Include the following:
• An explanation of the health issues and risks that are relevant to the child you were assigned.
• Describe additional information you would need in order to further assess his or her weight-related health.
• Identify and describe any risks and consider what further information you would need to gain a full understanding of the child’s health. Think about how you could gather this information in a sensitive fashion.
• Taking into account the parents’ and caregivers’ potential sensitivities, list at least three specific questions you would ask about the child to gather more information.
• Provide at least two strategies you could employ to encourage the parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.
Case Assigned
8 year old overweight male foster child with normal weight foster parents and overweight biological parents
Sample Solution
The child I was assigned is a 5 year old male who is underweight according to the body mass index (BMI) chart. This indicates that he may be at risk for health issues, such as poor growth and development, inadequate nutrition, and increased susceptibility to infections. In order to assess his weight-related health further, I would need additional information about his diet, activity levels, family history of weight-related illnesses or disorders (i.e., diabetes), height and weight measurements over time, and any other medical conditions that could be impacting his growth and development.
Sample Solution
The child I was assigned is a 5 year old male who is underweight according to the body mass index (BMI) chart. This indicates that he may be at risk for health issues, such as poor growth and development, inadequate nutrition, and increased susceptibility to infections. In order to assess his weight-related health further, I would need additional information about his diet, activity levels, family history of weight-related illnesses or disorders (i.e., diabetes), height and weight measurements over time, and any other medical conditions that could be impacting his growth and development.