ByLinda Corbin

Kim CoxJon EdgetteShirley IlerTeresa Ross

Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a national epidemicNurses responsibility to the epidemic.Early identification (high risk group) Early multidisciplinary intervention (psych)Early holistic educationAcute community involvement

AbstractChildren are growing more obese as the twenty-first

century continues to unfold. Obesity is attributed to lack of physical exercise, poor nutrition, and poor health behaviors children learn from their parents. Nurses are on the front lines and can be first to identify childhood obesity. Nurses also have responsibility to educate parents in regards to the childhood obesity epidemic. Underprivileged children and their mothers are the most vulnerable to the childhood obesity epidemic. The focus of healthcare professionals should be on this vulnerable population to help overcome this trend. Many interventions and educational programs are being created to help educate mothers and children to combat obesity.

ObesityThe Center for Disease Control (CDC) defines

overweight as body mass index (BMI) at or above the ninety-fifth percentile for weight and gender. (CDC; 2006)

The concern with obesity in children is that it can cause many underlying health care problems such asDiabetesHigh cholesterolHeart diseaseHigh blood pressureMany other diseases

Social aspectOverweight children also face being socially outcast

from peers“The current childhood obesity epidemic has many

causes and contributing factors; however, the association between television viewing and obesity is one of the strongest and most consistent.” (Dietz et al., 1985; Gortmakeret at., 1996; Dennison et al., 2002).

The ability to find well fitting and socially acceptable clothing remains a barrier for obese children

Interaction between children can be cruel for an obese child

Society views childhood obesity in a negative manner

Mental issuesSome obese children have mental issues

including:DepressionAnxietyAdditional mental illness

Kansas be healthy (KBH) RN training programScreening toolsStandardized referral parametersTargeted assessment kitBMI calculation wheelNutritional guidesCDC growth charts

Critical Appraisal of evidenceThe American Academy of Pediatrics, in 2001,

recommended “children’s total media time be limited to no more than one to two hours of quality programming a day” and that any “television viewing for children younger than two years” be discouraged. (American Academy of Pediatrics: Children, Adolescent, and Television, 2001)

“Mothers usually influence the nature, variety, and quantity of food available to their young children” (Baughcum et al 2000)

With the control over eating patterns, the mother can influence the type of food a child will want to eat and rituals that focus around eating.

Critical Appraisal of evidence cont. Childrens eating habits were hard to control

because the mothers did not want to deny them food.

92% of respondents will incorporate screening tools and interventions into their daily practices.

Nurses own perception use of evidenceInternal conflict between fitting in and being

ostracized by peer group.Social isolation can occurAdditional destructive health behaviors emergeHealth professionals need to become proactive in

dealing with preschooler obesity. Health care professionals are in a position to

provide effective tools to create healthier lifestyles.

My duty is to provide outside resources to help in their crusade with childhood obesity.

Nurses own perception use of evidenceFirst hand observations of chronic diseases

gives motivation to instill life long healthy behaviors.

RecommendationsIndividual children’s thought and feelings of

obesity should be the emphasis of further research studies

Unplugging the television for a family game nightBoard gamesCard games ReadingCrafts Changing children’s behavior sets the pattern for

the next generation to defeat these disease.

References