Abstract:

Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects the child’s health and well-being. Childhood obesity has become a global issue and may results in the decrease in the life expectancy. While obesity in children is increasing across the world, minority of children living in urban areas are at higher risk of developing the condition. Due to the rise in obesity prevalence in children and its many adverse health effects it is recognized as a serious public health concern.

This project consists of some short interventions aiming at reducing the obesity in children by educating the caregivers and the rest of the family. The project will be focusing on the interventions that can be implemented in the prevention of continued obesity in children. The purpose of the project is to review the pediatric obesity treatment and with the objectives of determining which treatment can be effective. Though studies I have released that psychotherapy is the primary intervention.

Cardiovascular diseases and diabetes are some of hearth problems that affect children negatively, and there is evidence based intervention that can be used by the primary care givers to address the issue of obesity.

Psychotherapy, diet, physical activities and pharmacotherapy are all effective interventions in treating childhood obesity. I have selected this topic from the three blocks which are health assessment, health care delivery policy and quality outcomes and leadership and communication.

Keywords: Obesity, childhood, body mass index, interventions

References:

[1]. Balagopal, P., Bayne, E., Sager, N., Russell, L., Patton, N., & George, D. (2003). Effect of Lifestyle changes on whole body protein turnover in obese adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 27, 1250-1257.

[2]. Barlow, S. E., & Dietz, W. H. (1998). Obesity evaluation and treatment: Expert committee recommendations. Pediatrics, 102, e29.

[3]. Carrel, A. L., Clark, R. R., Peterson, S. E., Nemeth, B. A., Sullivan, J., & Allen, D. B. (2005). Improvement of fitness, body composition, and insulin sensitivity in overweight children in a school based exercise program. (Reprinted) Archives of Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, 159, 963-968.

[4]. Center for Disease Control and Prevention. (2009). Study estimates medical cost of obesity may be as high as $147 billion annually: New community recommendations show ways to reduce burden. http://www.cdc.gov/media/pressrel/2009/r090727.htm

[5]. Dietz W. Health consequences of obesity in youth: childhood predictors of adult disease. Pediatric 1998; 101:518-525

[6]. Rae, G. (2008). Childhood Obesity: Highlights of AMA Expert Committee Recommendations. American Family Physician, 78(1), 56-66.

[7]. Reilly, J.J., Methuen, E., McDowell, Z.C., Hacking, B., Alexander, D., Stewart, L., & Kalmar, C.J.H. (2003). Health Consequences of Obesity. Archives of Disease in Childhood, 88, 748-752.

[8]. Rhodes, E.T., Beveling, C.B., Meyers, A.F., Bayer, C.T., Obi, W.L., Bettencourt, M.F., & Ludwig, D.S. (2007). Pediatric Obesity Management: Variation by Specialty and Awareness of Guidelines. Clinical Pediatrics.