Addressing the root cause of obesity an issue which faces Americans today, along with its social and health ramifications. In a recent review it was found that “approximately 4% of US children continue to be categorized as extremely obese, outnumbering the number of children diagnosed with cancer, cystic fibrosis, HIV, and juvenile diabetes combined.” (Perryman & Sidoti 2015) It’s possible that the breakdown of the family can be directly attributed to corpulence in our country and that the cure for obesity is no more complicated than a family working together as a unit to live a healthy lifestyle. However, we have reached a point in our country where we may need some help and direction. Where do we begin? Who is to blame for this situation?
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However, a concern involved with this may be how easily accessible physical activities are to the family environment. “The 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted among students in grades 9–12 in both public and private schools in the United States reports that 23% of students did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on at least one day over a seven-day period before the survey (NYRBS 2009).” (Fan & Jin 2007) Part of this may be related to where they live. If ready entree to parks or recreation is not available, or if the neighborhood is dangerous, it is likely that their level of activity will be decreased. While some blame can be credited to the growing sedentary lifestyle of easy media access, studies show that it might have more to do with accessibility to facilities than languor. Choosing to live in safe neighborhoods with more outlets for physical activities may encourage a more dynamic family …show more content…
Several articles referred to parents as the “agents of change”. (Danford, Schultz, Marvicsin 2015)(West, Sanders, Cleghorn, Davies 2010) With regards to that change, family-based intervention methods seem to be most effective. Therapy gives the impression that it is most useful when the entire family is involved and working together to affect correction. The strength lies in working as a unit. It is always important to be responsible for one’s own actions, however if discussing children, it may be key to recognize the role the parents may have taken in teaching, or not teaching good behaviors. If all of the accountability of the obesity is laid at the child’s door, it will be a hindrance, not a help. Sometimes a family doesn’t know what to do, or how to modify their habits cohesively as a group. This is when third party treatments can be
However, a concern involved with this may be how easily accessible physical activities are to the family environment. “The 2009 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey conducted among students in grades 9–12 in both public and private schools in the United States reports that 23% of students did not participate in at least 60 minutes of physical activity on at least one day over a seven-day period before the survey (NYRBS 2009).” (Fan & Jin 2007) Part of this may be related to where they live. If ready entree to parks or recreation is not available, or if the neighborhood is dangerous, it is likely that their level of activity will be decreased. While some blame can be credited to the growing sedentary lifestyle of easy media access, studies show that it might have more to do with accessibility to facilities than languor. Choosing to live in safe neighborhoods with more outlets for physical activities may encourage a more dynamic family …show more content…
Several articles referred to parents as the “agents of change”. (Danford, Schultz, Marvicsin 2015)(West, Sanders, Cleghorn, Davies 2010) With regards to that change, family-based intervention methods seem to be most effective. Therapy gives the impression that it is most useful when the entire family is involved and working together to affect correction. The strength lies in working as a unit. It is always important to be responsible for one’s own actions, however if discussing children, it may be key to recognize the role the parents may have taken in teaching, or not teaching good behaviors. If all of the accountability of the obesity is laid at the child’s door, it will be a hindrance, not a help. Sometimes a family doesn’t know what to do, or how to modify their habits cohesively as a group. This is when third party treatments can be