Childhood Obesity Annotated Essay, Essays (university) of Health sciences

Download Childhood Obesity Annotated Essay and more Essays (university) Health sciences in PDF only on Docsity! Page 1 QUESTION: Discuss the factors that contribute to childhood obesity in Australia. You should use at least 5 academic sources to support your response. The emergence of childhood obesity is a serious medical issue which has been widely documented as a global epidemic that has had a significant impact on the health of children and on healthcare systems internationally. This condition refers to children and adolescents who, according to the body mass index (BMI) calculation, exceed the average weight in proportion to age and height. Consequently, chronic physical health comorbidities, as well as psychological problems, can result (Mayo Clinic 2017). Research indicates that approximately a quarter of the children in Australia are categorised as overweight or obese (McHugh 2016). As a result of increasing concern, extensive research has been conducted in this area, and the contributing causes have been identified as genetic and environmental factors such as psychosocial, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors. All these causes include influences by external social factors which further intensify the impacts. This essay will examine the abovementioned factors and compare various views on the issue. Genes play a role in body weight regulation, but research suggests that the extent of this role as a contributing factor to childhood obesity is comparably limited in light of the numerous physiological processes which sustain the balance between the consumption and outflow of energy. Ebbeling, Pawlak and Ludwig (2002) point out that genetic factors may strongly impact on predisposition to obesity, but the influence of single gene defects is minimal. They propose that perinatal factors (usually beginning after the 20th week of gestation and ending up to 4 weeks after birth) may be stronger contributors to the issue. For example, prenatal over-nutrition transmission due to maternal obesity may permanently stimulate appetite and metabolic alteration. Moreover, they observed that bottle feeding may also be a contributor as it can correlate with physiological changes or parental control over psychological elements which influence nutrition intake later in childhood. These views are supported by Han, Lawlar and Kimm (2010) who compiled a table that summarises similar genetic determinants and also discuss the effect of leptin signalling. They describe leptin signalling as ‘… the key biological pathway controlling energy balance’ (p. 1738) which can be affected by function-changing mutations that are associated with infant obesity. However, further research is required to strongly substantiate these theories. Sahoo et al. (2015) profess that more recent research indicates that genetic factors are significant determinants of the risk of childhood obesity. These determinants consist of a conglomeration of obesogenic drivers such as dietary over- consumption, lack of exercise, and increased sedentary activities that are regulated by gender, age, familial traits, parenting approaches, family lifestyles and school and demographic environmental The following are general comments about the structure and content of an academic essay written for university – they are not prescriptive and are intended as an educational guide only. Comment [SO1]: It is often prudent to commence an introduction with some background or contextual information to direct the reader towards the focus of your essay. Comment [SO2]: After setting the context with statements of a more general nature, the writer brings the topic into a local perspective, briefly touching on the rationale for the topic of the essay, and making a direct reference to the initial task. Comment [SO3]: Here, the major ideas that will be explored in the essay are introduced. Comment [SO4]: This sentence flags to the reader what they can expect from the remainder of the essay. Comment [SO5]: A clear topic sentence is essential to good paragraph writing. It indicates to the reader the content of the subsequent sentences. For information on writing a well- developed paragraph visit: http://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/academic-writing/paragraph- level-writing Comment [SO6]: The author is critically evaluating this information. Developing critical thinking skills, and displaying evidence of this within an assignment, is a crucial part of academic writing. This is further explained at: https://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/academic-writing/critical- thinking-skills Page 2 factors. In other words, as Bray (2004, cited in Swinburn et al. 2011, p. 810) expresses, ‘the genetic background loads the gun, but the environment pulls the trigger.’ Alternative research suggests that psychosocial, cultural and socioeconomic determinants tend to carry stronger indications as contributors to childhood obesity. Russell et al. (2016) report a disparity of 6% in cases of overweight and obesity between socioeconomically underprivileged non- indigenous and indigenous Australian children (above 25%), and those from more privileged backgrounds (nineteen percent). Findings by Thurber, Boxall and Partel (2014) observe that between 2012 and 2013 approximately 33% of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children between the ages of 2 and 14 were classified as overweight or obese. This percentage increased to approximately 66% after the children reached the age of 15. The rationale for the elevated risk of children from low socioeconomic backgrounds becoming obese is complex. Kalra et al. (2012) identify parenting and initial developmental lifestyles, familial relationships and familial culinary habits as the significant factors. Russell et al. (2016) believe that family environment may be the key contributor amongst others including diet, parental feeding behaviour, early infant feeding approaches (such as the choice of breastfeeding versus that of formula feeding and the duration before the introduction of solids), media parenting practices, and the extent of children’s sedentary behaviour. However, inconclusive results from research denote the need for extended investigation of the socioeconomic determinants (Aftosmes-Tobio et al. 2016; Pulgarón 2013; Russell et al. 2016). Behavioural patterns and daily occurrences are influenced by the familial and socio-emotional frameworks (Aftosmes-Tobio et al. 2016). Obese children