Primary Prevention in Childhood Obesity
In early 2002, four focus groups comprised of thirty two main care givers of children ranging in age from six to ten were interviewed and investigated. The subjects dealt with related to food preferences, perceptions of weight normalcy, care giving practices related to obesity in children, physical activity and inactivity, etc.
This study revealed conflicts between traditional dietary practices and beliefs, knowledge of disease as it relates to food, expectations of the family, and the values of society at large. Mothers especially seemed to experience unease when it came to evaluating their child feeding practices in comparison to cultural values regarding the nature of food. When it comes to weight in their children, the parents maintained that genetics, metabolism, physiology, intake of food, and level of physical activity all have to be factored in. There were major cultural differences that arose between two different ethnic groups, namely the Filipinos and the Micronesians. For the former, being obese is more of a stigma, while the latter associate thinness with disease and illness and find it less desirable. Micronesians further have it that, traditionally, food is associated with care, love, and generosity. As a result, more and more Micronesians have become afflicted with type 2 diabetes. So their attitude towards food is slowly starting to change, but what has thus happened is that there is now a major conflict between their deeply engrained tradition and the newly emergent issues of disease and diet.
Prevention of obesity ultimately begins at home. For children and young adults dealing with obesity, it is best to evaluate the individual's situation, taking in to consideration environmental, genetic, and metabolic concerns while treating the arising physical and psychological damage that has arisen. An obese child's eating plan should also come with an exercise plan. Long term counseling is often needed to deal with self esteem issues relating to obesity that can effect the child's performance in the real world.
Parents should keep in mind that weight loss is not a healthy or proper method for young children to employ, as their bodies are still developing. Unless a doctor assigns your child to be put on a diet for specific medical reasons, dieting should not be encouraged in young children, as it could deprive them of the nutrients and energy they need to grow.
Related Tags: obesity, diet, dieting, lose weight, overweight, fat, child obesity, teen obesity, teenager obesity
Visit us or share your opinions at the worlds best homepage or free content resource
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Obesity Fact - 3 Causes Of Obesity
How many causes of obesity you know? If you are the one who over-weight and trying to lose weight, t - How To Get Rid Of Belly Fat - 5 Damn Easy Steps To Start Now!!
This is something no one wants really, but it's like "I can't help it" thing. Accumulating fat aroun - Obesity Is a Growing Problem
The number of overweight children ages 6 to 11 doubled in the last 20 years; in that same period, t - Never Too Early To Educate Your Child
Being a Wellness Educator I teach college students and train clients from ages 2 to 84. The fitness - Laparoscopic Obesity Surgery - How It Works and Can You Really Lose Weight With It
Laparoscopic obesity surgery is not a new term in weight loss, as a matter of fact you have probably - Mini Gastric Bypass Surgery Can Save your Life
Mini gastric bypass surgery is a frequent medical term that actually describes many similar kinds of - Espresso, Google and... Proactol
It was one of those days when I got up in the morning and had no willing to do my ordinary stuff. So - Gastric Bypass Information - What Exactly Is Gastric Bypass And How It Works
In the recent years you have probably heard quite a bit gastric bypass information, the term itself - Top 3 Reasons Why Your Kids are Fat
I love kids. Especially fat kids. They're like big teddy bears, nice to hold and hug. If I ever have - Food Intolerance and Obesity - It May Not Be Your Fault That You're Fat
As many as 80-90% of us have some form of adverse reaction to one or more foods or additives. Eating
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Boost Your Metabolism In Order To Lose Weighty
Perhaps you think that in order to lose weight you need to cut your calories way down. However, when - Overweight Children Need after School Activities
Is your child overweight? What does your child do when they come home from school? Have a snack and - Can eGovernment Help the Obese eCitizen Lose Weight by Providing Proper Information?
In the United States of America we have a weight problem, obesity challenge and it is reaching epide - New Weapons to Fight the Obesity Epidemic in XXI Century - Will They Fulfill the Promise?
Today most nations reached a point where obesity has changed from an individual health problem to a - Risks of Obesity Cited as #1 Health Issue in 2020
According to Janet L. Bruno MD, an obesity expert, there are a number of diseases which are directly - Environmental Pollutants and Obesity
About four years ago at a health conference in Las Vegas, Nevada, I proposed a mechanism which expla - Obesity is a Disease
Walking through a crowded shopping mall on a Saturday afternoon it's easy to notice that most Americ - Obesity In Child
Strange things always seem to happen during the holidays. Our clothes shrink! And it seems like it - Childhood Obesity Prevention Program Generates Instant and Delayed Gratification Simultaneously
Teaching kids to immunize themselves against obesity by teaching them to perform pull ups (obese kid - Finally A Healthy Way To Lose Weight!
I know a lot of people make New Year's resolutions, but many people seem to fail at them. This past