Introduction
When fat accumulates abnormally or in excess, it may negatively affect health, a condition known as overweight or obesity (Smith et al., 2020). It is usual practice to utilize the body mass index (BMI), a straightforward measure of weight relative to height, to categorize persons as overweight or obese (Weihrauch-Blüher et al., 2019). Body mass index (kg/m2) is the ratio of a person’s weight in kilograms to the square of his height in meters. When there is an unhealthy amount of fat stored in the body, it is considered overweight or obese. If your BMI is more than 25, you are categorized as overweight, and if it is more than 30, you are obese (Smith et al., 2020). The problem has reached epidemic proportions; in 2017, the worldwide burden of illness reported that over 4 million people died due to obesity (Smith et al., 2020).In developing nations, the prevalence of overweight and obese children has increased at a pace that is more than 30% greater than in industrialized countries (Weihrauch-Blüher et al., 2019).
Parents and children are the intended audience for this matter. Obesity is common in children whose families do not model good eating habits and regular physical exercise (Smith et al., 2020). As the primary providers of genetic material and environmental cues, parents influence their children’s eating habits (Littleton et al., 2020). They provide an example for children to follow when it comes to what is considered healthy and what is considered unhealthy by providing certain foods more readily accessible than others and by modeling appropriate eating habits themselves (Littleton et al., 2020). Preventing childhood obesity may be achieved by parents and caregivers by providing nutritious meals and snacks, regular physical exercise, and nutrition education.
Health Behaviors Contributing to At-Risk Behavior
Food choices include the selection of high-fat and sugary foods over healthier alternatives. Dietary patterns considered “prudent” include whole grains, vegetables, and fruits, which prevent weight gain (Nga et al., 2019). On the other hand, “Western-style” dietary patterns that consist of higher consumption of red meat or processed meat, sugared beverages, sweets, refined carbs, or potatoes have been associated with obesity (Nga et al., 2019). The eating habits of parents who are overweight may significantly impact whether a kid can maintain a healthy weight. Some obese parents may have less apprehension about their children also becoming obese compared to parents who have an average weight. Parents behavior and traits greatly influence the child learning environment (Smith et al., 2020). This may also be associated with the genetic factor, which is hereditary. Genetics may contribute to the development of extreme childhood obesity via specific uncommon gene abnormalities (Smith et al., 2020). Certain genetic factors likely contribute to increased susceptibility to obesity in particular individuals.
Australian youngsters have lower levels of physical activity compared to previous generations. It occurs when surplus calories are accumulated in the body as adipose tissue. If you ingest excessive quantities of energy, namely derived from meals that are heavy in fat and sugar, and fail to expend all of this energy via physical exercise, a significant portion of the surplus energy will be stored in the body as adipose tissue (Nga et al., 2019). In addition, the absence of physical exercise and obesity are linked to the onset of several chronic illnesses, including diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and even cancer. Most Children engage in sedentary activities for a significant amount of time, with an average of around 2½ hours spent watching television daily, using computers, and playing electronic games (Smith et al., 2020). It seems that these recreational activities are substituting for more physically demanding ones.
There are several advantages linked to addressing the risk factors of juvenile obesity. Obesity heightens the susceptibility of both children and adults to several illnesses and health complications, including heart disease, Type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, respiratory issues, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and liver and gallbladder disease (Smith et al., 2020). Addressing this issue will also improve the overall well-being of the children as it reduces the risk of cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, cancer, and mental health, among other health benefits (Nga et al., 2019). In addition, obesity is now acknowledged to be linked to a variety of health issues. Some of these primarily affect the quality of life, such as difficulty breathing during physical activity, problems with muscles, bones, and skin, and infertility (Nga et al., 2019).
Proposed Evidence-Based Intervention
The proposed evidence-based intervention for child obesity is the Health Education Strategy. A practical approach to addressing child obesity in health education should include curriculum-integrated instruction on nutritious eating and physical activity, creating a conducive atmosphere that encourages healthy food selection and frequent exercise, and integrating interventions for behavioral adjustment (Wang et al., 2022). Children spend most of their time in school, having more time with teachers than their guardians. Both parents and children should be educated on the importance of addressing the issues that result from obesity and other health issues (Nga et al., 2019). They need to be educated about the lifestyle and nutrition that can help thwart obesity in both children and parents—consuming a low-calorie diet that incorporates an ample amount of fruits and vegetables— restricting the consumption of red meats, processed meals (such as chips, cookies, and sugary cereals), and sugar-sweetened drinks like soda and juice (Nga et al., 2019). hey are reducing the frequency of dining out and gradually increasing physical exertion.
The health belief model is a popular framework for influencing participants’ actions in public health’s preventative initiatives. With its fast-rising prevalence, obesity is a significant public health concern (Rashid et al., 2022). Despite much work, the number of effective treatments still needs to grow. n individual’s view of obesity as a health concern is crucial in preventing the development of obesity among people of average weight in the future, according to the Health Belief model, which states that the amount of motivation is provided by the combined levels of vulnerability and severity (Wang et al., 2022). perceived vulnerability and severity of health issues associated with obesity, for instance, may be significant predictors if the behavior is linked to weight control (Wang et al., 2022). erceived obstacles to healthy food and exercise and the perceived advantages of weight reduction might influence this. According to the Health Belief Model (HBM), messages may effectively influence behavior change by addressing perceived obstacles, benefits, self-efficacy, and danger (Rashid et al., 2022).
