2011 State Prevalence Among Low-Income Children Aged 2 to 4 Years: Childhood obesity

2011 State Prevalence Among Low-Income Children Aged 2 to 4 Years. 2012. Chart. Centers for Disease Control and PreventionWeb. 11 Nov 2013. <http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/childhood.html>.

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Check out this YouTube video about childhood obesity

Final Three Sources

I found these resources using EBSCO. After reading multiple articles I found that intertwined with many articles is a mention or two of my research question. Although there was hardly as much information regarding how family lifestyles result in childhood obesity it really made me understand that there are really a lot of other factors I did not take into consideration. I did not realize that we promote a sedentary lifestyle. We drive cars instead of walking or biking, we call our neighbor for sugar instead of just walking over there, we look online for answers instead of walking around the library, and many other various substitutions we have made over time. Although a lot of this research has redirected my argument, I think that it has the potential to make a very strong essay.

A research article published by BMC Public Health explored the common risk factors of childhood obesity, and how most can be identified in infancy. The research examined how six groups of different demographics still struggled with some of the same issues of portion control and misconception of an infant’s cry as hunger. The data shows that formula, because of the higher protein, may be a responsible reason for the weight gain. It also shows that early transition to solid foods for infants is significantly associated with children becoming overweight or even obese at the age of three. Another area of research was parent’s response to their child’s cry is a risk factor. Data showed that low-income mothers used food to soothe their fussy children. The research also explored how parents perceive their child’s growth and appetite. Research demonstrated that mothers thought that weight was the best marker to thriving parenting. The research concluded that mothers with higher BMI during gestation tended to gain less weight while pregnant, but had higher infant weight gain. It also showed a correlation that overweight mothers breast-fed less and weaned their child earlier to solid foods.

 

“Physical Activity and Childhood Obesity: Strategies and Solutions for Schools and Parents” an article written by, Gregory Green, Clarence Riley and Brenda Hargrove suggests the different ways that parents and schools can get involved to help this rising epidemic of childhood obesity. This article explains that obesity has grown because we are consuming more fast food and participating in non-active activities more than we ever have before. The article cites, “In general, a typical child is exposed to 40,000 fast food advertisements annually.” (2) The article also presents staggering evidence that physical education and physical activity has decreased considerably for school-age children. The article gives parents the advice to follow the guidelines of American Academy of Pediatrics and limit the amount of time your child is participating in “screen time.” Involve the whole family in making healthy lifestyle choices, become an advocate to maintain parks as a safe area for children, and select healthy food choices for your family at the grocery store.

Kellie R. Lang, writes an article that is published by Pediatric Nursing. She addresses the 2011 proposal that severely obese children should be taken out of their parent’s care and put into a foster home. The idea that children who are severely unnourished and are under-fed leading to malnourishment are taken out of their home due to neglect, and some feel that the same goes for severely obese children. They would only take the children if there is a high probability of immediate harm to the child. Lang disagrees with this proposal stating that there is no proof that a foster home could better manage the child’s weight than their own parents. Also, Lang urges that it is not only the parent’s fault that a child is obese. She explains that a parent has no control what decisions a child makes outside of their home or when his/her parents are not around. She suggests that the advertisements that are on TV play a significant role in the choices that children make. She also says that our environment encourages a sedentary lifestyle that does not promote a lot of physical activity. Lang concludes that if the Federal Government can spend the money to prosecute individual parents, then it should be required to first spend the money on public health to educate children and families on this epidemic.

WORKS CITED: 

Green, Gregory, Clarence Riley, and Brenda Hargrove. "Physical Activity And Childhood Obesity: Strategies And Solutions For Schools And Parents." Education 132.4 (2012): 915-920. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.

Lang, Kellie R. "Parents Of Obese Children And Charges Of Child Abuse: What Is Our Response?." Pediatric Nursing 38.6 (2012): 337-340. Academic Search Premier. Web. 7 Nov. 2013.

Redsell, Sarah A., et al. "Parents Beliefs About Appropriate Infant Size, Growth And Feeding Behaviour: Implications For The Prevention Of Childhood Obesity." BMC Public Health 10.(2010): 711-720. Academic Search Premier. Web. 5 Nov. 2013.

Summary of My First Two Sources

When I chose childhood obesity as my research topic I thought I would be immersed in a lot of information-rich articles and references. While there is a lot of information there is not a lot supporting my argument, and most of it is very vague. As I am quickly learning, we are still trying to find out why childhood obesity is becoming an epidemic. There are correlations, and changes being made, but we are still waiting to see the results of the changes. I have found more counterpoints to my paper than I thought possible. I have been using Academic Search Premier, Points of View Reference Center, and Consumer Health Complete to find related documents.

My first source is a congressional testimony given by Dr. Joseph W. Thompson. Director of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Center to Prevent Childhood Obesity, a pediatrician and Surgeon General of the state of Arkansas. His testimony examines how the result of childhood obesity isn't categorized into just one area. It is the transformation of eating models and environmental changes that have affected the surroundings our children are exposed to. With schools limiting physical education, offering "competitive snacks" in vending machines, and other various food a la cart, Thompson states, "... we have created an environment that fosters rather than prevents childhood obesity." (Thompson) He also explores how in low-income neighborhoods children are more likely to become overweight or obese because of the limited access to grocery stores with fresh produce, and safe areas for children to play. Being an expert in the field, Thompson, encourages the entire community to take part in this epidemic, and work together to create a neighborhood that encourages a healthy lifestyle for all families.

This source has helped address a key counterpoint to my argument. It explores the differences in economic disadvantages and the struggles that some families face in order to provide healthy and nutritious meals for their families.

Works Cited:
DR. JOSEPH W. THOMPSON, MD, MPH DIRECTOR ROBERT WOOD JOHNSON FOUNDATION CENTER TO PREVENT CHILDHOOD OBESITY. "Child Obesity." FDCH Congressional Testimony (n.d.): Points of View Reference Center. Web. 31 Oct. 2013.

Unknown. N.d. Photograph. Colorado Farm to School. Web. 2 Nov 2013. <http://coloradofarmtoschool.org/>.

The second source comes from the magazine Men's Health. The article is titled "The Trouble With Fat Kids..." and was written by Peter Moore, Nichole Screws and Adam Campbell. This article is written for dads and encourages them to take an active role in their child's life, particularly in their food choices. The article has a lot of statistics as well as two pediatric doctors, Dr. Levine and Dr. Katz, that give comments about the childhood obesity epidemic. Dr. Katz explains that it is the parent's responsibility to teach their child to enjoy healthier foods. He continues by sharing that if you buy junk food the kids will eat it, but if you do not buy the unhealthy food then the kids will eat what is available to them. The article concludes with a mock ten commandments that encourage a healthier lifestyle. This article will help because it has some very specific statistics as well as a solid article supporting my research claim.

Works Cited:
Moore, Peter, Nichole Screws, and Adam Campbell. "The Trouble With Fat Kids.." Men's Health (10544836) 18.9 (2003): 100. TOPICsearch. Web. 1 Nov. 2013.
Unknown. 2013. Photograph. UrbanDaddies.com. Web. 2 Nov 2013. <http://www.urbandaddies.com/featured-1/new-studies-find-horseplay-with-dads-vital-to-kid-development/>.