ways to prevent obesity among chilhood

8/13/2019 Ways to Prevent Obesity Among Chilhood

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BEL311

TERM PAPER

TOPIC: OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD

FOCUS: WAYS TO PREVENT OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD

GROUP: AE009R2

PREPARED BY:

NUR FATIHAH BINTI KAMARUDDIN 2012432636SITI NARISSA SARA BINTI ROZNI 2012600958

SYARIFAH ANIS AQILA BINTI SYED NASIR 2012497768


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WAYS TO PREVENT OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) survey in 2010 (Childhood

overweight and obesity, 2013), Malaysia was ranked as the sixth in Asia in the highest

obesity rate. Obesity means having too much fat in the body. According to the American

Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(2010), when the childs weight is at least10

percent higher than what is recommended , they are not considered as obese. It is also stated

that, during childhood between 5 to 6 ages the obesity commonly occurs. Why does obesity

happen among children? Obesity among children can be caused by genes or family lifestyles

(What is obesity?, 2013). Obesity also can be caused by lack of exercise and sleep. However,

obesity among children is at risk for numerous health problems during their youth and into

adulthood for example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In order to prevent

childhood obesity, parents, school and government should play their roles.Parents should play the most important role to overcome obesity among children.

Parents plays an important role at home by controlling their childrens diet. Parents have to

ensure that their children take breakfast every day and eat healthy food in a suitable

quantity. This is a very significant way as according to Smith and Robinson(2012), children

who skip their breakfast tend to be overweight compared to the children who eat breakfast.

Besides, according to NSW Department of Health (2003) , one research had suggested that

accessibility of healthy food in the house can be a significant impact on the development of

childrens diet behaviour. In addition, parents should educate their children about the

importance of taking care of their health. They should teach them about food nutrition by

explaining to them the benefit of following the food pyramid. Parents also have to be a good

role model to their children as it can influence them. According to a survey , conducted by

American Dietetic Association(2007), parents ranked highest as their children nutrition role

model. Obviously, parents play a significant role in helping their children overcoming

obesity.Besides that, school authority should take action in preventing obesity among

children. School canteen can take part by providing more healthy menu based on food the

pyramid. Food pyramid can guide us to a balance and right amount of consumption from

different types of food. According to NSW Department of Health (2003) , school should elect

their menu base on the food pyramid. Moreover, according to Dinakaran(2012), school


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should inspire the student to eat healthy food and cut down the selling of junk food. In

addition, school increase the students opportunity to participate in activities that develop

fundamental movement skills. According to a research conducted by NSW Department of

Health (2003), children who possess fundamental movement skills are more likely to join in

physical activity. Besides, Wechsler, McKenna, Lee and Dielz(2004), state that these

opportunities can be participated by all students, including those who are not active in sport

and those with special health care needs. School also should improve students knowledge

about health by creating policies. According to Walker (2011), the wellness policies and

curriculum that support and include nutrition, physical education and opportunity for

physical activity can be created which can affect the change on health outcome. To

summarize, school authority must take their part to prevent this problem by creating health

policies and increase their opportunities in fundamental skills.The government also plays an important role in order to prevent this obesity among

childhood. The Government should give free medical consultation to all the family members

of obese children to help them change their lifestyles. According to Batlista and Wright

(2012),the government should organize activities that lead in lowering the number of obesity

among children by promoting detailed information about the culture of health. Moreover, the

government can also organize an awareness campaign of fighting obesity or organize a camp.

North American Percis Syndicate, NAPS (2012) states about Obesity Prevention in Children

Campaign, created by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. This campaign

focused on helping the children maintaining a healthy weight by helping the parents and

caregivers emphasising the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating practise in a fun

and engaging way for the whole family. By doing this way, the children may be attracted to

take part in this campaign. According to Larson (2012), the camp can encourage the children

to eat healthier meal and do more physical activities. Besides, the government can publish

information about healthy diet on a website. User can get information and ask questions

about overweight and obesity. This step may help the parent to get information on their

fingertips. In short, government can do some action in preventing obesity among children by

increasing community knowledge especially for children and parent about importance of

practising healthy lifestyle.In conclusion, parents, school authority and the government must play their role in

preventing and treating children from obesity. Parents play an important role to guide their

children to living a healthy lifestyle to avoid their children from gaining much weight. As


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REFERENCES

Basta, L., & Wright, L. (2012). Chilhood obesity. Retrieved February, 2013, from Kaplan University:

hp://helpingprofessions.kaplan.edu/arcles/early_childhood/Childhood_Obesity_-

_What_Schools_Can_Do_To_Make_A_Dierence.html

Childhood overweight and obesity. (2013). Retrieved February, 2013, from World Health

Organizaon.

Davis, J. L. (2007). Your child nutrion: The power of parent. Retrieved 18 January, 2013, from

WebMD: hp://www.webmd.com

Dinakaran, U. (27 October, 2012). The bane of junk food. Retrieved 18 January, 2013, from Deccan

Herald: hp://www.deccanherald.com

Larson, J. (1 August, 2012). Retrieved 18 January, 2013, hp://www.letsmove.gov

Maman, Y. (2005). Meals for school-what next? Mulple causes and mulple responses.Journal of

Integrated Care , 48-51.

NAPS, North American Precis Syndicate. (30 November, 2012). PSA Campaign Addresses Childhood

Obesity.

NSW Department of Health. (2003). Prevenon of obesity in children and young people NSW

Goverment Acon Plan 2003-2007.North Sydney: NSW DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.

Smith, M., & Robinson, L. (November, 2012). Weight problems and obesity in children.Retrieved

January, 2013, from HELPGUIDE.ORG: www.helpguide.org/mental/childhood_obesity.htm

Walker, P. D. (Spring 2011). Winning the war against childhood obesity: The role of teacher and

schools in early childhood educaon.A Journal of College of Educaon & Health Professions

Columbus State University, 43.

Wechsler, H., L. McKenna, M., M.Lee, S., & H.Dielz, W. (December, 2004).Adolescent and school

health.Retrieved December, 2012,

hp://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalacvity/pdf/roleofschools_obesity.pdf

What is obesity?(22 February, 2013). Retrieved February, 2013, from Kid's health :hp://www.cyh.com/HelpsTopic/HelpsTopicdetailkids

ways to prevent obesity among chilhood

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