PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS.

PREVALENCE OF OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY AMONG CHILDREN & ADOLESCENTS.

Dr. Titto Cherian

Assistant Professor of Physical Education, Patriarch Ignatius Zakka First Training College, Puthencruz, M. G University, Kerala, INDIA

Abstract

Promoting physical activity for children has received considerable attention during the past decade. During childhood, physical and psychological health is related to participation in regular physical activity. In addition, physical activity and physical inactivity track from childhood to adult hood. The tracking of physical activity has strong implications, given the documented health benefits of regular physical activity for adults. Many skills adults use to become physically active are learned while engaging in physical activity during childhood. Obesity among our youth also has become a national concern. Physical activity has been recommended as an important component in combating the increasing prevalence of obesity. Because evidence continues to mount regarding benefits of physical activity for children, promoting physical activity has become a national health priority. (Blair & Connelly, 1996).

Keywords: Lifestyle, Physical activity, Prevalence, Obesity

Introduction

            Schools have played a vital role in the provision of physical activity to children and youth for more than a century. Physical Education has been an institution in schools since the late 1990, and school sports have been a growing component of the educational enterprise since the early 1980s. Traditionally, students have engaged in physical activity during recess breaks in the school day and by walking or riding bicycles to and from school. However, as we move into the 21st century, alarming health trends are emerging, suggesting that schools need to renew and expand their role in providing and promoting physical activity for our nation’s young people.( Sallis et al., 2003)

            Over the years, many public healths, medical, and educational authorities have called on schools to give greater attention to provision of physical activity to students. It has often been recommended that Physical Education programs be expanded, and for several decades professional organizations have indicated that the provision of “quality, daily physical education” should be a standard to which schools aspire. The recent rapid increase in childhood obesity rates suggests that a reconsideration of the role of the schools in addressing this problem is necessary and appropriate

            Physical activity is important for our young people's health. Children and adolescents who participate in higher levels of physical activity are less likely to display risk factors for cardiovascular disease and more likely to have positive outcomes in weight regulation. With unprecedented global increases in the prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity, there is an urgent need for effective physical activity programs to reduce the incidence of overweight and obesity. (Pangrazi et al., 1996).  Recent systematic reviews of the effectiveness of young people's physical activity interventions have focused only on school setting, noncurricular approaches, studies published over a short time period, the effectiveness of physical activity interventions in pediatric obesity treatment and prevention or cardiovascular disease outcomes, or physical activity strategies across the lifespan with limited application to children, or they were published some time ago.

            Given the central role of physical activity in the prevention of overweight and obesity, a comprehensive critical review of the evidence is needed. A meta-analysis may be preferable in order to provide a quantitative summary, but variability across research designs and methods of physical activity assessment prevented such an approach. Because so few studies have followed the consolidated standards of reporting Trials or Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Nonrandomized Designs guidelines in reporting evaluation results (e.g., sample size, response rates, attrition/retention, compliance), it is not possible to determine the effectiveness of studies based on reporting compliance.

            As there are several important differences in physical activity between children and adolescents (e.g., younger children's physical activity tends to consist of intermittent and spontaneous bursts, they rarely engage in sustained activity bouts, and they typically have less autonomy than adolescents), this review will focus on the two age groups separately (Welk, 1996). The aim of this paper is to provide a narrative review of the evidence of the effectiveness of interventions that report physical activity outcomes among children and among adolescents. The review will inform the development of effective intervention strategies and policies.         

            With global increases in the prevalence of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, there has never been a more urgent need for effective physical activity programs. The aim of this narrative review is to summarize the evidence of the effectiveness of interventions that report physical activity outcomes in children. Children's physical activity interventions that were most effective in the school setting included some focus on physical education, activity breaks, and family strategies. Interventions delivered in the family setting were not highly effective, but many were pilot studies. (Warren,1995.) The use of motivationally tailored strategies and program delivery in the primary care setting showed promise among adolescents. Publications reporting the results of evaluations of intervention studies should follow the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials guidelines or, for nonrandomized studies, should follow the Transparent Reporting of Evaluations with Non-randomized Designs guidelines. Further evidence of the effectiveness of interventions promoting young people's physical activity in family and community settings is needed.

