1

Adolescents and Children with Obesity

Student’s Name

Institution Affiliation

Course

Tutor

Date
 2

Adolescents and Children with Obesity

Question 1

Obesity among adolescents and children is a major public health issue in the U.S. Over

the last 30 years, the incidence of obesity has almost doubled in children and tripled in teenagers.

Obesity is now estimated to affect 17% of all children and adolescents in the U.S., which

represents a significant increase from just a few years ago. The increase in obesity has been

accompanied by a corresponding increase in the prevalence of obesity-related health issues, such

as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and hypertension.

Childhood obesity has major health repercussions that can last a lifetime. Obese children

are more inclined to become obese adults, and adult obesity is linked to various chronic health

issues such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers. In addition, obese

children and adolescents are at risk for a number of immediate health problems, such as

orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems.

The increase in childhood obesity is a complex problem with no single cause. A number

of factors have been implicated, including genetics, diet, physical activity, and the built

environment. Whatever the cause, childhood obesity is a serious problem with significant public

health implications.

Question 2

Obesity is a condition in which a person has too much body fat. Obesity can affect any age

group, but it is particularly common in children. The incidence of childhood obesity in the

US has more than tripled in the previous 30 years. In 2016, almost one in every five school-aged

youngsters (ages 6 to 19) was fat. Obesity prevalence in children varies by race and ethnicity.
 3

Obesity was most prevalent in Hispanic children (22.4 percent) in 2016, followed by non-

Hispanic black children (20.2 percent), non-Hispanic white children (14.1 percent), and non-

Hispanic Asian children (9.2 percent ). The case fatality of obesity is the number of deaths that

are caused by obesity. In the United States, obesity is responsible for about 18,000 deaths each

year.

Question 3

The likelihood of children developing obesity is influenced by many factors. One

important factor is the relative risk of obesity in their parents. If one parent is obese, the child's

threat of obesity is about two-fold higher than if neither parent is obese. Obesity is four times

more likely in a kid if both parents are obese.

Other important factors include the child's birth weight, diet, and level of physical

activity. For example, children who are born with a high birth weight (over 8 pounds) are at

increased risk of obesity. Children who consume a high-fat, high-sugar diet are also at increased

risk. And physically inactive children are at increased risk as well.

The relative risk of obesity can be calculated by taking the ratio of the probability of

obesity in the exposed group (children with one or two obese parents) to the probability of

obesity in the unexposed group (children with no obese parents). The relative risk of obesity is

therefore two (or four) times higher in children with one or two obese parents compared to

children with no obese parents. Other important factors influence the relative risk of obesity in

children, but parental obesity is one of them.

The likelihood of adolescents developing obesity is relative to their risk factors. Some

risk factors cannot be changed, such as family history and ethnicity. However, many risk factors
 4

can be changed, such as diet and physical activity. Diet is a major issue in the prevalence of

obesity. A diet high in calories, fat, and sugar can lead to weight gain and obesity. A healthy diet

comprises plenty of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains and is low in calories, fat, and sugar.

Physical activity is another important factor in the development of obesity. Physically

active adolescents are less probable to be obese than those who are inactive. Physical activity can

help to control weight, prevent weight gain, and reduce the risk of obesity. Many other factors

can contribute to the development of obesity in adolescents, including stress, sleep, and

medications. Adolescents with any of these risk factors are more likely to develop obesity than

those without any of these risk factors.

Question 4

1. Children

i. Reduce the portion size of meals served in schools.

 When: Primary prevention

 Who: Population

 How: Invention

ii. Increase the number of physical education classes in schools.

 When: Primary prevention

 Who: Population

 How: Education

iii. Encourage parents to cook more meals at home.

 When: Primary prevention

 5

 Who: Population

 How: Education

2. Adolescents

i. Increasing physical activity:

 When: secondary, primary, tertiary prevention

 Who: at-risk group, individual, population

 How: motivation, education, invention, obligation

ii. Reducing screen time:

 When: secondary, primary, tertiary prevention

 Who: population, at-risk group, individual,

 How: motivation, invention, education, obligation,

iii. Healthy eating:

 When: secondary, primary, tertiary prevention

 Who: at-risk group, individual, population

 How: invention, motivation, education, obligation,

Question 5

Interventions that have the potential to be most effective in addressing obesity in children

are those that emphasize on increasing physical activity and improving dietary habits.

Interventions that focus on cultivating dietary habits can help children to develop healthier eating
 6

habits that can last a lifetime. Some advantages of this kind of intervention include that it can be

designed to the child’s needs, it can be delivered in a variety of settings, and it has the potential

to solve other health concerns such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. A disadvantage

of this type of intervention is that it requires a commitment from the child and their family to

make changes to their eating habits, which can be difficult to sustain over time.

Interventions that focus on increasing physical activity can help children to become more

active and to develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Some advantages of this type of

intervention include that it can be delivered in a variety of settings, it does not require a

commitment from the child or their family to make changes to their eating habits, and it has the

potential to address other health issues such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure. A

disadvantage of this type of intervention is that it may be challenging to sustain over time if the

child does not enjoy the activities that are offered.

Question 6

Many strategies can be used to increase physical activity and prevent obesity in children.

One approach is to promote physical activity through after-school programs, sports teams, and

other extracurricular activities. Another strategy is to increase the number of physical education

classes offered in schools or to make these classes mandatory. Additionally, community-based

programs that offer safe places for children to be active can be effective. Finally, parents and

guardians can be encouraged to model healthy behaviors and to make sure that their children

have opportunities to be physically active every day.

In improving dietary habits the first strategy is to increase the availability of healthy food

options. This can be done by ensuring that healthy foods are stocked in vending machines and
 7

cafeteria lineups, and by providing incentives for eating healthy foods. The second strategy is to

educate children on the importance of healthy eating habits. This can be done through classroom

lessons, after-school programs, and community outreach initiatives. The third strategy is to

create opportunities for physical activity. This can be done by providing safe places to play,

organizing sports teams and clubs, and increasing the number of recesses.

There are many reasons why improving dietary habits in children would be an effective

approach to preventing obesity. First, children who eat healthy diets are more likely to maintain a

healthy weight as they grow older. Second, healthy eating habits can help prevent the

development of chronic ailments such as stroke, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease, which are all

associated with obesity. Third, children who eat healthy diets are more likely to have higher

levels of energy and perform better in school. Finally, healthy eating habits can help reduce the

likelihood of developing psychological problems such as depression and anxiety, which are also

associated with obesity.