Childhood Obesity Essay Assignment

Running head: Psychology essay
Preventing obesity in childhood
Name of Student
Name of the University
Author notes

PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY1
Childhood obesity, in recent days identified as a burden in all over the world. Obesity
and overweight has raised by verity of environmental as well as social factors, which majorly
influence the physical activity and food habit of individuals. However, according to an
estimation, more than average of 25% children in Australia is facing the issue of overweight.
The experiment showed that 1 in 4 children and 1 in 3 adults are suffering from overweight
and obesity in Australia (Hayes et al., 2016). There exists two main reasons of targeting the
childhood obesity. Firstly, obese and overweight children or even teens are much more likely
to be obese as adults as compared to the normal children; and the second reason is that, once
the overweight affects them or obese, losing weight is highly difficult. In addition to that, in
case of many children, unhealthy eating patterns along with negligible physical activity
become the major reason of overweight (Ogden et al., 2014). Since such habits are created in
early childhood; therefore, the prevention activities need to be done in this stage only (Sahoo
et al., 2015). This essay is going to be emphasize on the main reasons of early childhood
obesity, major problems related to this and the methods of preventing this issue.
Childhood obesity can be viewed as a serious medical condition, which not only
affects the children but also put major impact on the adolescents. Children who are suffering
with obesity are found to be more than the normal weight in terms of their height and age.
The vital reason of over weight gain in children are also similar to that in the adults, and
mainly includes factors like the genetics and behaviour of individuals (Kelsey et al., 2014).
The selected issue is an important matter to be concern and particularly troubling factor as the
additional pounds can cause many issue in their life and health issues such as high blood
pressure, diabetes along with high cholesterol can happen when they become adult. Most of
the obese children also grow to be obese adults, especially when one or both the parents
suffers from obesity. Obesity in early childhood might also lead to depression and poor self-

PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY2
esteem. A wide range of factors may bring on this health issue among the children and these
factors often come in combinations. The major risk factor for this issue is the obesity in both
parents. Other cause are also reflected by the genetic issues and family environment of the
children (Cote et al., 2013). Other important reasons for this issue also due to the body type
of the children and their psychological factors. However, main cause of obesity in childhood
are discussed below.
Childhood obesity mainly generated due to the interplay among several genetic as
well as environmental factors. Polymorphisms in several genes that controls the metabolism
and appetite can lead the individuals or children towards obesity while more than necessary
calories are present. In addition, more than 200 genes can also affect the individual’s weight
by determining the food preferences, metabolism, body type, and activity level. Some rare
genetic condition such as, MOMO syndrome, Leptin receptor mutation, Bardet-Biedl
syndrome, Melanocortin receptor mutations and many others (Kumar & Kelly, 2017). Apart
from the genetic issues, the family practices also become reason of obesity in case of the
children. Children, now a days are more likely to spend their time inside the house due to
higher addiction with the technologies; and hence, absence of physical activities are
becoming a reason for which children are getting overweight. As the family size decreases,
the pester power of children, along with their ability to force the adulthood and the intention
of doing what they want increases (Pulgaron, 2013). Therefore, the food routine and the food
consumption of them get affected. Apart from that, the social context present around the
family mealtime also plays a greater role increasing the childhood obesity. With the
development of several plans, government of several countries are providing meals to the
students. In some cases, the quality of lunches provided in the schools and lack of physical
activities and games leads the students towards higher obesity. As a whole, it can be said

PSYCHOLOGY ESSAY3
insufficient balance in the diet, unhealthy eating habits absence of sufficient physical
activities mainly lead towards childhood obesity (Bailey et al., 2014).
Discussing about the symptoms of overweight or obesity among the children, it can be
said that not all the children carry additional pounds or obese or overweight. However, some
children appear larger than their average body structures. During the development stages of
children, they normally carry several amounts of body fats (Simmonds et al., 2016).
Therefore, it need to be a major concern of the parents and family members to analyse
whether the child is just healthy by body structure or overweight. Measurement of body mass
index (BMI), on a periodical basis is necessary for the children that will provides an overall
idea about the correct weight of a child according to his/her age and height. Children who are
suffering from overweight or obesity often suffer from shortness of breath. Obese child faces
difficulty in effortlessly moving around and due to presence of higher fat around the neck,
facing of dyspnea is more obvious. The additional amount of fat also create complicacy for
the airflow in and out of the lungs (Wang et al., 2013).
The vital widespread consequences of the selected issue of childhood obesity are
related to the psychological effect on the kids. Obese children are considered as the easy
targets of systematic and early discrimination. However, as they become mature, these effects
become discrimination and become higher insidious and culture-bound (Bleich et al., 2013).
Obesity in the early childhood can have many harmful impacts on the children in terms of
both physically and mentally. Health issues like high cholesterol and high blood pressure are
some major consequence of obesity that lead to cardiovascular disease. In addition to that,
breathing issues like asthma along with sleep apnea can also happen due to this (Wabitsch,
Moss & Kromeyer-Hauschild, 2014). Musculoskeletal discomfort and joint pain can happen
when the obesity children enter in their adulthood. Gastro-esophageal reflux, heartburn,
gallstones, acidity and fatty liver disease are some common consequence of obesity that