Article Example: Obesity in Early Care

The article provides information of on the relationship between early care and obesity among children both at school and at home. It discusses the increased rate of obesity among children in both developed and developing nations including the causes, consequences and various recommendations to parents and early care providers. According to the article, the childhood obesity has negative psychological and physical effects on children. In some cases, the obesity may translate into their adulthood and increase the chances of developing related non-communicable diseases such as diabetes.

Issues and Methods

The article reveals that various studies were conducted to determine how early influences obesity in children care. Similar studies conducted by researchers were analysed to determine the relationship between early care and obesity among children. Critical analysis of various research findings was also conducted to understand the causes and consequences of obesity among children, and recommendations provided on the best practices.

Causes of Obesity during Early Care

According to the article, research findings indicate that genetics is one of the most common factors that cause obesity among children although it is complemented by both behavioral and environmental factors. Obesity among children may also be caused by unhealthy diet provided by caregivers. Further research consistently concluded that early care provides an opportunity for parents to be educated about healthy eating habits of children that is critical to their growth. Junk food should be limited and more age appropriate foods provided to children with small qualities throughout the day. The children should also be provided with opportunities to play, and the television should be avoided at all costs. Combined with other early care practices, they should get enough sleep at home to ensure that they develop healthy weights. The structure of mealtime for children is critical in determining the chances of developing obesity.

Some of the studies indicated that poor school nutrition during childhood care increases the chances of children developing obesity. Fast foods usually have low nutritional value and high-calorie content. The diet and level of activity are the main determinants of weight in children. Today, inactivity among children has become a prevalent problem in the society. They are allowed to watch television and play video games over long hours increasing the period of inactivity.

Consequences of Obesity in Early Care

Researchers agree that obesity among children can result in serious consequences that may be carried forth into adulthood. Obese children at school tend to have lower self-esteem compared to their peers because they are dissatisfied with their bodies. As such, children may develop psychological, emotional problems which persist into their adolescence stage. Medically, obesity in children has been linked to liver disease, type 2 diabetes, insulin resistance, glucose intolerance and orthopaedic problems. Socially, obese children tend to suffer from stigmatization because of their weight resulting in a poor academic performance at school.

Results

The research findings indicated that early care was the major contributor to obesity among children. The type of care given with specific regard to diet and physical activities determined the chances of a child developing diabetes. Positive health diets and enough physical activity reduced the chances of developing diabetes while negative practices significantly increase the chances.

Discussion and Recommendations

Early care for children at school can foster healthy eating habits through the provision of nutritious meals and minimize junk foods while encouraging physical activities. According to the article, to prevent chances of a child developing obesity, it is recommended to serve beverages that are healthy and age appropriate. Replacing sweetened beverages with safe drinking water is critical. The fruit juice served to children should be 100% pure with no additional sweeteners served only during meal times.

Early caregivers both at home and school, should provide children with a variety of foods and a well-balanced diet to reduce the chances of developing diabetes. Variety of coloured vegetables should be offered to children during meal times. Conversely, instead of serving juice, whole fruits should be provided. It is essential for early care providers at home and school should ensure that entire grains are served to children whenever they take bread and cereals. Children require being fed unsaturated fats like sunflower oil instead of saturated fats contained in snacks and lean proteins.

Families should be educated on healthy early care which may include predetermined guidelines and menus at home. Finally, physical activities should be encouraged as opposed unhealthy habits such as watching television and playing videos for long hours. Early caregivers should also encourage children to develop healthy sleeping habits.

Conclusion

The article concludes that early childcare highly contributes to the issue of obesity among children. It mainly focuses on healthy eating habits and the duration of physical activities. It analyses the various causes of obesity in children about early care and the resulting consequences. Furthermore, it mentions the practices critical in the prevention of obesity among children consequently resulting in healthy adults.

Reference

Benjamin Neelon, S. E., Ostbye, T., Hales, D., Vaughn, A., & Ward, D. S. (2016). Preventing childhood obesity in early care and education settings: Lessons from two intervention studies. Child: care, health and development, 42(3), 351-358.