1.Introduction of Childhood Obesity
Overweight and obesity have become a global epidemic, and they are spreading in both developed and developing countries. Children’s overweight and obesity are one of the global problems that cannot be ignored. The World Health Organization (2018) warns that “Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century and it is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. The prevalence has increased at an alarming rate” (WHO 2019). The main reason for this increase is the decline in children’s physical activity time, negative changes in nutritional habits and nutritional preferences as technology develops. Obesity can cause many chronic, metabolic, and mental health problems and it also place a huge burden on children themselves, their families, and society. Obese children and adolescents suffer from both short-term and long-term health consequences” (WHO 2019).
It gradually affects many low- and middle-income countries, especially in cities. The prevalence of obesity is growing at an alarming rate. This purpose of this report is to provide information on the risk factors of obesity and to use existing literature to assess ways to reduce the risk of obesity in children.
Health education can be taught in the family and school systems for healthy lifestyle behaviors. In this way, children and adolescents can acquire a better knowledge base based on the choices they need to make in terms of sports activities and healthy nutrition.
- Evidence from recent scholarly research publication on Childhood Obesity
● Freemark M. S. 2018, The Obesity Epidemic: A Global Perspective, Pediatric Obesity: Etiology, Pathogenesis and Treatment, pp. 3-24.https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/uts/detail.action?docID=5215419&query=+Childhood+Obesity.
● Weihrauch-Bluher, S. and Wiegand, S. 2018, Risk Factors and Implications of Childhood Obesity, Current Obesity Reports, Vol. 7, Issue 4, pp 254–259.https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s13679-018-0320-0.
● Pennsylvania State University, 2019. Small changes can go far in preventing childhood obesity. Retrieved from< http://xpressmag.com.au/>.
Lay communication concerning Childhood Obesity
The number of children with obesity in the United States over the past five decades has tripled according to information published by Media Xpress as of March 8, of 2019. According to the news article, approximately one in every five children enrolled in school is obese. These children face a number of challenges, relating to social, physical, and emotional difficulties during their development years. On numerous occasions, obese children undergo constant bullying in school. As a result, they develop low self-esteem, become isolated, and depressed. More significantly, these children also suffer from diseases, such as type two diabetes, asthma, and sleep apnea among other chronic diseases.
Moreover, there are several factors, which lead to obesity according to the information published in the article, such as poor physical activity, poor dieting, genetic makeup, and emotional state. Scientists argue that all these factors can change except the genetic makeup of an individual. Parents also play a pivotal role in aiding their children to attain good physical health. They can assist their children to make good life choices thus facilitating them to attaining good physical health. More significantly, families can also create a plan to help their youngsters achieve good dieting behavior and monitor their consumption pattern amidst proper encouragement.
There are short-term effects scholars and research scientists associated with the prevalence of obesity, which the newspaper article has also examined. If parents fail to address the occurrence of obesity in early childhood development, chances are high it can affect them in their adulthood. Therefore, it is important that parents and physician collaborate and work together to ensure that children develop a positive attitude to promote healthy dieting, physical activity, and emotional adjustment.
Critical appraisal
The article articulates well obesity as an issue affecting the US through statistical analysis thus giving it more credibility and stance on the issue. Both Gortmaker (2015, p 1936) and Grossman (2015, p 2420) argue that the prevalence of obesity in the US over the past few decades has soared up. The scholars have identified key factors, which contribute to obesity in children in addition to supporting them with secondary sources and scholars. The author of the newspaper article nevertheless has touched on the key details contributing to obesity in children. However, it is contrary to the research papers, which has given much thought on predisposing factors contributing to obesity in children in the US.
The newspaper article has only examined small changes that can be beneficial in reducing cases and incidents of obesity in children. Nonetheless, it is different in the two research papers, which examine the prevalence of obesity in children across the US. Gortmaker (2017, p 2420) propose an intensive behavioral adjustment to aid alter and reduce cases of obesity in children. On the other hand, the newspaper only examines the role parents play to aid reduce cases of obesity in children in the US which are not 100 percent proven as successful. Parents can only use the methods proposed in the article to prevent excessive weight gain in children. There are no methods proposed for the management of obesity after its onset.
