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Childhood Obesity. Katrina Gotts EMAT 620. Prevalence of Obesity (%). Obesity is linked to. 3 leading causes of death: Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke Diabetes (including type II which until recently was very rare in children) High Blood Pressure Psychosocial issues Osteoporosis
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Childhood Obesity Katrina Gotts EMAT 620
Obesity is linked to • 3 leading causes of death: Heart Disease, Cancer and Stroke • Diabetes (including type II which until recently was very rare in children) • High Blood Pressure • Psychosocial issues • Osteoporosis • Deficient Calcium Intake
Obesity Culprits • Marketing • Unhealthy food at school • 30% of average child’s calories come from sweets, soft drinks, salty snacks and fast foods • Use of cartoon characters to sell food • Using toys, games, or rewards to entice purchasing • Less physical activity • More television, video games, computer • Larger portion sizes
Marketing • $10 billion is spent annually marketing specifically to children • The goal is brand recognition - by using television, celebrity endorsements, toys, games, competitions, sports events, songs and movies • Creates items geared specifically for kids to eat, undermining parent choices and decisions
School’s Contribution to Obesity • 1/2 of young people in the U.S. get either breakfast or lunch from school, 1/10 get both. • Schools have vending machines, concessions, classroom parties, a la carte sales, snack bars • The DGA recommends (not requires) that school’s meet nutrition guidelines, however, most schools still fall short of these guidelines
School’s Responsibility to the Health of Students • After parents and caregivers, schools have the most influence on a child • Schools must provide healthy food choices • Schools must provide nutrition education • Schools must model and reinforce healthy eating • Curtail vending machines, soft drinks, candy, unhealthy snacks, etc. sold on school grounds
Other Ways to Combat Obesity • Eat more vegetables and fruit • Eat meals with family • Increase physical activity • Government must step in to control child-focused marketing
References • Davies, Sue. Marketing of foods to children: a new language. Education Review 19:2, 40-48 • Nestle, Marion. (2006) Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity – A Matter of Policy. The New England Journal of Medicine 354:2527-2529 • Roblin, Lynn. (2007) Childhood Obesity: food, nutrient, and eating-habit trends and influence. Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab. 32:635-645