Childhood obesity is now a very prominent issue in America. It affects 1 out of 3 kids today and will continue to rise. These children are not either coined as overweight or obese. According to the CDC (2015), overweight is defined as having excess body weight for a particular height from fat, muscle, bone, water, or a combination of these factors, whereas obesity is defined as having excess body fat This is a growing issue that will not only affect the children now medically, but soon affect them habitually, emotionally, and mentally. All these effects come from various external factors that can alter the lifestyles of the children and increases their chances of maintaining bad habits in the future. This topic …show more content…
The first theory would be the Social Cognitive Theory. According to the National Institutes of Health (2012), specifically the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, they describe the Social Cognitive Theory as “Individual behavior is dynamically determined and fluid, and influenced by personal factors and an environment in which an individual can observe the actions of others and learn the consequences of those behaviors”. This theory is used to observe and evaluate the external factors that influence an individual to perform a specific “bad” behavior. The behavior is reinforced with personal factors and environmental factors that contribute to the behavior. Although this theory is maintained interpersonally with the individual’s peers, but it helps with reinforcing the progress made and assists with the pursuit for the change. The other model being used is the Health Belief Model. The Health Belief Model is a model that is used to explain and predict the health behaviors based on the severity of the “threat”. This model focuses more on the attitude and beliefs of the individual and their will to change. Both these models and theories both help with trying to help an individual change their behavior. But the Social Cognitive Theory uses …show more content…
This specific article lists out the factors that may be the cause of this behavior: genetic, behavioral, environmental, and psychological and social health issues. Karnik and Kanekar developed many intervention programs that were setting oriented to help tackle the childhood obesity epidemic. Some examples that were listed to may lead the rise of obesity in the community were the speed of metabolism, the convenience of fast foods, the extra effort need to obtain physical exercise. Their best tactic to challenge childhood obesity was the school-based intervention. This specific intervention was the most successful by observing the children’s lifestyle choice when in school. By educating the students about making healthier food choices and encouraging more physical activity during the child’s time in school, the proneness of obesity should subside down to lower rates (Karnik & Kanekar, 2012). The increase of the program can and will be able to intensify the education, prevention, and treatments related to healthy diet and physical