Child Development and Public Health- Obesity
As I thought about public health issues that specifically affect young children, I decided to do some research on obesity. We have noticed a higher percentage of children enrolling in Head Start that are clearly over weight and /or obese. The information I found stated that the incidence of obesity in young children is on the rise. In the United States, a recent study found that 31% of the children involved in the study were overweight or obese. It was noted that several factors contributed to the rise. The research pointed out that children are more sedentary often lacking in adequate outdoor playtime.(Kimbro,R., Brooks-Gunn, J. & McLananhan, S., 2011) Physical activity is important for the general well being of all of us but is especially important for young children. The increase in the time children spend watching television has had a negative impact. The Nestle Institute conducted the Nestle Feeding Infants and Toddlers Study and concluded that 10% of children ages 2 through 5 are categorized as obese. Their findings went on to state that poor eating habits begin developing as young a 12 months. More specifically, their diets consist of too many calories from solid fats and processed sugar and not enough fruits, vegetables and whole grains.(Nestle Nutrition Institute, 2011) During these early years, it is a parent’s responsibility to introduce healthy eating patterns. This becomes problematic if the parents themselves do not eat healthy. The cycle perpetuates. At about 12 months of age, about 1/3 of a child’s calories come from snacks provided between meals. When these snacks are not from healthy food groups such as fruits and vegetables, the tendency for the child to be overweight or obese is greater.
Poor eating habits coupled with a lack of physical activity have made the public health issue of obesity prevalent not only in the United State but also in the United Kingdom. A study done in 2008/2009 found one in ten young children to be obese and noted that in addition to the health issues that can be attributed to obesity, the psychosocial issues become a major issue for young children. (Rees, R.,Oliver, K. Woodman,J. & Thomas, J.,2001) Differences in body size begin to be notices even among children that young.
It is important that the parents and caregiversare properly educated to help children develop healthy eating habits. As early childhood educators, we should do whatever we can to help parents understand the importance of healthy eating and also providing opportunities for their children to be physically active. The balance is what will break the cycle and help children maintain an appropriate body weight.
Rees, R.,Oliver, K., Woodman, J. & Thomas, J..(2011). The views of young children in the UK about obesity, body size, shape and weight: a systematic review. BioMed Central public Health, 11:188 Retrieved November 8, 2011 from http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/188
Nestle Nutrition Institute Reveals New Findings From Landmark Nestle Feeding Infants and Toddlers study (FITS) at obesity 2011; New Data Shows Alarming Dietary Patterns Developing as Early as 12-24 months. PR Newswire. New York: October 3, 2011.
Kimbro Tolbert ,R., Brooks-Gunn, Jeanne, & McLanahan, Sara, . (2011). Young children in urban areas: Links among neighborhood characteristics, weight status, outdoor play, and television watching. Social Science and Medicine. 72, 668-676. Retrieved November 9, 2011 from journal homepage: www.elsevier.com/locate/socscimed
Judi,
ReplyDeleteI really appreciate you speaking on this important topic. I think that with our society today, everything is just too easy. We don’t have to even get up off the sofa to turn the television channel. Just lift the remote and push some buttons. As parents and teachers we have to make sure that we not only get kids actively involved, but that we show them how. My husband is a triathlete and runs in a few 5K and 10K races. One of our 5 year old child care children asked to go run with him a few months back. This Thanksgiving they are going to run in the children’s 1K Turkey Trot in Fort Worth, Texas together. This child is so very excited and last week he told me “I wish my daddy would run with me.” They have been practicing for the last few months and it has been so good for both of them. They walk more than they run, but the goal of this is not to win the race but rather to enjoy it and have fun getting some exercise together.
Great post. Thank you.
Rhonda
http://www.fwtrot.org/course.html
Hi Judi, the obesity in young children is an epidemic. In my Early Head Start program we are seeing an increasing number of overweight children at age 2. We are education our parents on healthy eating habits and participating in the Let’s Move Childcare Campaign. You can find more information on the campaign on http://healthykidshealthyfuture.org/welcome.html
ReplyDeleteThanks,
Andrea
Hi Judi,
ReplyDeleteThe percentage of overweight children in the U.S. is alarming. Especially young children that are unable to make healthy food choices on their own. It is the adults that need to set the example and provide nutritious meals and snacks for these young children. In our head start program, we have implemented an I am Learning, I am Moving program. In the classroom we make sure that we get 90 minutes of exercise each day. This includes gross motor time, dancing, exercising,etc. Anything that "gets the heart pumping". We then talk with parents about the importance of exercise and a healthy diet and during family involvement activities we get them moving along with their children. Our family engagement partners then takes the idea into the home and helps the family come up with active activities to do at home with the children.