W3D
Topic 1:
Child and Adolescent Health Risks
As you discovered in this week’s lectures and readings, several populations face multiple health risks across their lifespan. Children and adolescents are a population that is at a higher health risk for obesity. A national movement is underway to reduce risk factors for developing obesity in children. Part of this movement is the “Let’s Move!” campaign, which is a comprehensive and coordinated initiative to prevent childhood obesity. The initiative emphasizes four primary components: healthy schools, access to affordable and healthy food, raising children’s physical activity levels, and empowering families to make healthy choices. Review Healthy People 2020:
AMSWER ALL OF THE QUESTIONS BELOW
- Identify risk factors for childhood obesity.
- Do the risk factors differ and how do they differ between children and adolescents?
- Identify objectives that will combat childhood and adolescent obesity.
- Provide suggestions on how community health nurses can contribute to these national health objectives and accomplish the goal of decreasing obesity among this population.
TEXTBOOK:
From your course textbook Public Health Nursing: Population-Centered Health Care in the Community ISBN9780323582247
READ : Child and Adolescent Health Risks
MUST CITE AND REFERENCE FROM BOTH SOURCES!
Expert Solution Preview
Introduction:
Childhood and adolescent obesity is a significant health issue that is prevalent in various populations. National campaigns such as “Let’s Move!” aim to address the various risk factors and mitigate the development of obesity in children and adolescents. As a medical professor, it is crucial to evaluate and understand the risk factors, combat obesity objectives and identify how community nurses can contribute to achieving these objectives.
1. Identify risk factors for childhood obesity.
Studies identify various risk factors that contribute to childhood obesity, including genetic, behavioral, and environmental factors. Sedentary lifestyles, limited physical activity, unhealthy dietary habits, and lack of access to healthy and affordable food contribute to childhood obesity. Other risk factors include prolonged screen time, low socioeconomic status, and parental obesity.
2. Do the risk factors differ, and how do they differ between children and adolescents?
The risk factors for childhood and adolescent obesity are generally similar. However, adolescents face additional risk factors such as body dissatisfaction, negative self-image, anxiety, and depression. These psychological factors can contribute to unhealthy eating habits, inadequate physical activity, and ultimately, obesity.
3. Identify objectives that will combat childhood and adolescent obesity.
The primary objectives to combat childhood and adolescent obesity include promoting healthy dietary habits and physical activity, creating environments that support healthy lifestyles, implementing school-based programs that promote physical activity, and increasing access to healthy food options. Other objectives include creating community-based programs and interventions, promoting breastfeeding and reducing screen time.
4. Provide suggestions on how community health nurses can contribute to these national health objectives and accomplish the goal of decreasing obesity among this population.
Community health nurses can play a vital role in achieving the national objectives to combat childhood and adolescent obesity. They can participate in community initiatives and support intervention programs that promote healthy lifestyles, advocate for policies that encourage healthy living such as nutrition and physical activity policies in schools, and provide education to parents on ways to prevent childhood obesity. Additionally, nurses can work with health care providers to create integrated care systems that include weight management programs for children and adolescents.
In conclusion, childhood and adolescent obesity is a public health concern that requires a comprehensive approach to mitigate risk factors and prevent its development. Nurses and medical professionals have a critical role to play in achieving national objectives to combat childhood obesity and promote healthy lifestyles.
