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NR222: Health and Wellness

January 2019

Obesity in Midwestern Adolescents

It is no secret that obesity in America is at an alarming level and although we see its prevalence in adults, we often fail to discuss its rising rates within adolescents. Children are now facing the possibility of higher mortality rates, when in reality, children should be living longer than their parents. With obesity striking Midwestern communities, this paper aims to focus on understanding why children in these communities are at a higher risk and what actions are needed to help them overcome this harmful life style. This is incredibly important in order to restore and maintain health. Children who are obese have a higher comorbidity for chronic diseases that typically only affect adults such as, type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia as well as psychological disorders. This stresses the importance that adolescents should be happy and healthy, not a statistic.

Target Population: Midwestern Adolescents

To be considered as this paper’s target population an individual must meet two criteria: the person must reside in the American Midwest and be an adolescent. The State of Obesity (2016-17) ranks all fifty states against one another in obesity. Although the rankings are not confined to adolescents, it highlights where midwestern states stand in relation to the rest of the United States. The lower the number next to the state, higher portion of the population is obese : 6. Ohio (18.6%), 10. Iowa (17.7%), 11. Indiana (17.5%), 12. Michigan (17.3%), 17. Illinois (16.2%), 23. Nebraska (15.5%), 31. Wisconsin (14.3%), 34. South Dakota (13.6%), 38. Kansas (13.0%), 40. Missouri (12.7%), 42. North Dakota (12.5%) and 48. Minnesota (10.4%).These statistics provide an overview of midwestern obesity, let us now turn to risk factors contributing to adolescent specific obesity. The goal of Healthy People 2020 is to increase life expectancy and quality of life. According to their website, 1 in 6 children and adolescents are obese. That number is concerning because many adolescents do not understand the consequences of their actions and how it can be detrimental later on in their adult years. Healthy People 2020 initiatives are aimed in helping adolescents in 1. achieving and maintaining a healthy weight, 2. Reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke, 3. Reduce the risk of certain forms of cancer, 4. Strengthen muscles, bones and joints and 5. Improve mood and energy level (Healthy People 2020, n.d.).According to Stanford Children’s Health (n.d.), one of the biggest contributors to adolescent obesity is excessive food intake which results in a surplus of caloric intake. A diet that is high in sugar and fat, as well as processed, will result in weight gain. As busy parents tend to their kids and their extracurriculars, eating on the go often results in poor food and beverage choices for the child. Other factors include sedentary lifestyles which results in lower energy expenditures, socioeconomic factors, metabolic factors and genetics.

Article Summary

The three primary articles used for researching this project looked at adolescent obesity from three different angles. Geography, familial stability, and socioeconomic status all either directly or indirectly effect adolescent obesity. Let us begin with obesity’s relationship to geographic regions. Kelley et al., (2015) highlighted how obesity within men differs between geographical regions. They also aimed their focus on racial and ethnic differences. They compared men that lived in the Northeast, Midwest, West, and the South. Findings show that men living in the Midwest have a greater chance of being obese than those in the West. Regarding the racial aspect, black men are more likely to become obese than white men in the South, West, and Midwest. Additionally, Asian men are less likely to be obese than white men (Kelley et al., 2015). Keep in mind, these findings are dependent on numerous other factors such as “marital status, insurance, income, education, fair/poor health, physical inactivity, and smoking and drinking status” (Kelley et al., 2015). Although this article did not associate these statistics with adolescent children, Haines et al., (2016) highlighted the importance of familial stability effect weight-related behaviors in children.

The Haines study found that less than 8% of adolescents meet the recommended minimum of 60 minutes per day of physical activity (Haines, et al., 2016). They further found 16% of adolescents, an alarming number, have high sugar diets. Both findings result in poor dietary choices as well as sedentary lifestyles ultimately leading to higher obesity rates in adolescent populations (Haines, et al., 2016). Although obesity is a major concern, what obesity leads to is just as striking. Adolescents who are currently obese have a higher risk of adult obesity later in life. Obese Adolescents also increase their chance of health disparities such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes. Adolescents’ are not born overweight which raises the question of how families play a role in this crisis. They aimed to study family functioning and quality parental relationships. Studies show that high-quality mother and father relationships between male and female kin was associated with lower rates of obesity and insufficient physical activity (Haines, et al., 2016).

