Obesity Management In Kids: Initiatives For Raising Healthier Kids

Recent Initiative of Raising Healthier Kids

The current assignment focuses on the concept of obesity management in kids through a number of implementation programs. Obesity has been the problem of the hour and has been adversely affecting the health of all age groups across the globe. The current assignment however focuses upon the young age group who had been predominantly affected with obesity owing to their lifestyle and food habits. Some of the current trends have been highlighted through the assignment which impacts upon the overall health of the growing children. The assignment focuses upon the initiatives for raising healthier kids through controlling obesity. For the purpose of which there is a need to increase free access to healthier diets.

There has been a lot of work on the global frontier for obesity control and management in young kids. Random checks and assessment programs have been run in schools to identify the overweight or obese kids. These kids are further undergone thorough health checkups for analysis of associated health complications. In this regards, the New Zealand government has launched a B4 school check in the Bay of Plenty area, which is a nationwide programme for identification and addressing the health, behavioural , social and developmental concerns which  has a strong influence in  shaping up the well being and overall personality of a child (Roberto, (2015))

One of the prime objectives listed under the B4 school programme is obesity management in young kids. Under this the children 95 % obese children were offered referral through clinical trials, where they were subjected to further intervention through active lifestyle changes and incorporation of healthy diet. The B4 school campaign is repeated at an interval of very six months and the figures are reported to the respective government channels and authorities responsible for providing interim solutions to the problem.

The problem of obesity is much widespread and can have much deleterious effect on the life of an individual. Obesity often comes along with huge number complications. Though the effect is much pronounced physically, there are wide scale emotional consequences too (Fitzpatrick, 2017). The obese kids have been seen to develop associated health complications such as respiratory disorders and hormonal complications. The obese condition in children has been often related to hormonal disorders which are much pronounced in case of girl child.

In this regard, the lifestyle changes through incorporation of sufficient number of exercises in the daily routine of the child can be beneficial. Additionally, incorporation of fresh fruits and vegetables in the diet of the children could help in controlling the bad cholesterol. Moreover, some of the bright coloured fruits are rich source of antioxidant and has repairing properties (Anderson, 2016).

Health education plays a significant role in this aspect b helping in removing the myths and false beliefs possessed by the family members of the obese children. Sometimes the parents of the children are of the mentality that their child is not obese but healthy (Swinburn, 2013). These wrong ideologies could only be removed through sufficient health education and monitoring by active health channels and community networks.

Suggestions on the Best way to Enhancece Towards the Accomplishment of this Objective

The accesses to healthier foods need to be promoted on a community wide basis with the help of local and federal level government. Healthy eating can improve the health standards of the community as a whole. Eating healthy foods promote economic development by reducing the charges spent in community wide unnecessary hospital administration (Kelly, 2015). Healthy eating could be correlated with strong immunity and better resilience.

Some of the effective measures which could be followed over here for improving the access to healthier have been discussed thoroughly over here. In this respect, development of a local food network, conducting regular assessment of local food can promote the access to healthier food. The local and federal government of New Zealand has introduced a concept known as Knowledge garden (Hayes, 2014). The ideology behind such initiative is to develop sufficient sustainability framing skills within the community. Here, the local people are taught regarding the methods and process of growing healthy fruits and vegetables in their kitchen gardens through vegetative propagation and organic farming. Additionally, organising ‘buy local’ campaign by the government through highlighting the positive effects of eating healthy could be a much appreciated step forward (Vandevijvere, 2014).

Communities need to Improve on Putting up More Supermarkets in the Rural Areas as well

The   local residents of the Bay of Plenty Area should be encouraged to participate in such campaigns by educating them regarding the ill effects of obesity on long term health and the impact of healthy eating in controlling and management of the same.  One of the approaches which could be undertaken over here is setting up of more number of supermarkets in the rural areas.

Studies and evidences have shown that majority of the population are residing in the rural areas. This also includes the Maori group of people which is an indigenous group settled in the interior parts of New Zealand and are often denied the basic services such as health services, education among others.

Additionally, the language typical of the community isolates them from the rest of the population restricting their access to the supermarkets. According to NZ statistics 17% of Maori children are obese as compared to 8% of Non-Maori children. This ratio becomes triple in most deprived areas. Therefore, educating  the indigenous community regarding the health benefits of eating fresh fruits and vegetables along with supporting them to set up their own food outlets can be a progressive step ahead (Sabin, 2015). Additionally provision of food at nominal prices can attract a huge base of target customers.

The local residents should be encouraged to collect their foods directly from the farms. This could be reducing a lot of time as well as additional charges vested in the setting up of supermarkets. The same could be promoted by the state and federal level government by promoting active workshops along with the schools. Under the B4 school program the New Zealand government in collaboration with the school conduct active workshops where the children are educated regarding the benefits of healthy eating and the nutritional quotient of each and every vegetable (Malakellis, 2017). The program also includes details regarding effective weight management through self care.

Systems to Promote Easier Access to Healthier Foods

The initiative could be discussed with the parents and they could be asked to take their children to the farms and educate them more regarding the health benefits of eating healthy. The participation in these programs could be further appraised through provision of small gifts. Therefore such practices undertaken could generate sufficient interests and knowledge within the community regarding health benefits of fresh fruits and vegetables purchased right through the farm than processed food and vegetables.

The New Zealand government has recently focussed upon walking infrastructure to promote active lifestyle within the community. Statistical reports and analysis has shown that one out of 4 children in NZ is obese and suffering from a number of a number of health complications. Some of these are fatigue in performing in simple and basic tasks or activities such as running, jogging, lifting objects from one place to another. Health reports and medical surveys through randomised control trials in the Bay of Plenty area of New Zealand have pointed out that 25 out of the focus group consisting of 137 children reported hyperthyroidism, hormonal disorders and asthmatic conditions (Dodd, 2014). Therefore, in order to provide the children with healthy alternatives the government has initiated a project where wider footpaths and pavements are made to promote brisk walking and cycling activities in the children.

The heavy traffic on the roads often delimits the children from cycling over there. Therefore, the lack of activities and the sedentary lifestyle of the children often contribute towards increasing the rate of obesity in the children.

Some of the techniques which could be applied by the community for bringing about a change in the present health status of an individual are organizing workshops in schools. This could be a means of educating the children and their parents regarding the benefits of healthy eating. Some of the change movements which could be brought about by the government in this regard include organizing health and activity sessions such as community wide running programmes where both the children and their parents are encouraged to participate and are appreciated through provision of gifts.  Additionally, free access to fresh food and increasing the number of distribution channels can reduce the dependency on readymade foods (Gendall, 2015).

Conclusion 

There has been a drastic rise in the consumption of oil rich fast foods or junk foods and preserved foods. These are high on the cholesterol content which adds on the excess of adipose tissue leading to obesity. The obesity have been resulting in vast number of health related issues in the children ranging from diabetes, hormonal disorders,  respiratory and cardiovascular issues, fatigue. Therefore, a number of intervention methods and approaches could be followed for providing the children with alternative strategies for obesity control and management. Some of these are lifestyle changes, healthy diet plan, educating the children and their respective families.

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