Back when I was a kid, I would come home from school, do my homework, and then go outside to play until dinner time (bikes, roller-skates, four-square, it didn't matter)...My friends were the same way...and there weren't many obese children around.
Fast forward to 2013 and new statistics just coming out that for 2010-2011, although the national % of obesity children is leveling off (finally), some states such as Arizona actually saw an increase in youth obesity (from 17-19% of all children falling into this category).
Here's a link to the MSNBC page about the overall numbers...the Arizona statistic I heard on the news...
http://www.nbcnews.com/health/exercise-diet-habits-improving-among-youth-study-8C11167235
Why do you think we're seeing such a discrepancy? What are the consequences of obesity in children? What can we do as future healthcare professionals (or should this be our problem)?
In my opinion, in low income households, foods such as vegetables and non preservatives are difficult and expensive to obtain, thus limiting a low income family to purchase less expensive and less healthy foods. According to the last part on this website: http://frac.org/initiatives/hunger-and-obesity/are-low-income-people-at-greater-risk-for-overweight-or-obesity/ , there is a big relationship between poverty and obesity in children. According to this website: azeconomy.eller.arizona.edu/AZE13Q1/poverty_measures_Arizona.asp , Arizona has the 6th worst poverty rate in the nation. I think this is a main, and plausible, reason that there is such a discrepancy between the national percentage and the percentage in Arizona of obese children. The consequences of obesity in children are more than worthy of acknowledgement. For one, many severe diseases, such as heart disease or hepatitis, can and most likely will develop in adulthood of an obese child. Another very scary consequence is that, according to a study done by pediatric endocrinologist David Ludwig, childhood obesity could decrease life expectancy by two to five years if measures aren't taken to ameliorate the disease from it's onset. As future healthcare professionals, we can volunteer our time to advocate healthier lifestyles to low income households. As a college student, I know all too well the life of a low income individual and how to live and eat healthily on a low budget. I think this is the case for most college students. Helping low income families realize what they can do to live healthily and within their means would be a great way to help level off the percentage of obese children in Arizona and other similar states, in my opinion.
ReplyDeleteLast semester there was a talk given at the Levy Cancer Center that spoke to the effects upon fetuses of allergens. When you consider processed foods and that to which the unborn are predisposed while their immune systems are yet unable to fend for themselves, it is no wonder there is an increase in inflammatory diseases amongst children and adults.
ReplyDeleteSoapbox: It is often easy for a medical professional to explain a patient's obesity as non-compliance when indeed the choice made by the patient may be to fill the prescription and further stretch the budget by taking half doses and eating cheap, pro-inflammatory foods. This post above, especially in view of the "Gut Bacteria" post, in my opinion, provide clues for investigating the role of physical activity in regulating inflammation and obesity. With many cardio diseases based in inflammation, the number of articles citing exercise as beneficial is not surprising.
It would be interesting to see who the other 6 states are that fall below Arizona. I wonder, with an increase in obesity and diabetes among Native Americans across the nation, does having a reservation within the state play a significant role in these findings, which suggest an increase in obesity and BMI rates (or lack of decrease)?
ReplyDeleteThe CDC has a fascinating tool called a "food desert map" that shows the distance a community must travel to gain access to nutritionally adequate and affordable foods. Interestingly enough, communities who suffer the highest amount of structural violence are low income communities and, you guessed it, Native American communities (i.e. reservations). Therefore, there is little doubt in my mind that access to goods and services plays a pivotal role in the obesity epidemic we are facing today.
OH! I didn't even think about the possible connection between Native American reservations and the obesity epidemic. It definitely makes a lot of sense, to me, anyway, that limited access to goods and services is directly related to the health of the community.
DeleteHow did you come across that CDC food desert map? I find that really interesting.
I was doing some ethnographic research on the disparities associated with communities and healthcare/structural violence. Among the many inequalities was adequate food sources, which led me to CDC research. It's a neat, albeit not perfectly accurate, tool that I think everyone should know about.
