Childhood Obesity: Factors Lead to the Occurrence of the Disease (Research Paper Sample)

Childhood Obesity
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University Affiliation
Contents
Page
Introduction 3
Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity 4
Impact of Childhood Obesity 4
Biological Approaches to Childhood Obesity 5
Psychological Approaches to Child Obesity 7
Social Approaches to Childhood Obesity 10
Interactions between Biological, Psychological and Social Factors associated with Childhood Obesity 14
Conclusion 15
References 17
Introduction
Childhood obesity has, for a long time, been regarded as one of the most critical medical conditions in the world. This condition is characterised by a child having more body weight than normal, as compared to his or her height and age. Childhood obesity exposes children to diseases such as diabetes, high cholesterol and high blood pressure that are often associated with adults. Child obesity is often caused by poor dietary choices for children. Also, children who are not involved in exercises are susceptible to this condition (Langwith, 2013). It is advisable that parents come up with proper strategies to improve the dietary habits of their children while ensuring they get involved in regular exercises. Foods such as cookies, fast foods and some baked foods contain a lot of calories that, when consumed, rapidly lead to weight gain (Langwith, 2013). Although children require more calories to promote their growth, it is not advisable for them to take in excess calories. These often end up accumulating in their bodies, causing them to have weight problems that eventually lead to more complicated health issues. It is estimated that, between 1977 and 2006, there was a high increase in the amount of calories children consumed from approximately 168 calories in a day to 568 calories in a day. The most cases were recorded among children between 2-6 years, with the snack calorie intake of this age group having increased by 181 more calories as compared to the last 20 years (Minshall, 2013). Lack of physical activities is one of the main reasons why children are increasingly featuring in the list of people with obese conditions. There has been more child confinement in recent times, as children are exposed to indoor forms of entertainment rather than the physical activities of previous years. This essay will evaluate childhood obesity, focusing on the biological, psychological and social approaches.
Epidemiology of Childhood Obesity
In England, 2010, it was estimated that one out of four adults was overweight. Recent research indicates that there has been a steady decrease in the number of people with a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) since 1993. At the same time, there has been an increase in the number of people with obesity conditions. It is estimated that 36% of males as well as 28% females in England will be obese by the year 2015. The figures are further estimated to rise to 47% for males and 36% for females by 2025 (Oyebode & Mindell, 2013).
The statistics also indicate that 17% of boys and 15% of girls in London are obese. This means that child obesity is a serious matter in the health sector. Figures show that obesity among children is experienced more in homes where one or both parents are classified as overweight. Also, the proportion of women that experience weight problems is higher in the households with little income as compared to those households with higher income levels (Oyebode & Mindell, 2013). It is therefore prudent to focus on a particular group of people who are affected more by obesity rather than focus on general society.
There are a number of factors that lead to childhood obesity. These can be grouped into biological, psychological and social factors.
Impact of Childhood Obesity
Obesity in children can lead to a number of health complications. It exposes children to diseases such as stroke, some cancers, high blood pressure and glucose intolerance. It can also lead to dental complications. This disease can be controlled by proper nutrition; that is, children should be provided with a balanced diet. Children should also be involved in physical exercises to burn excess calories (Oyebode & Mindell, 2013). Since some diseases may lead to obesity, it is prudent to ensure children are always provided with proper medical care. Other elements (including social factors) can also be managed to control the child’s feeding behaviour.
Comparing Nature and Nurturing aspects in evaluating Childhood Obesity
In a study to determine the relationship between nature and nurturing aspects in childhood obesity, the dietary habits of parents and their children were assessed (McKee, 2011). In the study, it was identified that there was very little relationship between the kind of food parents eat and its influence on the children’s habits. It was also identified some factors influencing the kinds of foods children eat. These included; peer influence, government policies regulating children’s meals in school and such factors such as amount of available food, marketing, distribution as well as advertising (McKee, 2011).
Another study indicated that there was a significant effect of genetics on childhood obesity as compared to environmental influence (Wardle & Carnell, 2007). The study involved 5000 identical and non-identical twins. The study found out that influence of genes had an upper hand on childhood obesity as compared to lifestyle. Three quarters of the children whose parents were obese were also observed to be obese. Using a genetic modeling analysis, it was identified that the differences noted in the children’s BMI as well as their waist circumferences was 77% associated with genes. Children with similar genes had similar characteristics (Wardle & Carnell, 2007). However, it was noted that, having bad genes does not mean childhood obesity is inevitable. It can be controlled but there is need for extra support. Parents have a task of ensuring their children develop proper eating habits. They should provide children with a balanced diet that does not result to imbalance in the energy input and output. Some foods noted in this case include vegetables, fresh fruits and complex carbohydrates. Children like eating fast foods and high calorie foods. The parents are therefore required to have this in mind when they are engaging their children in the right diet (Wardle & Carnell, 2007).
Biological Approaches to Childhood Obesity
Biological approaches to childhood obesity involve those aspects that are related to the child’s body functioning. They include genetic make-up as well as the hormone activity in the human body. Metabolic processes carried out in the body can also be included in this case. The biological approaches to childhood obesity may be complex. A normal person takes in almost 10 million calories during the course of 10 years. There is, however, little variation in people’s body weight. There may be variations in people’s calorie intake and rate of physical activities. Naturally, the body may adjust and, to some extent, the body weight remains stable. This makes it difficult for nutritionists to accurately gauge calorie intake and, consequently, regulate the amount of calories that children consume (Murdock et al., 2013).
It is worth noting that children of different weight and height have different rates of calorie use within their bodies (Murdock et al., 2013). It is therefore advisable to look for other ways to deal with the weight problem rather than focusing on counting calories. In this case, there are a number of biological factors that can be considered.
Genetics
Weight has a very strong relationship to genetics. That is, genetics can determine, to a large extent, a person’s body weight. In previous times, it was difficult to determine the kind of genes affecting the person’s weight. However, developments in genetics and research in DNA mean that we are now aware of the genes that determine a person’s weight (Langwith, 2013). This, at times, is also applicable in children. For instance, there are cases in which two identical twins are brought up in different environments for a considerable time, but, when brought together, still possess similar characteristics including height and weight.
There are a number of genes that have been associated with obesity. These are linked with the location wherein fat is deposited in the body, the hormones that are being produced by the human body and how the body regulates insulin (Langwith, 2013). These mechanisms are worth looking at as far as body weight is concerned.
Hormones and other Biochemicals
The kind of foods that children eat can affect appetite. This, however, has effects lasting for a short time. Consumption of proteins and fats produces cholecystokinin (CCK), which is a satiety regulator. CCK reduces appetite by slowing down the rate of digestion in the body. Intake of fibre can also slow down the rate of CCK breakdown in the body. This makes one feel satisfied for longer (Langwith, 2013).
There are some hormones associated with a person’s body weight. These include:
Ghrelin
This is a hormone produced by the brain and the stomach, triggering feelings of hunger. Its levels increase just before and after meals. The hormone can be controlled by stomach surgery to reduce its level of secretion (Langwith, 2013). This often works well and has been used to help children with weight problems control appetite.
Leptin
This hormone is secreted by the fat cells. Unlike ghrelin, this hormone makes one feel satisfied. It is, however, not effective in many obese children since their bodies resist its effect; regardless of how much of the hormone may be produced (Langwith, 2013).
Insulin
This is one of the most important hormones in the body since it regulates many acti...