may live in a familial environment which renders them more susceptible to psychosocial and cultural stressors and consequent health issues such as obesity (Gundersen et al. 2011). Pulgarón (2013) highlights the point that although it has not been fully substantiated, multiple studies have purported a relationship between obesity and ADHD, sleep deprivation, and elevated symptoms associated with internalisation and externalisation. The significant psychosocial factors of childhood obesity outlined by Nieman and LeBlanc (2012, p. 618) are ‘stressors that trigger emotional eating: being bullied, suffering neglect and physical/mental maltreatment, or a living situation where consistency (for example, living in foster care with frequent placement changes, or in circumstances of divorced parents), limit-setting and supervision are lacking’. They propose that these triggers lead to excessive eating, characterised by a particular attraction to ‘comfort food’. Moreover, stress can also lead to sleep deprivation and as a result, a disinclination towards involvement in physical activities. Karla et al. (2012)and Rahman and Harding (2013) reinforce this viewpoint, commenting that obese children tend to prematurely have large portions of food, elevated fat and sugar ingestion, lower fruit and vegetable intake and too much Comment [AS7]: Whenever a direct quote is used the page number of the source must be referenced. Comment [SO8]: The writer rarely uses direct quotations in this essay. Rather, they tend to summarise or paraphrase the words of others. This skill is essential in academic writing. To find out more about paraphrasing, go to: http://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/academic-writing/paraphrasing Comment [SO9]: Note the wide variety of reporting verbs that the writer employs. This avoids repetitiveness, and also assists in retaining the interest of the reader or assessor. For further information about reporting verbs go to: https://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/grammar/reporting-verbs Comment [SO10]: See the above point. Comment [SO11]: The inclusion of transition signals such as this links ideas, rendering your points easier to follow. For more information on transition signals, see: https://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/grammar/transition-signals Page 5 References Aftosmes-Tobio, A., Ganter, C., Gicevic, S., Newlan, S., Simon, C.L., Davison, K.K., & Manganello, J.A. 2016, ‘A systematic review of media parenting in the context of childhood obesity research’, BioMed Central Public Health, vol. 16, no. 320, pp. 1-9. Better Health Victoria 2014, Obesity, Better Health Channel, Melbourne, viewed 9 February 2017, <https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/obesity>. Boyland, E.J. & Halford, J.C.G. 2013, ‘Television advertising and branding: effects on eating behaviour and food preferences in children’, Appetite, vol. 62, pp. 236-41. Ebbeling, C.B., Pawlak, D.B. & Ludwig, D.S. 2002, ‘Childhood obesity: public–health crisis, common sense cure’, The Lancet, vol. 360, no. 9331, pp. 473-82. Gundersen, C., Garasky, S., & Lohman, B. 2011, ‘Linking psychosocial stressors and childhood obesity’, Obesity Reviews, vol. 12, viewed 17 February 2017, <http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2010.00813.x/epdf>. Han, J.C., Lawlar, D.A. & Kimm, S.Y.S. 2010, ‘Childhood obesity’, The Lancet, vol. 375, pp. 1737-48. Kalra, G., De Sousa, A., Sushma, S., & Shah, N. 2012, ‘Psychological issues in paediatric obesity’, Industrial Psychiatry Journal, vol. 21, no. 1, pp. 11-17. Mayo Clinic 2017, Childhood Obesity, viewed 9 February 2017, <http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/home/ovc-20268886>. McHugh, B. 2016, ‘The childhood obesity epidemic’, Journal of the Australian Traditional Medicine Society, vol. 22, no. 2, pp. 94-7. Nieman, P. & LeBlanc, C.M.A., Canadian Paediatric Society, Healthy Active Living & Sports Medicine Committee 2012, ‘Psychosocial aspects of child and adolescent obesity’, Pulsus: Paediatric Child Health, vol. 17, no. 3, pp. 205-6. Pulgarón, E.R. 2013, ‘Childhood obesity: a review of increased risk for physical and psychological co- morbidities’, Clinical Therapeutics, vol. 35, no. 1, pp. A18-A32. Rahman, A. & Harding, A. 2013, ‘Prevalence of overweight and obesity epidemic in Australia: some causes and consequences’, JP Journal of Biostatistics, vol. 10, no.1, pp. 31-48. Comment [#21]: Note that all of the references here adhere to Harvard-UTS referencing conventions. For information about referencing correctly, please see: http://www.uts.edu.au/current- students/support/helps/self-help- resources/referencing-and-plagiarism To directly access referencing guides go to: http://www.lib.uts.edu.au/help/ referencing Page 6 Retail and Personal Services Training Council 2015, Environmental scan 2015: fast food, quick and limited service restaurants, RAPS, Balcatta, WA, viewed 17 February 2017, <http://rapstc.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/Fast-Food-Environmental-Scan- 2015.pdf>. Russell, C.G., Taki, S., Laws, R., Azadi, L., Campbell, K.J., Elliott, R., Lynch, J., Ball, K., Taylor, R. & Denney-Wilson, E. 2016, ‘Effects of parent and child behaviours on overweight and obesity in infants and young children from disadvantaged backgrounds: systemic review with narrative synthesis’, BioMed Central Public Health, vol. 16, no. 161, pp. 1-13. Sahoo, K., Sahoo, B., Choudhury, A.K., Sofi, N.Y., Kumar, R. & Bhadoria, A. S. 2015, ‘Childhood obesity: causes and consequences’, Family Practice, vol. 4, no.2, pp. 187-92. Swinburn, B.A., Sacks, G., Hall, K.D., McPherson, K., Finegood, D.T., Moodie, M.L. & Gortmaker, S. 2011, ‘The global obesity pandemic: shaped by global drivers and local environments’, The Lancet, vol. 378, pp. 80-4-14. The Australian Bureau of Statistics 2015, Australian health survey: nutrition - state and territory results, 2011-12, Canberra, viewed 9 February 2017, <http://www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/4364.0.55.009?OpenDocument>. Thurber, K., Boxall, A. & Partel, K. 2014, Overweight and obesity among Indigenous children: individual and social determinants, Deeble Institute & Australian Healthcare and Hospital Association (AHHA), viewed 10 February 2017, <https://ahha.asn.au/system/files/docs/ publications/deeble_issue_brief_no_3_overweight_and_obesity_among_indigenous _children.pdf>. NOTE: This entire paper has been submitted to Turnitin and other anti-plagiarism software. 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