How Childhood Obesity is Constructed and Perceived Within Australian Society (Research Paper Sample)

How Childhood Obesity is Constructed and Perceived Within Australian Society
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How Childhood Obesity is Constructed and Perceived Within Australian Society
Definition of the Health Problem
Childhood obesity is a major public health issue characterized by excessive fat accumulation in children, endangering their health and well-being (Randle et al., 2017). The issue is caused by an intricate interplay of psychological, physiological, environmental, and behavioral factors that lead to energy imbalance in children. Childhood obesity is linked to poor health and substantial declines in quality of life. Children who are obese may develop asthma, sleep disorders, hip, knee, and ankle problems, as well as high cholesterol and blood pressure. Overweight children are also considerably more likely to become overweight adults, placing them at risk of health problems such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer (sahoo et al., 2015).
The prevalence of childhood obesity in Australia is alarmingly high. Obesity affects 6%-8% of Australian school children, according to available data, and the proportion has risen in recent years (Gill et al., 2009). Surprisingly, the trend persists into adulthood, with 67% of Australian adults identified as overweight (Keramat et al., 2021). As overweight children are more likely to carry their weight challenges into adulthood (Sahoo et al., 2015), the transition from childhood to adulthood offers long-term health risks. Furthermore, obese children have a higher risk of dying earlier than their peers of normal weight.
The body mass index (BMI) is used to evaluate childhood obesity (Mihrshahi et al., 2017). It is determined by dividing weight in kilograms by height in square metres (kg/m2). BMI varies significantly with age in children and can differ between boys and girls (Cole et al., 2000). Childhood obesity has a negative impact not just on individuals' health but also on the Australian healthcare system. Childhood obesity costs the Australian government approximately $43 million in medical costs among children aged 6 to 13 (Black et al., 2018). This is due to increased use of general practitioners and specialists. The findings indicate that the economic costs of childhood obesity are far more than previously thought. It is important to highlight, however, that implementing successful early childhood obesity mitigation interventions can result in immediate cost reductions in healthcare costs.
Given the long-term health and economic impacts of childhood obesity, it is important to focus on preventive public health interventions that target children, their families, and the immediate social and physical environments in which they live. Preschools, daycare centers, educators, and other community stakeholders have an important role in shaping children's behaviour and should be at the forefront of communication and intervention efforts to combat childhood obesity. It is possible to reduce the prevalence and impact of childhood obesity in Australian society by involving these important stakeholders,