Summary

Other Disabilities
(Obesity and Education)

Obesity Definition:
• Obesity is defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30.0 or greater.
• Obesity is a chronic physical condition characterized by too much
body fat, which results in higher risk for health problems such as
high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol, diabetes, heart
disease and stroke.

Characteristics of Obesity:
• Obesity is a heterogeneous disorder.
• The development of obesity in humans is of complex etiology,
involving genetic and environmental components that affect
regulatory and metabolic events.
• Overweight persons are at increased risk for coronary artery
disease, high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, and cancer.

Genetic Factors:
• Obesity tends to run in families.
• A child with an obese parent, brother, or sister is more likely to
become obese.
• Genetics alone does not cause obesity.
• Obesity will occur only when a child eats more calories than he
or she uses.

Dietary Habits:
• Children’s dietary habits have shifted from healthy to unhealthy
foods.
• Children’s consume foods high in fat and/or calories and low in
many other nutrients.
• Patterns associated with obesity are eating when not hungry and
eating while watching TV or doing homework.

Socioeconomic Status:
• Low family income, higher calorie intake.

Physical Inactivity:
• Watching Television
• Playing Video Games
• Binge Eating
• Poor role modeling on physical activity by parent
 • Safety paranoia prevent parents from involving children in after
school programs

Other Factors:
• Medical Conditions
• Certain medication may cause weight gain

When to Seek Medical Help:

• If advised by school personnel
• If child is concerned about his/her weight
• If child has difficulty engaging in physical activities

Treatment:
• Positive reinforcement by parent
• Love and Acceptance by loved ones
• Encourage
• Do not criticize
• Be sensitive to child perspective on self image or social
relationships

The Goal in Treatment:

• Stop or slow down weight gain
• Allow child to grow into his/her body weight gradually
• Lose two (2) pounds per month.

Health Problems: (to name a few)

• Asthma
• Diabetes, type 2
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Heart failure

Obesity and Education:

• Child’s weight has a negative impact on their education
o Boy and Girl Obesity Research
 Girls struggled with Reading, Math and Social Skills
 Boys had more absences in school, than those who
were not obese.
The Solution:
• Children who are overweight should be monitored carefully
• School meals and packed lunches should be healthy
• Encourage children to be more active outside of school hours