Participation in Physical Activity

          Children are more active than adults, but their activity levels decline as they move toward adolescence, and significant numbers of young people do not participate in recommended levels of physical activity. Most of the students spent more than 3 hrs per day watching television.

Physical Education

          Physical Education is a mandated part of the school curriculum in most states, and daily PE is recommended by numerous entities. In addition to providing opportunities for physical activity, Physical Education has traditionally pursued objectives that are not necessarily directly related to health outcomes. These include objectives in the cognitive, social, and emotional domains. However, the percentage of students participating in daily Physical Education classes decreased significantly from 1991 to 1995. Physical Education should be a school-based program that provides students with opportunities to be physically active and to acquire the skills and knowledge needed to establish and sustain an active lifestyle (Hackensmith, 1966.)

Conclusion

            Although schools are under increasing pressure to increase student scores on standardized tests, the recent dramatic rise in the prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents in our country that there is a pressing need for the nation’s schools to systematically and effectively promote behaviors that will prevent the development of overweight. Physical activity is a key determinant of weight status. Disquieting trends in other segments of our society, such as increased “screen time” and decreased reliance on physically active transport, indicate that the schools should assume a leadership role in ensuring that young people engage in adequate amounts of physical activity each day. This statement advances policy initiatives that, if fully implemented, would position our schools as societal leaders in addressing an enormous public health challenge. Physical activity that is planned or structured, involving repetitive body movements done to improve or maintain one or more physical fitness components.

References

1. Bucher, C.A.(1999). Historical foundations of physical education and sport. Foundations of Physical Education and Sport. 13th ed,146–193.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Participation in high school physical education—United States, 1991–2003. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep; 53: 844–847.Medline

3. http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/fact_sheet.htm. Accessed March 10, 2005.

4. Johnson,  D.(1998). Many schools putting an end to child’s play. New York Times. April 7, A1.

5. Stupinsky, S.& Findlay, M.(2001). The fourth R: recess and its link to learning. The Educational Forum. 66: p.16–25.

6. Weston A. (1962).The making of American physical education. New York: Appleton-Century-Crofts ;16(4):310–323.

7. Physical Education Is Critical to a Complete Education. Reston, National Association for Sport and Physical Education; 2001.

8. Grunbaum (2001). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance—United States,  MMWR Surveill Summ. 53: 1–96.Medline

9. Daniels,S.R.(2005). Overweight in children and adolescents: pathophysiology, consequences, prevention, and treatment. Circulation.111: 1999–2012.

10. Hackensmith , C.W.(1966) History of physical education. New York,Vol VIII,p.27.

11. Blair, S. N., & Connelly, J. C. (1996). How much physical activity should we do? The case for moderate amounts and intensities of physical activity. RESEARCH QUARTERLY FOR EXERCISE AND SPORT, 67(2), 193-205. EJ 533 437.

12. Biddle S, Sallis JF, Cavill NA. Young and Active? Young People and Health Enhancing Physical Activity—Evidence and Implications: A Report of the Health Education Authority Symposium, Young and Active? London, UK: Health Education Authority; 1998.

13. Warren, C. W. (1995). School Physical Education. Journal of school health, 65(8), 339-343. EJ 520 865

14. Welk, G. J. (1996). Physical activity for children and youth. JOPERD, 67(4), 38-43. EJ 528 648

15. Pangrazi, R. P., Corbin, C. B., & Welk, G. J. (1996). Physical activity for children and youth. JOPERD, 67(4), 38-43. EJ 528 648

16. Stefanie,J,M, Verstraete, Greet,M,Cardon, Bourdeaudhuij,.( 2007). Public Health Nutrition May;10(5):477-84

17. Merlin E Jurg.(2006). Health Promot Int , 8;21(4):320-30. Epub  Sep 8.

18. Sallis, J.F., McKenzie, T.L., Alcaraz, J.E., Kolody, B., Faucette, N., Hovell, M.F.,(1997). The effects of a 2-year physical education program (SPARK) on physical activity and fitness in elementary school students: Sports, play and active recreation for kids. American Journal of Public Health; 87(8):1328–1334