Child Obesity Essay Example

they intake. Moreover, there should be a reduction in the sugar content by companies in their digestible commercial products which ought to be followed by impromptu audits by relevant oversight committees with collaboration with national health boards (Chari, Warsh, Ketterer, Hossain, & Sharif, 014). Consequently, it will be possible to avoid high caloric intake and thus controlling child obesity cases which have so far on an alarming rise. Another important step that would help in reducing such cases is parental control of television watching by their kids. It is also of undeniable importance in parents controlling their own watching habits which tend to have a direct effect on the time spent by children in front of the television set (Svensson, 2014).

As a result, it would help divert the kids’ attention to alternative entertainment modes that are at least physical in nature hence reducing the cases of child obesity on a global stage. Such physical activities may include organized and well-coordinated sports in school that should be mandatory in every school. This coupled with a periodical review of each school’s health activity and a reliable rating scheme would be of much importance in tackling child obesity. Thus this not only a family issue but one that calls for efforts from all corners. It would be much helpful if families are educated on how to make healthier choices by introduction of a nutrient profile model that is sufficient for survival but efficient in reducing child obesity (Svensson, 2014). Besides, helping businesses in coming up with innovative products that are geared towards child obesity reduction would be vital.

If this issue is not addressed in time and using relevant

measures and mechanisms, it is most likely that obese children will enter into adulthood with the same problem. As the issue progresses into adulthood, the probability of developing non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardio-related diseases increases (Pettigrew et al, 2014). Thus child obesity eventually leads to premature deaths, use of finances that would have been directed elsewhere for economic gains, loss of human capital in terms of human resources and man-hours used in treating a preventable health issue. In economic terms, so much money is spent on treating child obesity and overweight-related health problems than say paying the police. It is thus only prudent to address it as early as possible and make it a matter of priority.

As a result the general quality of life will improve not only for the children, but for the global population at large.

Conclusion

From the analysis above, it is not too early to begin preventing child obesity. This practice should start as early as possible by the parents during breastfeeding. Media entertainment should not only be controlled in terms of time but ought to be supplemented with physical activities both at home and at school through a well-coordinated timeline and schedule. Relevant to the same is that various national governments should pool their efforts in controlling advertisements that are meant for children.

Based on the fact that such advertisements are meant for consumers with limited rationality even calls for further control and regulation (Chari, Warsh, Ketterer, Hossain & Sharif, 2014). This is because children in most cases do not consider the effects of such consumption behaviors. It is thus necessary that nutritional education for children start as early possible.

Consequently, the future generation and security of continuity will be in safe hands if all stakeholders read from the same page.

References

1. Chari, R., Warsh, J., Ketterer, T., Hossain, J., & Sharif, I. (2014). Association between health literacy and child and adolescent obesity. Patient education and counseling, 94(1), 61-66.
2. Lobstein, T., Jackson-Leach, R., Moodie, M. L., Hall, K. D., Gortmaker, S. L., Swinburn, B. A., ...

   & McPherson, K. (2015). Child and adolescent obesity: part of a bigger picture. The Lancet, 385(9986), 2510-2520.

3. Pettigrew, S., Borys, J. M., du Plessis, H.

   R., Walter, L., Huang, T. T., Levi, J., & Vinck, J. (2014). Process evaluation outcomes from a global child obesity prevention intervention.

   BMC public health, 14(1), 1.

4. Svensson, V. (2014). Family-related obesity risk factors and dietary behaviours in high-risk populations: associations with child weight development. Inst för klinisk vetenskap, intervention och teknik/Dept of Clinical Science, Intervention and Technology.