Action Plan: Reducing Childhood Obesity in Rural Queensland

This report examines the significant impact of childhood obesity on Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in rural Queensland. It highlights the increased risk of acute and chronic health problems, as well as psychological issues such as anxiety and depression. Key contributing factors include inadequate resources, poor dietary plans, financial stress, food insecurity, and limited access to health services. The report identifies key areas for change, emphasizing the need for Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) to motivate healthy lifestyles, government collaboration with Aboriginal communities, and the development of relevant programs and policies. An action plan is proposed, focusing on family-oriented approaches, reducing high-calorie food consumption, increasing low-calorie food intake, and providing adequate funding and resources to local communities. The report concludes by stressing the importance of accessible healthcare and education to combat childhood obesity and improve the quality of life for children in rural Queensland.

CHILDHOOD OBESITY
INTRODUCTION
Childhood obesity can be known as the condition in which child is overweight for his or
her age and height. It has significant impact on physical and psychological health of
children. It is one of the most serious medical conditions that can affect the quality of life
of children or adolescents. Childhood obesity can also lead to several other problems like
blood pressure, cardiovascular problem etc. Present report will lay emphasis on
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children living in rural Queensland. It will show the
impact of the health issue at the level of individual, community and the population.
Assignment will also identify the key areas where the change can be made. Report will
describe the action plan to address health issue and at least one area of change.
Impact of the health issue at the level of individual, community and the population
Childhood obesity increases the risk of various acute and chronic health related problems. It is also one of the major reasons for the psychological issues faced by children. This disease
has negative impact on the health of aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children who are living in rural Queensland. It is one of the most serious health challenges which have
profoundly affected the aboriginal children (Braun, 2017). It has been analysed that in around one in four children aged between 5-17 are affected by obesity. Obesity is the second
biggest contributor (16%) to the gap in health status between Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal people. Children in rural Strait Island are at higher risk of metabolic disorders ( Mendes &
Santos, (2018). It has been analyzed that they are facing several health related problems like breathing problems such as asthma, cardiovascular problem. The children in Strait Island
are been suffering from various orthopedic complications which includes abnormal bone growth, degenerative disease and pain. One of the major causes of this problem is that
aboriginal people have inadequate amount of resources and also they have poor dietary plans which is one of the major reason that they are more prone to obesity than the urban
children. Obesity is been considered is one of the second biggest contributor to the gap in health status between aboriginal and non aboriginal people living in Queensland. There are
various factors behind the rise of causes related to obesity in aboriginal children. It includes financial stress, insecurity related to food, urbanization and the inadequate health services.
Majority of the children who are suffering from obesity are mainly living in the non-remote areas. The impact of child hood obesity is severe in children of Strait Island like for example
these children are at high risk of facing several other psychological factors such as anxiety n depression. They are also facing the feeling of aggressiveness and these children has also
developed inferiority complex among other. Childhood obesity has reduced the quality of life of children living in rural and remote areas. There are various community factors which
have affected the dietary pattern of children living in Strait Island such as physical environment of the family, affordability of the food and various other social conditions. Aboriginal
children because of this disease can also face severe health problems like cancer, type 2 diabetes in near future. So in order to overcome these problem communities needs to come up
with promotional policies plan so that health outcome of aboriginal children living in Strait Islander can be improved.
Key areas where change can be made to reduce the impact or effect of the health issue on individuals, communities and populations
Childhood obesity is one of the major health related problem faced by the children living in Torres Strait Island in rural Queensland. Research has provided that 36.4% of aboriginal
children are obese. This is because of the reasons like inadequate health services, lack of policies and rules to promote health aspects of children, poor dietary plan etc. It has also been
analysed from the research so many of the obese children are suffering from several chronic diseases like blood pressure, cardiovascular problem and other metabolic disorders. In order
to overcome this problem it is really necessary to bring up with the changes that are laying impact on key areas. Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) must be
involved in motivating the children to follow the healthy life style and proper dietary plans. This can assist them in improvising the quality of life of children who are living in remote
areas. The program initiated by ACCHS must address obese and overweight children. It has been analyzed that in order to improve the conditions of obese children in rural Queensland
it is really necessary for government to collaborate and work with aboriginal communities. Proper funding, resources and health care services must be provided to them so that it
becomes easier for them to overcome the problem of childhood obesity (Baidal and et.al., (2016). Aboriginal leadership must be embraced at all levels to drive the development of
relevant programs and policies. Government needs to develop that program that better address the problem without any inequities. They must also provide multi-disciplinary team to
these children so that holistic care can be provided to them which can assist them in reducing the impact of child hood obesity in them. Proper education can also be provided during the
time of implementation of health related program. This will assist government in increasing the knowledge of communities related to early signs and symptoms of disease ( Rankin and
An action plan to address the health issue, targeting a minimum of one (1) key area of change
It is really necessary to make an action plan so that it childhood obesity can be prevented in aboriginal communities living in rural Queensland. It has been analysed that urgent actions
is been needed so that the risk related to severe diseases because of obesity can be reduced in Torres Strait Island. Action plan like they can implement program which target parents and
the children where training can be provided to them about eating habits and parenting activities so that healthier life can be adopted by the children. Government can make use of family
oriented approach as an strategy to reduce the effect of childhood obesity in communities. They can design a program which focuses on the needs and wants of children living in Torres
Island. The program objective must focus on reducing the consumption of high calorie food items and increase the consumption of low calorie food item in aboriginal children. This will
support them in preventing the children living in remote area to be overweight. It has also been evaluated that program also needs to focus on providing adequate funds and resources to
local communities so that they can impart adequate training to their care workers (Singer & Lumeng, (2017). This will support the communities in improvising the quality of life of
children who are living in rural Queensland. In order to explore the program,, government should also analyse the barriers’ which can be faced by aboriginals. The care must be
provided at low cost as the money to pay for food or activities many not be available to them. They also need to consider the local issues which are being faced by children living in
CONCLUSION
From the above study, it has been summarised that childhood obesity is one of the most chronic disease which has been faced by children living in aboriginal Strait Island. It has also
been analysed from the report that child hood obesity has caused severe problem to children like diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular problem, blood pressure. It has laid severe impact on
the quality of life of children. This disease has laid negative impact on their health aspect. It has been analysed that in order to overcome problem related to child hood obesity proper
health care service must be given to children of rural Queensland. They must also be provided with proper education to maintain physical diet.