BEL311

TERM PAPER
TOPIC: OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD
FOCUS: WAYS TO PREVENT OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD
GROUP: AE009R2
PREPARED BY:
NUR FATIHAH BINTI KAMARUDDIN
2012432636
SITI NARISSA SARA BINTI ROZNI
2012600958
SYARIFAH ANIS AQILA BINTI SYED NASIR
2012497768

WAYS TO PREVENT OBESITY AMONG CHILDHOOD

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) survey in 2010 (Childhood

overweight and obesity, 2013), Malaysia was ranked as the sixth in Asia in the highest
obesity rate. Obesity means having too much fat in the body. According to the American
Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry(2010), when the childs weight is at least10
percent higher than what is recommended , they are not considered as obese. It is also stated
that, during childhood between 5 to 6 ages the obesity commonly occurs. Why does obesity
happen among children? Obesity among children can be caused by genes or family lifestyles
(What is obesity?, 2013). Obesity also can be caused by lack of exercise and sleep. However,
obesity among children is at risk for numerous health problems during their youth and into
adulthood for example, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes. In order to prevent
childhood obesity, parents, school and government should play their roles.
Parents should play the most important role to overcome obesity among children.
Parents plays an important role at home by controlling their childrens diet. Parents have to
ensure that their children take breakfast every day and eat healthy food in a suitable
quantity. This is a very significant way as according to Smith and Robinson(2012), children
who skip their breakfast tend to be overweight compared to the children who eat breakfast.
Besides, according to NSW Department of Health (2003) , one research had suggested that
accessibility of healthy food in the house can be a significant impact on the development of
childrens diet behaviour. In addition, parents should educate their children about the
importance of taking care of their health. They should teach them about food nutrition by
explaining to them the benefit of following the food pyramid. Parents also have to be a good
role model to their children as it can influence them. According to a survey , conducted by
American Dietetic Association(2007), parents ranked highest as their children nutrition role
model. Obviously, parents play a significant role in helping their children overcoming
obesity.
Besides that, school authority should take action in preventing obesity among
children. School canteen can take part by providing more healthy menu based on food the
pyramid. Food pyramid can guide us to a balance and right amount of consumption from
different types of food. According to NSW Department of Health (2003) , school should elect

their menu base on the food pyramid. Moreover, according to Dinakaran(2012), school
should inspire the student to eat healthy food and cut down the selling of junk food. In
addition, school increase the students opportunity to participate in activities that develop
fundamental movement skills. According to a research conducted by NSW Department of
Health (2003), children who possess fundamental movement skills are more likely to join in
physical activity. Besides, Wechsler, McKenna, Lee and Dielz(2004), state that these
opportunities can be participated by all students, including those who are not active in sport
and those with special health care needs. School also should improve students knowledge
about health by creating policies. According to Walker (2011), the wellness policies and
curriculum that support and include nutrition, physical education and opportunity for
physical activity can be created which can affect the change on health outcome. To
summarize, school authority must take their part to prevent this problem by creating health
policies and increase their opportunities in fundamental skills.
The government also plays an important role in order to prevent this obesity among
childhood. The Government should give free medical consultation to all the family members
of obese children to help them change their lifestyles. According to Batlista and Wright
(2012),the government should organize activities that lead in lowering the number of obesity
among children by promoting detailed information about the culture of health. Moreover, the
government can also organize an awareness campaign of fighting obesity or organize a camp.
North American Percis Syndicate, NAPS (2012) states about Obesity Prevention in Children
Campaign, created by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services. This campaign
focused on helping the children maintaining a healthy weight by helping the parents and
caregivers emphasising the benefits of physical activity and healthy eating practise in a fun
and engaging way for the whole family. By doing this way, the children may be attracted to
take part in this campaign. According to Larson (2012), the camp can encourage the children
to eat healthier meal and do more physical activities. Besides, the government can publish
information about healthy diet on a website. User can get information and ask questions
about overweight and obesity. This step may help the parent to get information on their
fingertips. In short, government can do some action in preventing obesity among children by
increasing community knowledge especially for children and parent about importance of
practising healthy lifestyle.
In conclusion, parents, school authority and the government must play their role in
preventing and treating children from obesity. Parents play an important role to guide their

children to living a healthy lifestyle to avoid their children from gaining much weight. As
Maman argue it seems clear that the problem of childhood obesity will not be solved
without clearer understanding and recognition of all the pertinent information involved on the
part of government , education, parents and children themselves (Maman, 2005). By
controlling children`s diet, regulating school policies on physical education and physical
activity as well as the cooperation of parents, children can be kept away from getting obese.
We should make a step forward in preventing this issue as prevention is better than cure.

REFERENCES

Battista, L., & Wright, L. (2012). Chilhood obesity. Retrieved February, 2013, from
Kaplan University:
http://helpingprofessions.kaplan.edu/articles/early_childhood/Childhood_O
besity_-_What_Schools_Can_Do_To_Make_A_Difference.html
Childhood overweight and obesity. (2013). Retrieved February, 2013, from World
Health Organization.
Davis, J. L. (2007). Your child nutrition: The power of parent. Retrieved 18
January, 2013, from WebMD: http://www.webmd.com
Dinakaran, U. (27 October, 2012). The bane of junk food. Retrieved 18 January,
2013, from Deccan Herald: http://www.deccanherald.com
Larson, J. (1 August, 2012). Retrieved 18 January, 2013, http://www.letsmove.gov
Maman, Y. (2005). Meals for school-what next? Multiple causes and multiple
responses. Journal of Integrated Care , 48-51.
NAPS, North American Precis Syndicate. (30 November, 2012). PSA Campaign
Addresses Childhood Obesity.
NSW Department of Health. (2003). Prevention of obesity in children and young
people NSW Goverment Action Plan 2003-2007. North Sydney: NSW
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
Smith, M., & Robinson, L. (November, 2012). Weight problems and obesity in
children. Retrieved January, 2013, from HELPGUIDE.ORG:
www.helpguide.org/mental/childhood_obesity.htm
Walker, P. D. (Spring 2011). Winning the war against childhood obesity: The role
of teacher and schools in early childhood education. A Journal of College of
Education & Health Professions Columbus State University, 43.
Wechsler, H., L. McKenna, M., M.Lee, S., & H.Dielz, W. (December, 2004).
Adolescent and school health. Retrieved December, 2012,
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/physicalactivity/pdf/roleofschools_obesity
.pdf
What is obesity? (22 February, 2013). Retrieved February, 2013, from Kid's
health : http://www.cyh.com/HelpsTopic/HelpsTopicdetailkids