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Childhood obesity, an ongoing disease burden in various parts of the world, is a serious medical condition where the body stores excessive body fat. It has been investigated by experts, researchers, and medical professionals because its prevalence has been increasing annually. However, plans have been implemented by governments and other institutions to aid in lessening its recurrence. Undoubtedly, children who are obese are prone to developing serious incurable diseases such as cancer, diabetes, and hypertension. Additionally, there are factors that contribute to childhood obesity, which are mostly family-related, and certain socio-emotional and physiological consequences that these individuals encounter in life; however, there are methods that can be used to help reduce and prevent it.
The causes of childhood obesity are intricate, but domestic factors seem to be most associated. Childhood obesity or being overweight begins at home since it is where children are provided with approximately two-thirds of their daily food intake (Curtis, 2017). Additionally, Curtis (2017) pointed out that parents have limited knowledge about healthy portion sizes that they should provide for themselves and their families. Curtis (2017) further explained that parents having limited knowledge about healthy portion sizes is not a shocker because there are insufficient public health resources on this subject matter. This shows that since parents are the ones who are responsible for providing their children with food, their health can be affected by their parent’s incomprehension of healthy eating habits.
Moreover, easygoing parents, those that allow their children to do as they please, tend to have children who consume less healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables, but more unhealthy foods that are high in fats and sugars (Fiese and Bost, 2016). Curtis (2017) discussed that because of parent’s low self-confidence, they have failed in maintaining their own weight and this can also contribute to their inability to manage their children’s weight. Also, Curtis (2017) expressed that communication between parents and children was an issue because parents found it difficult to speak to their children about smaller portion sizes to maintain their weight. As a result, children who are obese are associated with parents who do not communicate with them about their weight.
Furthermore, Curtis (2017) emphasized that not only parents, but grandparents and significant others can be a barrier in regulating their children’s eating habits since they provide them with extra food. These research findings indicate that family, especially parents, play a significant role in their children’s eating habits and most so their weight management. Consequently, due to the severity of childhood obesity, affected individuals will experience certain consequences.
Childhood obesity affects children negatively by disrupting their socio-emotional health. Children who are obese have lower self-esteem than children who are not obese (Krushnapriya et al. 2015). Furthermore, Krushnapriya et al. (2015) explained that because of their weight, obese and overweight children get ridiculed regularly and are bombarded with challenges such as prejudice, social exclusion, and negative stereotypes. These social issues can lower their self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image and cause them to withdraw from peers and close family members. Also, Curtis (2017) determined that communication is difficult for parents because they are afraid that it will cause anxiety in their children. Therefore, anxiety is another socio-emotional consequence that obese children can face. Apart from disrupting a child’s social and emotional health, childhood obesity has physiological consequences.
Chronic illnesses can arise from childhood obesity and can progress into adulthood; they can affect the normal functioning of the body. Childhood obesity is associated with many medical ailments such as fatty liver disease, apnea, asthma, high cholesterol, orthopedic problems, and gallstones and some of these conditions can lead to death (Krushnapriya et al. 2015)
Additionally, Knight, Cole, Dodd, and Oakley (2016) stated that one of the highest rates of childhood obesity was found in the state of Mississippi and that the frequency of obese and overweight students in K-12 increased to 41.8% from 40.9% in 2011. They concluded that Mississippi has one of the highest rates of chronic illnesses such as hypertension, atherosclerosis, and diabetes. Therefore, where ever there are high rates of childhood obesity, the rate of chronic illnesses is certain to be elevated as well. However, there are certain precautions that persons can adhere to reduce and prevent childhood obesity.
Since the causes are childhood obesity is mainly related to family issues, developing better family structures can aid in its prevention. A child’s genetic risk for childhood obesity can be lessened through family communication and by helping them control their feelings and fullness when eating (Fiese and Bost, 2016). They also stated that families who are involved in direct forms of enlightening communication and show an authentic interest in each other are less likely to have children who are obese and are involved in unhealthy eating practices. Likely, Curtis (2017) said that parents' communication and problem-solving skills should be improved so that they can be able to resolve their issues with food. This will eventually benefit their children since they will be able to speak to them about weight management issues.
In conclusion, childhood obesity is caused mainly by family factors, it has socio-emotional and physiological consequences but can be prevented through family interventions. It is caused by parents’ lack of knowledge of healthy eating and weight management, and their lenience in regulating their children's eating habits. These children are socio-emotionally affected by this disease burden because it lowers their self-confidence and self-esteem since they are teased constantly by peers. Physiologically, it can affect the normal functioning of the body and result in chronic diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol. However, if prevention methods such as family communication and knowledge of healthy practices are improved then the prevalence of this disease burden can reduce. Although childhood obesity is caused by domestic matters and has unfavorable outcomes, it can be prevented through better family practices.
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