Frederick et al., (2014) showed that obesity is foremost a public health crisis. Socioeconomic status plays a major role in food consumption and levels of physical activity. Healthier food options are costlier than fast food items, which makes healthy food far more inaccessible to lower income populations, creating a food desert (Frederick et al., 2014) Moreover, low income neighborhoods have fewer playgrounds, sidewalks, and recreational facilities (Frederick et al., 2014), limiting the access children have to public spaces that can increase physical activity levels. Lastly, education is also linked with making healthy lifestyle choices. Children with more educated parents will less likely engage in unhealthy eating (Frederick et al., 2014).

The articles mentioned share some conclusions with Healthy People 2020. Healthy People 2020 also state that many communities do not have access to quality grocery markets or facilities that promote physical activity. Other modifiable factors include education level, and socioeconomic status. Interestingly, they fail to mention parental roles within adolescent obesity as concluded above by Haines et al., (2016).

Health Promotion: Early Obesity Prevention

Obesity is easily preventable; although it is difficult to entirely avoid when environmental factors play such a critical role. With informative meetings and health fairs, adolescents and parents can address their concerns, as well as learn ways to get access healthy food and fitness centers/parks. Many people who engage in unhealthy lifestyles have limited resources available. It is important for adolescents to the learn the importance of healthy eating in schools. Implementing a nutrition class early on will be just as beneficial as physical education classes. Cafeteria food can also use an upgrade. Limiting the amount of high fat and sugar foods by replacing them with more wholesome foods made with real ingredients free from preservatives will help adolescents make conscious decisions down the line. It is also important for schools to eliminate vending machines to help teens make healthier choices. Another program that would be a great is for children and parents to get physically active and involved together. Community sporting events where parents and children can get participate together would be a great way for not only the family to get physically active, but also to help bolster familial relationships.

Conclusion

Adolescent obesity is a rising concern for the U.S. Adolescents are increasing their chances for chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and type II diabetes, all of which can be prevented by lowering caloric intake, limiting processed and sugary foods and increasing physical activity levels. Although certain variables play a factor in adolescent obesity such as socioeconomic status and education, it is imperative for children and parents to receive help from the medical and public health community to ensure equal access of resources to all. These children are the future and it is important for them to continually live and maintain a healthy lifestyle in which it can benefit them for the greater good.

References

Default - Stanford Children's Health. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2019, from https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=obesity-in-adolescents-90-P01627

Frederick, C. B., Snellman, K., & Putnam, R. D. (2014). Increasing socioeconomic disparities in adolescent obesity. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,111(4), 1338-1342. doi:10.1073/pnas.1321355110

Haines, J., Rifas-Shiman, S. L., Horton, N. J., Kleinman, K., Bauer, K. W., Davison, K. K., . . . Gillman, M. W. (2016). Family functioning and quality of parent-adolescent relationship: Cross-sectional associations with adolescent weight-related behaviors and weight status. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity,13(1). doi:10.1186/s12966-016-0393-7

Healthy People 2020. (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2019, from https://www.healthypeople.gov/

Kelley, E. A., Bowie, J. V., Griffith, D. M., Bruce, M., Hill, S., & Thorpe, R. J. (2015). Geography, Race/Ethnicity, and Obesity Among Men in the United States. American Journal of Mens Health,10(3), 228-236. doi:10.1177/1557988314565811

Myers, C. A., Slack, T., Martin, C. K., Broyles, S. T., & Heymsfield, S. B. (2014). Regional disparities in obesity prevalence in the United States: A spatial regime analysis. Obesity,23(2), 481-487. doi:10.1002/oby.20963

Study of Children Ages 10 to 17 (2016-17). (n.d.). Retrieved March 24, 2019, from https://www.stateofobesity.org/children1017/

The State of Obesity 2015: Better Policies for a Healthier America. (2018, November 01). Retrieved March 24, 2019, from https://www.rwjf.org/en/library/articles-and-news/2015/09/State-of-Obesity-Report-2015.html