KID'S HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Kid's healthy lifestyle: Literature Review

Kid's healthy lifestyle: Literature Review

Definition

Kid's health encompasses the physical, mental, emotional, and social well-being of children from infancy through adolescence.

Research Question

Do poor dietary habits have a negative impact on the children health? What are the main issues in kid's healthy lifestyle?

Description

The subject of eating healthy food is a challenge - and sometimes political - area. There are number of competing views and, since it has such a high political profile at present, each assertion from 'experts' is subjected to more severe media scrutiny than would have been the case a generation ago. A quick search on the Internet reveals hundreds of websites offering advice on healthy eating - some of it contradictory - and the results of research evidence are not always easy to understand. (Arcia, 2008, 1271).

Well-baby and well-child check-ups assess the child physically, behaviorally, developmentally, and emotionally and are important in spotting developmental delays or behavioral abnormalities early. Well-child check-ups typically include reviewing medical history, measuring height, weight, blood pressure, and temperature, vision, hearing, reflex screening, a developmental/behavioral assessment, physical examination, immunizations, guidance about developmental milestones, nutrition, injury prevention, and referrals as needed to a pediatric dentist or other pediatric specialists. In 2004, it was estimated from interviews with parents that 87% of children in the United States with health insurance had seen a physician for a well-child check up within the past year, while only 66% of children without health insurance had been seen.

Obesity

Obesity in the United States and other countries are a valuable and rising general fitness crisis. Obesity is growing in United States with an increasing rate. Obesity amongst adults, young people, and children is gradually more encountered in medical settings, and a responsiveness of present etiological models, evaluation strategies, and involvement methodologies is essential for the optimal organization of this significant health problem. Between 5 to 25 children per hundred are obese in USA. It comprises 15% of the children population. Obesity is an increase in excess body fats which leads to the growth of the body weight. Childhood obesity is a weight-for-height in excess of 120 percent. It is a chronic disorder which has multiple causes (Sobo, 2003, 99).

Definition of Obesity

Obesity can be defined as, “an excessive accumulation of fat in the body.” (Colleen & Shanley, 2006, 23-34)

However, in reality it is a disease that involves much more than that. Obesity can lead to serious health problems like breathing difficulties, choking, sleep disorders, drowsiness, orthopedic problems, skin disorders, excessive sweating, swelling of the feet and ankles, menstrual disorders in women and increased risk of heart disease, diabetes, asthma, cancer and gallbladder disease, all these are problems associated with excess weight. Throughout the world, this problem has increased and more children are at risk of developing further problems because of their obesity.

When is a Child Considered Obese?

A child is considered obese when their weight exceeds 20% of their ideal weight. Obesity in children begins between six months and seven years of the percentage of those who remain obese ...