Childhood

Obesity
By: Kelsey Spranger
Ferris State University

Objectives
After

this presentation, the observer will be

able to:
Identify the importance of childhood obesity.
Identify the main causes and risk factors of
childhood obesity.
List associated health risks caused by
obesity.
Identify what we can do to help prevent the
rising number of obese children in our
country.

Introduction
More than doubled in children and
quadrupled in adolescents
More than 1/3 of children and adolescents in
the US are overweight or obese.
Complications
High blood pressure
High cholesterol
Metabolic syndrome
Bone and joint disorders
Nonalcoholic fatty liver
Early puberty
Sleep apnea
Emotional issues

Problems in adulthood
Heart disease
Diabetes
Stroke
Cancer
Osteoarthritis

The healthcare environment

The community
environment
Advertising
Lack of safe play areas
Limited access to
affordable healthy food
Greater availability of
unhealthy food
Increased portion sizes
Lack of breastfeeding
support

The healthcare environment

Tends

to run in
families
Psychological
stress eating,
boredom
Socioeconomiclack of access to
healthy foods.
Genetic
Hormones

Root Cause Analysis

Why is there an increased number of obese children in America

today?

Why is there increased access to unhealthy foods?

Because unhealthy foods are easier, cheaper, and tastes better

Why are unhealthy foods easier, cheaper, taste better?

Because that is what todays society is buying

Why are people buying less healthy foods

Because of increased access to unhealthy foods

Because they can be stored for longer periods of time, made with little
effort, and have increased fat and sodium content

Why can these foods be stored for longer periods of time, made with
little effort, and contain poor ingredients?

Because they are filled with preservatives and other chemicals that
contribute to their unhealthiness and our society cares more about how
their food tastes than how good it is for them.

Inferences and
implications/Consequences
If

the childhood obesity problem is not addressed,

there will be more children with health and
emotional issues as well as more adults with fatal
diseases such as heart disease.
If the problem is not addressed, it will only
continue to grow.

Inferences and
implications/Consequences

As nurses what can we do to help prevent

to growing rate of childhood obesity?

Health promotion
Education
Community events
Set good examples

Recommendation for quality and

safety improvement
Annual

appointments
Encourage healthy eating
Decrease temptations
60 minutes of active play or sports
Decrease sedentary time

Recommendation for quality and

safety improvement
Be positive in our teaching
Spread the word encourage others to also teach and
promote a healthy lifestyle.
Ensure and educate about safe weight loss plans
Set a good example
Consult with nutritionists,
counselors, and
physiatrists as needed

Conclusion

Childhood obesity is on the rise due to

several causes and risk factors including
psychological, socioeconomical, a
familial relation. Cultural aspects and
quick access are contributing to the
growing problem. To help prevent
childhood obesity and the array of
disorders and diseases that can develop
from it, we need to do all we can to
promote healthy lifestyles in our
children, patients, and communities.

References
American

Heart Association. (2016). Preventing childhood obesity: Tips for

parents and caretakers. Retrieved from
http://www.heart.org/HEARTORG/HealthyLiving/HealthyKids/ChildhoodObesity/
Preventing-Childhood-Obesity-Tips-for-Parents-andCaretakers_UCM_456118_Article.jsp
Beal, J. A. (2016). Childhood obesity. MCN, The American Journal of
Maternal/Child Nursing, 44(1), p.59. doi:10.1097/NMC.0000000000000197
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Childhood obesity causes
& consequences. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/childhood/causes.html
Mayo Clinic. Childhood Obesity. Retrieved from www.mayoclinic.org/diseasesconditions/childhood-obesity/basics/causes/con-20027428
Rossiter, M.D., Colapinto, C.K., Khan, M. A., McIsaac, J. D., Williams, P. L., Kirk,
S. F., & Veugelers, P. J. (2015). Breast, formula and combination feeding in
relation to childhood obestiy in Nova Scotia, Canada. Maternal and Child
Health Journal, 19(9), 2048-2056. doi: 10.1007/s10995-015-1717-y