed—and are affected by various genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors.5,6"(CDC)

This research will also teach the families that risks of this. "Healthy lifestyle habits, including healthy eating and physical activity, can lower the risk of becoming obese and developing related diseases.6
The dietary and physical activity behaviors of children and adolescents are influenced by many sectors of society, including families, communities, schools, child care settings, medical care providers, faith-based institutions, government agencies, the media, and the food and beverage industries and entertainment industries.
Schools play a particularly critical role by establishing a safe and supportive environment with policies and practices that support healthy behaviors. Schools also provide opportunities for students to learn about and practice healthy eating and physical activity behaviors."(CDC)

With the education and the know how to do better, these children will have a brighter disease free, and healthy children.



Resources

http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm