Health Promotion of Childhood Obesity: KOALA Program Evaluation

This report delves into the critical issue of childhood obesity, particularly prevalent in Australia and New Zealand, highlighting its impact on children's health and well-being. It explores the significance of body mass index (BMI) as a key indicator and the psychological and physical implications of obesity, including potential long-term health risks. The report focuses on the KOALA (Kinder Overweight Activity Lifestyle Actions) Program, which aims to address childhood obesity through environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors. The KOALA Program's approach, involving intensive therapy and community interventions, is evaluated using Cognitive Social Theory, emphasizing the role of observational learning and social interaction in influencing behavioral changes. The evaluation considers how the program aims to promote health and fitness within families and communities, and how it uses pre-clinical biomarkers for early detection of obesity-related complications, ultimately aiming to transform the overall approach to childhood obesity in society.

Health Promotion of Obesity &
KOALA Program evaluation using
Cognitive Social theory
Student Name: Student ID:
Subject Name: Subject ID:
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1.0 Introduction
Obesity amongst children in Australia and New Zealand is particularly high (Wang &
Lim, 2012). Environmental factors induce dietary patterns and physical activities that lead to
physical disabilities in children. There is various impact of weight on children’s ability to
perform basic roles. Researchers had conducted various studies to analyse comparative variance
between children those who were overweight and non-overweight. Significance discrepancy in
results was obtained that reflected a critical area of study (Smibert et.al., 2010). The scope of this
study encompasses health promotion of obesity in children along with identification of KOALA
Program that aimed at analysis of lifestyle of overweight children.
2.0 Health Promotion of Obesity
Children obesity is a major health concern across Australia and New Zealand. It is
considered a condition in which excess body fat affects health of a child’s wellbeing. It is nearly
impossible to determine body fat directly; hence it is best assessed by BMI. Childhood obesity is
regarded as a serious health concern. Recently there is a rise in childhood obesity rates affecting
majority of the population that is contributed by unhealthy diet (De Onis, Blössner & Borghi,
2010). Implications of childhood obesity are not only psychological but also physical in nature.
Dr. Gary Leong establishes that children, who are obese, have reached alarming levels in
Australia. With current trends continuing it has been estimated that more than half of Australia’s
children will be overweight. Such explosion in being overweight will lead to emerging of Type 2
Diabetes in young adults or adults.
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Research indicates children, who are obese are prone to less activeness and coordination
in their activities. They tend to have lower strength capabilities with little static and dynamic
balance. An important indicator that can affect health programs in obesity is BMI (Body Mass
Index). With multifarious health impacts associated with obese children there can be morbidity
that arises at a very young age. There is a growing concern amongst health practioner and GP in
Australia to undertake measures to curb obesity amongst children. Obese children experiences
higher degree of psychological and emotional traumas from their peers. They are also known to
face discrimination within their own family, leading to development of low self-esteem. Physical
conditions can often lead to being life-threatening as indicated by sleep problems, cancer, high
blood pressure, heart diseases, diabetes along with other disorders. In various cases liver
diseases, menarche or early puberty might set in. Long-term health impacts from obesity might
be greater as they grow into adults. There are various causes attributed to reasons for childhood
obesity.
The topic has attracted immense interests from me due to the nature of the topic itself.
Firstly, the subject allows diversified areas of study by connecting childhood obesity with
morbidity during adulthood. Secondly, there is a plethora of situations that might arise in case
childhood obesity is not connected to its reason for best possible treatment (D’MELLO et. al.,
2011). Most importantly, this subject is of interests because it allows reversing of effects,
meaning it is easier to deal with childhood obesity rather than treating an adult with morbidities.
Type 2 diabetes is easier dealt with during childhood period rather than in adulthood. Therefore,
it can be said this topic offers versatile range of opportunities to undertake analysis, which is the
reason for the selection.
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3.0 KOALA Program
KOALA is an abbreviated form for Kinder Overweight Activity Lifestyle Actions. The
program aims at analysing childhood obesity factors by various means encompassing
environmental, behavioral and genetic (Lee, et. al., 2010). Various researches were conducted
with children for understanding risks they are exposed to, for development of cardiovascular
disease, metabolic syndrome and Type 2 Diabetes. The program conducted several studies to
make various conclusions from the same. They identified not only genetic factors being crucial
rather family lifestyle for prevention of long-term health problems. An intensive therapy
approach was targeted at these children for controlling factors related to obesity amongst
children. The study aims at controlling children between 6 to 10 years of age and is incorporated
by Mater Children’s Hospital along with The University of Queensland. Various leading medical
professionals are involved in the domain with accomplishment of raising $266,792 grant. The
aim of the program was to pilot a social change that could transform the entire obesity landscape
in Australia.
4.0 Evaluation of KOALA Program using Cognitive Social theory
Cognitive social theory provides an important method that can impact changing of
lifestyle amongst children. The theory is related to observing others while interacting socially
through experiences and outside media influences (Pulgarón, 2013). The theory enables a
guiding behaviour arising from observation of sequence of events. It derives from the fact that
observing a model can also reflect towards behavioral performances. It is a way of learning that
engages behavioral outcomes amongst others. In the KOALA program, aim of the professors
was to apply a behavioral pattern for motivating improvement in health and fitness of the whole
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family. The primary aim of the program was to link numerous GPs by means of South-East Area
Alliance of General Practice (Brisbane), the Heart Foundation and Diabetes Australia. All the GP
was indicated to make community intervention such as to trigger changes in behavioral patterns.
The program applied cognitive social theory by means of targeting a select few then aiming that
overall health and wellness will spread across various communities. The program aims at
initially identifying trends as pre-clinical biomarker for complications that a rises from obesity.
Then it designs programs for targeting long-term health problems that are connected with
obesity. The scope of this program is aimed at intervention methodology that can prevent long-
term health impacts from obesity. The mode of transformation aimed towards the entire society
was the preliminary goal for this project. Therefore, cognitive social framework provides a
guiding methodology for accomplishment of such goals.
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5.0 Reference Lists
De Onis, M., Blössner, M., & Borghi, E. (2010). Global prevalence and trends of overweight and
obesity among preschool children–. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 92(5),
1257-1264.
D’MELLO, G. I. S. E. L. L. E., Chia, L., Hamilton, S. D., Thomson, W. M., & Drummon, B. K.
(2011). Childhood obesity and dental caries among paediatric dental clinic
attenders. International journal of paediatric dentistry, 21(3), 217-222.
Lee, K. E., Seddon, J. M., Corley, S. W., Ellis, W. A., Johnston, S. D., de Villiers, D. L., ... &
Carrick, F. N. (2010). Genetic variation and structuring in the threatened koala
populations of Southeast Queensland. Conservation Genetics, 11(6), 2091-2103.
Pulgarón, E. R. (2013). Childhood obesity: a review of increased risk for physical and
psychological comorbidities. Clinical therapeutics, 35(1), A18-A32.
Smibert, A., Abbott, R., Macdonald, D., Hogan, A., & Leong, G. (2010). School, community,
and family working together to address childhood obesity: Perceptions from the KOALA
lifestyle intervention study. European Physical Education Review, 16(2), 155-170.
Wang, Y., & Lim, H. (2012). The global childhood obesity epidemic and the association between
socio-economic status and childhood obesity.
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