Childhood Obesity

Childhood Obesity Mary E. LaBella Maternal and Child Health Social Work Leadership Team November 5, 2004

Purpose of the Presentation In order to be leaders in the fight against childhood obesity WE MUST BE WELL INFORMED.

Goals and Objectives • Goal Each recipient will be well-informed on the topic of childhood obesity • Objective Each recipient will be able to define childhood obesity and discuss its multi-faceted nature

What is Obesity? • The presence of a body mass index (BMI) greater than the 95th percentile for age and sex according to national growth charts. • The most common nutritional disorder among our nation’s youth.

Contributing Factors of Childhood Obesity • Medical • Behavioral • Reduced energy expenditure • Societal pressure • Nutritional transition

Physical Consequences • Cardiovascular • Respiratory • Endocrine • Metabolic • Orthopedic

Long-term Consequences • Adult obesity • Cardiovascular disease • Breast cancer • Colon caner • Type 2 Diabetes • Financial ramifications

Psychological Factors • Lowered self-esteem • Increased depression ratings • Social outcasts

Psychosocial Aspects • Fewer years of education • Lower family income • Higher poverty rates • Lower marriage rates

Diagnostic Methods • Research - underwater weighing, multifrequency bioelectrical impedance analysis, and magnetic resonance imaging • Clinical - weight for height, body mass index (BMI = weight (kg) / height (m)), waist circumference, and skinfold thickness

Epidemiology

Prevention • Risk factors to be addressed: • high birth weight • maternal smoking in first trimester • early introduction to solid foods • overweight parents • Black, Caribbean, or Pakistani ethnic group

Prevention • Risk factors to be addressed: • socio-economic deprivation • > 11 hours/week TV/video • low participation in school sports • few interests involving active play • > 2 hours per day traveling by car • few siblings

Treatment • A combination of simple dieting and exercise is not the “magic bullet.” • Interventions should focus on acceptance of realistic body weight and the incorporation of healthy eating and physical activity.

Treatment – Family Involvement • The home, with parental and family involvement, appears to be the most influential treatment setting. • Combination of behavioral, social learning, and family system approach. • “Parenthood Presence”

Cultural and Socioeconomic Aspects • White children are at a reduced risk for obesity than their African American and Hispanic counterparts. • Research shows that environmental factors that promote increased energy intake and decreased energy output are increasing and have a significant effect on children from various ethnic backgrounds.

Cultural and Socioeconomic Aspects • SES is inversely associated with childhood obesity among whites, yet higher SES does not seem to protect African American and Hispanic children.

Cultural and Socioeconomic Aspects • African American and Hispanic youth tend to have lower levels of physical activity and dietary patterns that contribute to higher BMIs compared to white children.

Organizational and Community Factors • Fast-paced • Career-oriented • Limited access to treatment

Ethical Issues • Self-determination • Autonomy • Service • Dignity and worth of the person

Social Work Interventions • Macro level • health education • lobby local units of government • organize family events

Social Work Interventions • Micro level • prenatal counseling • family education • counseling • planning

In Conclusion…. • Childhood obesity is a growing epidemic that disproportionately affects minorities. • Childhood obesity is not just an individual disease with individual consequences, but a public health issue with many causes and effects.

In Conclusion…. • Due to its multi-faceted nature, childhood obesity needs to be addressed ACROSS ALL HELPING PROFESSIONS in an INTERDISCIPLINARY MANNER • In order to combat childhood obesity we must involve FAMILIES, not just the obese child

Any Questions?

Childhood Obesity