DeleteMy major contribution to this discussion about the association, very close association in fact, between obesity, inflammatory diseases, type 2 diabetes and poverty level is one more factor that is associated as well: education. In my opinion, the financial and nutritional education of this country is nearly non-existant. If you want to learn about these topics, you're pretty much on your own. Things like this also need to start at a young age in order to cultivate good, healthy habits versus the bad ones that put us in debt and in a position in which it is impossible to take good care of ourselves from a financial standpoint. Yes, good food is expensive. And yes, Arizona is a lower income state. But also, Arizona is at the bottom of the education list when it comes to our elementary and high school education system.
ReplyDeleteI took Dr. Keene's exercise physiology class last semester and we had a pulmonologist visit. At one point we were talking about atherosclerosis and he said that there were autopsies done on 18 year old soldiers after they had been killed. What was found was athersclerotic plaque build up in their arteries already - at age 18!!!!! So this is not necessarily something that takes until we are in our 30's to develop. We've got to learn something about finances and health when we're young in order to develop those good habits, as I mentioned before.
I think it would be interesting to see how the habits of the parents influence their kids. While I was growing up, I was always outside. There was a park around the corner where my friends would gather and play even in the heat of summer! But I was also encouraged to do this by my parents. To get out an run around and do things.
ReplyDeleteToday there are so many fears that children are going to get abducted, that kids don't go anywhere alone. Parents have to take their kids out to do things whenever they have time. Or they play in their own yard but it is boring to run around by yourself! Much easier to log onto playstation network or xbox live, and play with your friends that way.
Food and what you eat is important. It is also important to have your body use what you eat! With schools cutting P.E and recess it takes a lot more than a "be outside for at least 30 mins a day" public service announcement to get kids to be active. Especially when you live somewhere as hot as Arizona!
Hi Ann,
DeleteI agree with everything you mentioned! When I was younger, I was always outside playing in the streets with my neighbors. We would be running around until it was time to eat dinner. I do agree with you on parents being scared that their child might become abducted. Statistics show that every 40 seconds in the United States, a child becomes missing or is abducted. It seems as if there are so many things that can go wrong if a child is outside playing. If I were a parent, I too would be scared and would not want my child to ever go outside or be alone. I’m 22 years old and every morning my mom still tells me to be careful because of how many incidents have recently occurred. However, instead of just playing on your xbox or playstation, I think parents should enroll their child into a club team. It’s a safer alternative because there are always several parents around watching all the children.
As for food, I do understand how someone with a low income would have a more difficult time buying healthier foods. However, it can be done if someone put the time into it. Someone can buy a can of black beans, kidney beans, or corn for 99 cents each at Fry’s. Also, the parents can buy a jar of peanut butter and jelly and bread for really cheap and make it last for several meals. I do believe it is the parent’s fault why their children are obese. It is not okay, and something should be done, starting with making the parents more aware!
Bilich, Karin A. "Child Abduction Facts." Parents Magazine. N.p., n.d. Web. 27 Sept. 2013. .
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ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, not looking at poverty, it is more of a matter of choice/decision. General population tend to go towards what taste better when they eat like eating a huge burger over a salad. Generally food with more fats taste better, so maybe taste have to do with something about this discrepancy. Also I have a couple of friends that are considered pretty well off and they are obese for the same exact reasons of choice. Recently burger king also release a new type of french fries called the "satisfries" that has 30% less fat and 20% fewer calories than BK's current fries. (And 40% less fat and 30% fewer calories than McDonald's fries.)", but "cost 20 cents to 30 cents more per serving except in Kids Meals". On the bright side of this new item, the kids will get a healthier meal, but I wouldn't be exactly sure if those percentage are even true to begin with. Here is the link:http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/business/2013/09/24/burger-king-french-fries-satisfries-fast-food-restaurant-industry-mcdonalds/2854243/
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