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Name: Betsy Amaro

Date: October 23, 2010 Article Name: Childhood obesity, prevalence, and prevention Course: CMP 230 Professor: V. Harris M.ED. Article URL:http://www.nutritionj.com/content/4/1/24

Article Summary: "Childhood obesity is very high in developed countries. Twenty five percent of children in the United States are overweight and eleven percent are obese" (Dehghan,Aktar-Danesh, & Merchant, 2005 p.1) Obesity or overweight is defined as a person having too much body fat. This fat is very dangerous for any child. Children are eating more and exercising less. Health concerns are very common for children who are overweight starting with hypertension, abnormal glucose tolerance and infertility. In the long run these children may suffer from depression.

Children whoa re obese will struggle to take the weight off, if it is not taken care of when young. "Although the mechanism of obesity development is not fully understood, it is confirmed that obesity occurs when energy intake exceeds energy expenditure" (Dehghan,Aktar-Danesh, & Merchant 2005 p. 3). Many times the reason why these children are obese is because it runs in the family or because of the family's lifestyle.Studies have shown that children who sit in front of a television and don't go outside and play are more obese than those who go outside on a regular basis. Lack of physical education in schools is another reason why children are not getting the adequate amount of exercise needed.

The obesity of children is nationwide. Children who are overweight often come from parents who are overweight themselves. Researchers are trying to deal with these obese children by using strategies of diet and exercise, but the results are minimal. One intervention strategy that was suggested in this article was to make up a schedule that is broken down into parts according to importance. For example, "build an environment, physical activity, TV watching, and food sector" (Dehghan, Aktar-Danesh, & Merchant 2005 p.7). Child obesity is increasing very rapidly, and it can have an impact on physical and psychological health. Physical activities and diets are a must for children who are obese. The chances of these children having heart problems are very high as they get older. Coming up with a plan to have less food consumed and more physical activities is a great benefit.

Parents are the major influencators for their children. We have to model healthy eating habits and lots of physical activities. (Examples, walks to the park, walks around the block). Changing our eating habits can help too. I have seen the way some children eat and they are not eating healthy. Too many chips, lunchables, and sodas are being consumed. Early intervention prevents children from having all these problems when they are older. The problems can also occur as a child. We want children to live a healthy life.
 * Reflection: ** Child obesity will always be an issue everywhere. I feel that early supervision on the child’s eating habits may put a stop to child obesity. Making sure that healthy foods are given and plenty of exercise is included in their daily lives. Now a day’s children either sit in front of a television or play with electronic devices.