Unit 7 Presentation on Childhood Obesity

1. Big Idea: Childhood Obesity &
Prevention Methods
By: Maeghan Penn
Kaplan University

2. What is Childhood Obesity?
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Childhood obesity is seen as the prevelance and occurrence of kids or
adolescents with BMI's that are greater than 95 percent (OAC,2013).
It is a widely known issue in the United States at this time. Today, more than
30 percent of children are affected (OAC, 2013).
The number of obese children has since tripled since 1980, making this an
unwanted epedemic.
Childhood Obesity, is considered to be a medical condition.
When a child or adolescents body stores too much body fat, they can
sometimes be labeled as Obese.

3. What Children Are At Risk?
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The vast majority of cases of childhood obesity come from kids that are not
very physically active, but intake too many calories along with it (Childhood
Obesity Foundation, n.d)
Children who live in an environment where healthy eating and physical
activity isn't encouraged, tend to be more at risk.
Along with kids who eat to help with stress or problems (Childhood Obesity
Foundation, n.d)
And kids that consume foods that are high in sugar and fat on a regular basis
such as fast food, candy, baked goods and soda.

4. Risks Associated With Childhood
Obesity
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Heart Disease
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High Cholestrol
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High Blood Pressure
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Diabetes
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Sleep Apnea
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Cancer
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Along with these risks children also have to go through social humiliation
from their peers, making this a lot worse for them. Kids tend be mean, rude,
and blatantly honest to their peers
(OAC, 2014)

5. Preventative Measures
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Childhood Obesity can be prevented, some measures include
Enouraging healthy eating habits (providing more health options, and less
sugary & fried options)
Make favorite dishes healthier (instead of making french fries, try baked sweet
potatoes).
Help kids understand the benefits of exercising (teach kids that physical
activity has positive effects on bones, self esteem, and overall well-being).
Help Kids stay active (instead of letting your child watch tv for 30 minutes,
make them go outside and play) (American Heart Association, 2014).

6. More Preventative Measure
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Along with the measures previously stated, school systems can help with
keeping kids healthy by
Allowing kids to have access to more physically demanding and active P.E.
Programs
Allowing children to have nothing but healthy options at lunch, do away
with the vending machines, sweets, and fried foods.
Implementing more engaging, healthy objectives for students to reach during
the day.
Engaging children in more reactive and proactive ways in staying healthy,
such as making games out of eating good foods and knowing about healthy
food options.

7. Conclusion
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Childhood Obesity can be an easy task to tackle, for the
simple fact that children are more likey to do what they see
their parents and other role model adults doing. If parents
and school systems can come together to implement these
preventative measure, we're sure to see a drastic drop in
childhood obestity. Keeping our kids healthy isn't that hard
of a task, its just a task that takes the whole village to keep
in control.

8. Resources
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(Healthy Kid Healhty Future, 2014)
http://www.prairiepublic.org/education/parents-page/healthy-kid-healthy-future
(American Heart Association, 2014)
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/GettingHealthy/HealthierKids/ChildhoodObesi
(Childhood Obesity Foundation, n.d.)
http://www.childhoodobesityfoundation.ca/whatIsChildhoodObesity
(OAC, 2014)
http://www.obesityaction.org/understanding-obesity-in-children/what-ischildhood-obesity