Impact of Childhood Obesity on Indigenous Children in Queensland

This project presents a poster addressing childhood obesity among Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in rural Queensland. The poster explores the impact of childhood obesity at individual, community, and population levels, emphasizing the need for change in physical activity, behavior, and promotional activities. It outlines action plans, including midstream and upstream approaches, and highlights the importance of addressing the issue to improve the health and well-being of children in this demographic. The poster incorporates references from various health and research sources to support the presented information and recommendations. The project aims to raise awareness and propose strategies for intervention and prevention of childhood obesity within this specific population group.

PRAMIKA MAHARJAN
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iabetesqld.au Statements from global conferences
Key areas where change can be made
One of the key areas is physical activity. WHO (2009)
acknowledges that Regular physical activity is important in weight
reduction and improving insulin sensitivity in aboriginal and Torres
strait islander children with type 2 diabetes. Aerobic exercise has
been shown in a prospective randomized, controlled study of 64
children (9–11 years old) with hypertension to reduce systolic and
diastolic blood pressure over 8 months.
The other key area of change is behavior change. (WHO, 1986) note
that sedentary lifestyle among aboriginal and Torres strait islander is
one of the major cause of childhood obesity. Parents should be at
the forefront to enhance change of the stereotypic behavior that their
children have been used to. Change of behavior will mean that
parents will be careful with whatever they give their children to eat.
The last key area that requires change is promotional activities.
Australian Health Promotion Association. (n.d.) notes that it is not
enough to have school curriculum with subjects on childhood
obesity. There is need to increase the way the whole thing on
obesity in aboriginal and Torres strait islander children could be
avoided or reduced. Individuals need to be enlightened on.
This is in consideration that aboriginal and Torres strait islander
have high probability of experiencing chronic illnesses.
Action plan and intervention
One of the action plan is “Midstream” or behavioral
approaches to obesity prevention. It aims to improve
population dietary and physical activity behavior patterns
among aboriginal and Torres strait islander. “Midstream”
approaches will typically be targeted at the settings level,
where programmes, social marketing, education, and other
initiatives to motivate individuals to change diet and physical
activity behaviors can be implemented (Keleher &
MacDougall (2016)). These settings may include childcare
centers, schools, community and recreational facilities,
households, or religious settings.
The second action plan is he “upstream” or socio-ecological
approach to obesity prevention. It aims to shape the
circumstances and conditions which are the underlying
determinants of health and social equity in society among
aboriginal and Torres strait islander. Actions target the food
environments, physical activity environments and the broader
socioeconomic environments (including taxation, employment,
education, housing and welfare), thus indirectly influencing
population behaviors. Sectors targeted include all aspects of
the food system (Francis et al., 2013)).
Lastly, we have “Downstream” approaches are typically
directed towards supporting health services and medical
(clinical) interventions. In the context of childhood obesity
prevention, these are typically individual based, rather than
population-based among aboriginal and Torres strait islander
(Fleming & Parker, 2019)
References
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW). (2018). Australia’s health 2018.
Australia’s health series no. 16. AUS 221. Canberra: AIHW
Clendon, J. & Munns, A. (2019). Community health and wellness: Principles of
primary health care (6th ed.). Chatswood, NSW: Elsevier Australia.
Duckett, S. & Willcox, S. (2015). The Australian health care system (5th ed.). South
Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford Uni
Edelman, C., Mandle, C. & Kudzma, E. (2014). Health promotion throughout the life
span (8th ed.). St Louis, Missouri: Elsevier
Fleming, M. L., & Parker, E. (2019). Introduction to public health (4th ed.). Chatswood,
NSW: Elsevier Australia
Francis, K., Chapman, Y., Hoare, K., & Birks, M. (Eds). (2013). Australia and New
nd
Zealand Community as partner: Theory and practice in nursing (2 ed.). Sydney,
NSW: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Keleher, H., & MacDougall, C. (Eds). (2016). Understanding health (4th ed.). South
ld Health Organization (WHO). (2009). M
Melbourne, Vic.: Oxford University Press
Wor ilestones in health promotion:
WHO. (1986). Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion
Australian Health Promotion Association. (n.d.) Australian Health Promotion Journal.
CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Children Living in Rural
Impact of childhood obesity
Individual level
According to AIHW (2018) childhood obesity can profoundly
affect aboriginal and Torres strait islander children's physical
health, social, and emotional well-being, and self-esteem. It is
also associated with poor academic performance and a lower
quality of life experienced by the child. Clendon and Munns
(2019) also note that the condition has affected individuals in
rural Queensland leading to high mortality rates.
Community level
It is not uncommon to find under-nutrition and obesity existing
side-by-side within the same country, the same community and
even within the same household in these settings (Francis et al,
2013). This double burden is caused by inadequate pre-natal,
infant and child nutrition among aboriginal and Torres strait
islander which is then followed by exposure to high-fat, energy-
dense, micronutrient-poor foods and a lack of physical activity
as the child grows older (AIHW, 2018).
Population level
Duckett and Willcox (2015) notes that childhood obesity is a
health issue that has significantly affected the population of
Queensland. Most often although not always, aboriginal and
Torres strait islander children succumb to some of illnesses
associated with the condition and hence affecting the number of
children that grow to maturity. The population is also affected as
much care is given to the ailing children (Edelman, Mandle &
Kudzma, 2014)).
Introduction
Child hood obesity A condition in which a child is significantly
overweight for his or her age and height.
Childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and
high cholesterol. There may be no symptoms other than weight
that's above normal. Improving the entire family's diet and
exercise habits is one of the best ways to achieve a healthy
weight in the child
Childhood is an optimal time to establish healthy habits. The
number of children who are overweight is increasing in
Queensland. Health workers are encouraged to provide parents
with information on healthy weight, eating and physical
activity for optimal child growth and development.

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