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Childhood Obesity In The UK

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The prevalence of obesity in children has increased globally (World Health Organisation, 1997). It has thus become alarming as children with such conditions are at higher risk of developing health issues in the instantaneous, short or long term. The immediate health issue of obesity may result in social segregation and possible mental dysfunction (Friedman, Story and Perry, 1995; Must, 1996; Must and Strauss, 1999). Children who are overweight can be described by their peer group as being lazy or ugly (Staffieri, 1967). They may also experience bullying by their friends as a result of being overweight (Stunkard and Burt, 1967). However, this research will be focusing on the detrimental effect and management of childhood obesity in addition …show more content…

As at 2004, it was observed from a healthy survey that 14% of children between 2-11 years and 25% of 11-25 years old were obese in England, while in the USA, the prevalence of childhood obesity is observed to be higher in most minority ethnic group (fix the reference here). Additionally, excess obesity is also seen to occur in other ethnic group like South Asia, as they are more likely to be sensitive in having excess weight gain. Clearly, Obesity can be a crucial key factor in developing medical conditions such as type 2 diabetes and coronary heart disease. Thus, from public health view point, obesity is seen as a crucial health …show more content…

There are huge ranges of environmental factors that could potentially increase weight gain and the possibility of becoming obese (Booth et al., 2001; French, Story and Jeffery, 2001). These environmental influences must be arbitrated by individual’s eating and physical activity behaviour (energy intake and expenditure) (Crawford and Ball, 2002). These behaviours are critically paramount as they form the interface between human biology and the environment which the populations are exposed to (Crawford and Ball, 2002).

Furthermore, childhood obesity development may be understood through knowledge of eating habit, physical activity and behavioural pattern (Law, 2001). From epidemiology perspectives, these behaviours should be focusing on the causations, rather than the health condition or illness (Mason and Powell, 1985). In addition there should be an examination of their psychosocial and social ecological antecedents (Raymond,

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