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This week’s clinical was another great experience. I realized that the parents came to the clinic for any reason, such as cough, cold, school paper, vaccination, etc. I had an exceptional family this week. The mother showed off with three kids, but only one needed to see the doctor. While I welcomed them to the clinical, I realized how overweight the whole family was, even the mother. This 8-year-old male patient weighed 198 lbs. with a BMI of 0f 30. BP 113/73, P110 respiration 25, temperature 97.6 F. Based on his history, he was born overweight. However, even with education for diet and nutrition, he never lost weight. They are not compliant because they do not follow up with the dietitian’s appointment. Parents who do not eat healthy foods or get enough physical activity may be encouraging their children to repeat their patterns. While most parents have their children’s best interest at heart, they may fail to keep junk food and sugary drinks out of the home. The prevention of overweight and obesity is critically important during the school-age years. According to Edelman & Kudzma, 2018, evidence shows that adult obesity begins in infancy or childhood and results from genetic and environmental factors. Children with parents who are also overweight may have an increased risk of becoming obese due to genetics or unhealthy learned behaviors. Quality nutrition and physical activity are essential for optimal growth, development, and well-being. Thus, children who have obesity are more likely to develop high blood pressure and high cholesterol, increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, asthma, and sleep apnea (Edelman & Kudzma, 2018). Children who eat what their parents eat are more likely to eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables a day if their parents do. However, the high concentration of fast-food restaurants and lack of time for parents to cook at home may cause a deficit of healthy food. Overweight and obese children face peer ridicule and later discrimination later in life. Indeed, children with obesity who experience weight bias have severely impaired life (Lydecker, & Grilo, 2018).
There are many factors and predictors for obesity. First, obesity results from an imbalance of hormones, peptides, proteins. Second, dietary patterns of restricting and bingeing, especially fats and sweets. Third, less physical activity decreases energy consumption, and dietary intake remains the same. Fourth, food may be used to regulate emotions or cope with stress (McCance Burns et al., 2017). The clinician should identify, assess, refer, and follow up with children and adolescents at risk for health problems associated with overweight or obesity. Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents may also influence their ability to remain attentive and in class. School nurses can provide cost-effective, sustainable school-based overweight and obesity interventions that address the complex physical, social, and health education needs of children and adolescents who are overweight or obese (Lydecker, & Grilo, 2018). Obesity can have a significant impact on a child’s physical and emotional health, and children who are overweight have a greater tendency to remain obese throughout adulthood.
References
Edelman,C. L., & Kudzma, E. C. (2018). Health Promotion Throughout the Lifespan (9th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier
Lydecker, J. A., O, B. E., & Grilo, C. M. (2018). Parents have both implicit and explicit biases against children with obesity. Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 41(6), 784–791. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10865-018-9929-4 (Links to an external site.)
McCance Burns, C. E., Dunn, M. A., Brady, A. M., Starr, B. N., Blosser, G. C., & Garzon, L. D. (2017). Pediatric Primary Care. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
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