Several resources can be used for this intervention. The first vital resource to educate parents and children about child obesity is the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. His website provides essential information about obesity, including statistics about the number of complications related to child obesity, deaths, and regions or populations that are greatly affected. His resource may be integrated with the Non-Communicable Disease Risk Factor Collaboration, providing important information about the issue. t may also involve non-government bodies such as the World Health Organization, which offer support and information to the affected individuals. Lastly, there is a need to have a gym or a ground where children will be motivated to engage in physical activity to help them reduce/burn unwanted calories (Weihrauch-Blüher et al., 2019). These resources are realistic as they are places with official statistics about obesity, and they suggest evidence-based strategies for reducing child obesity.
Project Management
The Health Education Strategy/interventions is an important project that all different stakeholders, including health care providers, need to promote. The project will follow several steps before and after its implementation. His first activity involves conducting research and understanding obesity and the many factors that contribute to child obesity. t includes analyzing information related to diet intake, lifestyle, and physical activity of the affected individuals and their environment. After evaluating the situation, a health curriculum will be needed to align with the societal goals in addressing the issue. t would also require integrating into the curriculum and thus making it reach all children from different regions.
This project also requires human or financial resources to run effectively. The program implementation will rely on both government and non-government organizations for financial aid. t will also benefit from charity work and well-wishers. Involving the community in fundraising events immediately promotes a sense of shared accountability and ownership for combating childhood obesity. In addition, some of the resources will be available freely from different websites. Lastly, the intervention may partner with some health clinics or health organizations to improve its network and effectiveness. His will allow engagement with the community and health facilities in the affected community. After evaluating all factors and receiving the required resources, the program is ready for implementation, although, for continued growth, the program will be under continuous monitoring and evaluation (Weihrauch-Blüher et al., 2019). his will require several teams, including the monitoring and feedback team, to work closely to communicate the changes and modifications to enhance the program.
Professional Development and Training
Different individuals who will help with the evaluation and implementation of the intervention need to have competence in their areas. Training programs will also be provided to facilitate practical implementation. An adept workforce is the foundation of every successful business or organization. Supporting it could boost productivity, efficiency, and the capacity to attract and retain skilled employees. However, to ensure that staff continues to perform at a high level, firms must allocate resources toward developing and executing a comprehensive training program. Examine the available training materials. The prosperity of every organization depends on its capacity to design and maintain a rational budget. If you suggest an unnecessarily high budget, your training program will likely not be implemented since many organizations cannot pay such expenses. They indicated that the training program should be motivated by a persuasive business rationale, aligned with the organization’s long-term plan, and show a measurable return on investment. By doing so, others can readily comprehend and endorse your vision by acknowledging its enduring influence on the company’s financial performance.
References
Littleton, S. H., Berkowitz, R. I., & Grant, S. F. A. (2020). Genetic Determinants of Childhood Obesity. olecular diagnosis & therapy, 24(6), 653–663. ttps://doi.org/10.1007/s40291-020-00496-1
Nga, V. T., Dung, V. N. T., Chu, D. T., Tien, N. L. B., Van Thanh, V., Ngoc, V. T. N., Hoan, L. N., Phuong, N. T., Pham, V. H., Tao, Y., Linh, N. P., Show, P. L., & Do, D. L. (2019). School education and childhood obesity: A systemic review. iabetes & metabolic syndrome, 13(4), 2495–2501. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.dsx.2019.07.014
Rashid, A. F., Wafa, S. W., Abd Talib, R., & Abu Bakar, N. M. (2022). An interactive Malaysian Childhood Healthy Lifestyle (i-MaCHeL) intervention programme to change weight-related behaviour in preschool child-parent dyads: Study protocol of a cluster randomised controlled trial. PloS one, 17(10), e0276843. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0276843
Smith, J. D., Fu, E., & Kobayashi, M. A. (2020). Prevention and Management of Childhood Obesity and Its Psychological and Health Comorbidities. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology, 16, 351–378. https://doi.org/10.1146/annurev-clinpsy-100219-060201
Wang, X., Liu, J., Gao, D., Li, Y., Ma, Q., Chen, L., Chen, M., Ma, T., Ma, Y., Zhang, Y., Yang, J., Dong, Y., Song, Y., & Ma, J. (2022). Effectiveness of national multicentric school-based health lifestyles intervention among Chinese children and adolescents on knowledge, belief, and practice toward obesity at individual, family, and school levels. rontiers in pediatrics, 10, 917376. ttps://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2022.917376
Weihrauch-Blüher, S., Schwarz, P., & Klusmann, J. H. (2019). Childhood obesity: increased risk for cardiometabolic disease and cancer in adulthood. etabolism: Clinical and experimental, 92, 147–152. ttps://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2018.12.001
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