Above all the information presented in the newspaper article was easy to read and understand. The public can easily understand the information presented in the newspaper article. There were no technical languages used in the article making it straightforward and easy to understand unlike in two research articles used for the appraisal. In addition to that, the article was informative on top of being interesting to read on top of presenting relevant and important information in a logical manner.
Gortmaker, S.L., Wang, Y.C., Long, M.W., Giles, C.M., Ward, Z.J., Barrett, J.L., Kenney, E.L., Sonneville, K.R., Afzal, A.S., Resch, S.C. and Cradock, A.L., 2015. Three interventions that reduce childhood obesity are projected to save more than they cost to implement. Health Affairs, 34(11), pp.1932-1939.
Grossman, D.C., Bibbins-Domingo, K., Curry, S.J., Barry, M.J., Davidson, K.W., Doubeni, C.A., Epling, J.W., Kemper, A.R., Krist, A.H., Kurth, A.E. and Landefeld, C.S., 2017. Screening for obesity in children and adolescents: US Preventive Services Task Force recommendation statement. Jama, 317(23), pp.2417-2426.
Pennsylvania State University, 2019. Small changes can go far in preventing childhood obesity. Retrieved from https://medicalxpress.com/news/2019-03-small-childhood-obesity.html
- Stakeholder map
- Survey data analysis
We have created an online survey to collect ideas from the public. So far, there have been 37 responses, of which 42.8% and 54.2% are male and female. These feedbacks are mainly composed of two groups, they are 18-21 and 22-25 years old. The public’s access to health information varies, with 48.9% from social media, 20.2% from TV, 22.5% from magazines, and the rest from other sites.
According to the survey, the health problem of childhood obesity has become a common social phenomenon. In addition, 82% of people believe that childhood obesity has certain potential to cause other physical or psychological diseases. Moreover, 34% people believe that childhood obesity has something to do with parental control. Parents, as their legal guardians, are responsible for children’s diet and health.
Considering the ethics when we interact with community, we designed our survey to be anonymous, taking into account ethics and asking only the age and gender of the participants. People under the age of 18 were excluded from the investigation to avoid compromising their privacy or violating parental consent to participate. In addition, there are some keywords for the topic at the beginning of survey, it’s helpful for public to understand this topic, in order to complete the survey.
As concluded, this survey results show that childhood obesity is mainly caused by excessive intake of high-calorie foods and may also be accompanied by genetics. Childhood Obesity is a serious health issue in society. However, there are many ways to solve this problem effectively, such as, doing more aerobic exercise and diet. Thus, Childhood obesity needs to be addressed as a health issue.
- A brief statement of relevant elements of codes of ethics or practice (PRIA, MEAA, etc.)
The ethical code of MEAA was abided by our journalist output, in accordance with honestly report the truth to the public. Maintain a neutral, independent and fair attitude. In our media arts and production, we will adhere the Australian Television Writers’ Code of Conduct. First of all, we must follow the contract. Our writers will need a professional level and they will also improve their consciousness all the time. Besides, the sense of community not only be strong, but also the communication and mutual respect between team members are necessary, so that to set a precedent for good works. Finally, the story will be original. The ethic code of social media which conducted by the communications council is to initiate take responsibility for the post and consider whether it will impact others especially we are public organization. respect every customer which we interact with and reflect on any comments it engaged.
- Include a brief communication strategy (dot points)
Our key message to our target audience:
● Data analysis on the causes of obesity
● The problem caused by obesity
● How to reduce obesity symptoms
How we plan to get it across:
We use traditional survey methods and published the result on the target audiences’ most commonly used social platforms
How do the elements fit together?
We have:
● Graphics data
● Social media formal account-interact with audience
● A video – about people experience in visual
● Google survey-target audience multiple choice
Sample Solution
