Running head: CHILDHOOD OBESITY 1

Literature Review: Childhood Obesity

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Literature Review: Childhood Obesity

Obesity is an intricate illness that involves body fats that is in excess. Obesity stretches

beyond cosmetic concern; it is a problem with the health and medical risks of diseases. Over

recent decades, obesity has grown to be a significant problem in western states. It has also been

established that infant or childhood obesity is also on the rise. Numerous research pieces have

been done regarding the growth, risks, and mitigation models of childhood obesity.

According to the World Health Organization (2018), there exist several tools that can be

used in the definition of childhood obesity. The ration of weight against height is the most

common among all the tools of description. The weight against height formula is also referred to

as BMI. The BMI model of establishing obesity takes into account the age and gender of the

child. In addition to this, the model ensures improved accuracy by incorporating various other

variables. There is a continual debate on the causes of childhood obesity. Hemmingsson, (2018),

argues that childhood obesity may be as a result of the race, gender, special educational needs,

genetics, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors. Hemmingsson, (2018), states that

although the genetic disorder is one of the causes of childhood obesity, it accounts for less than

2% of the cases. On the other hand, Flodmark (2018) argues that before childhood obesity can be

attributed to the above causes, there is a need to rule out disease states that result in secondary

obesity. The researcher outlines some of the diseases, such as neurological lesions, congenital,

and endocrinopathies syndromes.

Several factors affect children suffering from obesity. Carey et al. (2016) state that one of

the leading factors that affect children suffering from obesity is psychological factors. He

reiterates that majority of children suffering from obesity have low self-esteem, which may

develop to become depression. Other risk factors include dyslipidemia, diabetes mellitus, and
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hypertension. Dyslipidemia varies from decreased high-density lipoproteins, elevated low-

density lipoproteins, and hyperlipidemia. Since the causes of childhood obesity vary, Flodmark

(2018) outlines that treatment also varies.

The first way to treat childhood obesity is by improving diet, modification of behavior,

and exercise. Requirements concerning food need to strictly abide by medical advisory since

children are still in the growing age, and they need indispensable nutrients for their growth.

Hemmingsson (2018) adds that an all-inclusive approach is highly needed to help reduce the rate

of childhood obesity. Evidence presented by Hemmingsson (2018), backs measures based on a

healthy diet and physical activity. The researcher also supports satisfactory behavioral care for

children. He argues that giving behavioral support decreases the risk of childhood obesity.

Different factors drive interventions of childhood obesity World Health Organization. (2018). 

School intervention is one of the source factors that should be instrumental in modeling a

child's behavior and helping to prevent obesity. According to the World Health Organization.

(2018), incorporation of physical activity in curriculum goes a long way in reducing childhood

obesity. Family intervention is also another source factor that can help reduce obesity. Family

behavioral causes such as the mother’s knowledge of nutrition are a significant factor in the

control and prevention of childhood obesity. When a healthy diet is adhered to, the rate of

childhood obesity significantly goes down. Lastly, anti-natal intervention also delivers a

significant reduction in childhood obesity.

References
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Carey, F. R., Khang, Y. H., Hendriks, A. M., Reifsnider, E., Walsh, A. D., & Douglas, F. (2016).

Advances in Childhood Obesity. Advances in Childhood Obesity, 311.

Flodmark, C. E. (2018). Prevention models of childhood obesity in Sweden. Obesity facts, 11(3),

257-262.

Hemmingsson, E. (2018). Early childhood obesity risk factors: socioeconomic adversity, family

dysfunction, offspring distress, and junk food self-medication. Current obesity

reports, 7(2), 204-209.

World Health Organization. (2018). Taking action on childhood obesity (No.

HO/NMH/PND/ECHO/18.1). World Health Organization.