The New Definition of Child Overweight

The definition of child overweight as an effective intervention for childhood obesity

Child overweight is defined as a crucial medical condition that affects children, a child is said to be overweight when his/her body weight is above that her age mates of the same height. Dietz (1998) explains that overweight can lead to serious medical problems and other social consequences. This has caused challenges in public health concerns. Medical conditions, which include, high blood pressure diabetes and high cholesterol levels are now being manifested in children and adolescence. These diseases arise due to lifestyle behaviors will lead to overweight. Indications of overweight in children can be manifested through; sex, age, race, or even parental genes. It is argued by ChoiEdward (2006) that, understanding the consequences of child overweight is important in order to provide an appropriate intervention. The serious medical conditions that develop due to obesity should be taken as a serious indication of the dangers of overweight. Appropriate intervention to reduce or eradicate overweight is aimed at avoiding or reducing  lifestyle diseases.

 Health effects of childhood overweight

The health effects of overweight children are very serious. Adverse health effects resulting from overweight can be short-term or long-term, short-term consequences include psychosocial problems and low self esteem. The long term consequences that will manifest in adulthood include health problems for example, high blood pressure, heart failure, diabetes, high cholesterol levels among other illnesses. Recent studies from the NHANES (1999) provided that 30.3 % of children between the ages of 5 to 11 are at risk of becoming overweight. While 30.4% of adolescence between the ages of 12 to 19 is also at risk of becoming obese.

Intervention and prevention of overweight in children.

Interventions to reduce childhood obesity is very important, this is because of the risk associated with obesity.  Obesity is a challenge to public health concern, and thus proper intervention should be enacted to reduce the risks associated with lifestyle diseases. According to Dietz (1998), Proper prevention and intervention should be enhanced in order to reduce obesity cases, prevention strategies like physical activity and observing diets for example by avoiding junk foods, Should be encouraged especially among the young people.  Experts suggest that children should be screened on genetic disorders or lifestyle behavior for symptoms that may lead to obesity.

Intervention to overweight involves medical treatment which is administered in the hospital.  Medical prescriptions include; medication, restriction on calories, lifestyle behavioral change, and weight loss and maintenance ( ChoiEdward, 2006).

Specific applications of the therapies

Therapies that are aimed at changing the lives of overweight individual include the following; Families should be educated on the medical implications of obesity; this is applicable across all ages. Communities can be mobilized in groups, where physicians create awareness and educate the people about the effects of obesity.  Curbing obesity is a gradual process; it needs a lot of patience and determination. The treatment process might be slow, but with positive change on the obese person, thus adherence to medication and prevention should be followed.

Physicians are encountered with a challenge of choosing a long term intervention to overcome overweight. Studies indicate that proper, weight €“loss is the most effective approach towards regulating bodyweight. Recreational activities for example, swimming, playing and gaming have facilitated a lot of activity aimed at maintaining the desired body mass.

REFERENCES

Dietz,  WH. s(1998)Health consequences of obesity in youth: childhood predictors of adult disease.  Pediatrics. ;1013 pt 2:518€“25.

ChoiEdward, W. S. (2006). Factors associated with physician discussion of health behaviors with adolescents. Journal of Youth and Adolescence, 35(6), 969-975. doi: 10.1007/s10964-006-9066-1.