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"Unless something is done, childhood obesity could increase to 50% by the year 2020"
(Lawrence, 2005)
Because childhood obesity poses as a strong precursor to associated health complications, it is important that modifying interventions be implemented with the use of primary prevention strategies. Primary prevention strategies should be implemented at home and at school.
What can we, health care professionals, do to decrease
the prevelence of Childhood Obesity...
...at home?
Educate!!! We must provide parents and children with information that will decrease the incidence of obesity.
Help parents acknowledge their responsibility as role models to their children in regards to proper eating habits and lifestyle behaviors.
Teaching healthy eating habits that focuses on portion control and well-balanced meals is extremely important.
Encourage parents to create an active environment for their child. This allows for increased physical activity and less sedentary behavior.
...at school?
Early surveillance measures, such as direct measurement of children's height and weight during preschool, would contribute in identifying overweight and obese children, allowing for early implementation of interventions (Willms, 2004).
Work wih school teachers and principals to create a healthy environment (ie. healthy lunches, mandatory physical education classes).
Provide comprehensive health curriculums teaching nutrition and weight control.
Eliminate or decrease the number of junk food vending machines
Offer special low-calorie lunches at low costs.
These are only a few of the examples we as nurses can do to decrease the prevalance of childhood obesity. Education is key as well as consistency of healthier lifestyle practices. It is important that we closely examine the prevalence and impact of childhood obesity and that we advocate good health by teaching and enforcing health promotion practices.
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