An overview of obesity.

          Obesity is a global health problem many people have been facing for years. The New Zealand Ministry of Health (2009) describes obesity as having high amounts of excess body fat in relation to one’s body mass. There may be many factors to being obese such as high food or beverage intake, no or little physical activity (New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2009), the family environment, types of foods being offered and socio-economic status.

                        According to Bray (2009) obesity has been around for over 20,000 years, with early evidence found in Stone Age artifacts across Europe, south-western France and Egypt. Ancient Greek physicians discovered that people who were overweight or obese were more likely to die suddenly and obese women were more likely to have fertility problems (Bray, 2009). Obesity in children has risen over the years with studies form 2006 /07 showing one in twelve children aged from two to fourteen years  were obese and one in five children were overweight (New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2009). Not so long ago neighbourhood children were playing on the streets, riding bikes and climbing trees, these days it seems children tend to be staying indoors, playing video games or watching television, which means little physical activity. Within the 2006/07 study statistics show two out of three children aged from five years to fourteen years old watch more than two hours of television a day (New Zealand Ministry of Health, 2009). As these statistics do not directly link to children under five years it highlights the importance of role modelling within the early years. Role modelling healthy eating and physical activity may set path ways for positive choices surrounding food and exercise in later life.

                        Many people believe that an overweight or obese child may grow out of obesity in their adult years; however Curry (2000) writes an obese child is more likely to be an obese adult. Obese children are at risk of hip and joint problems, breathing issues, high blood pressure and cholesterol issues. Studies show children as young as four years of age have developed fatty streaks within their aortas leading to their heart and by the age of ten have damaged the coronary vessels (Curry, 2000).  Obese adults may face the same risks as children however the health problems may lead into diabetes, heart disease, stokes, liver disease and cancers.

                  As more and more children are entering the early childhood setting I am asking myself how are early childhood centres and kindergartens preventing obesity?  Do parents, caregivers and whānau have access to information surrounding healthy eating and physical exercise?

Reference list:

Bray, G.A. (2009). Obesity: Science to Practice. Retrieved March 14, 2011, from            http://media.wiley.com/product_data/excerpt/15/04700191/0470019115.pdf

Curry, L.  (2000). Fit Kids. Keeping our kids healthy fit and motivated.  Queensland, Australia: Curry Kenny Promotions.

New Zealand Ministry of Health. (2009). Obesity in New Zealand. Retrieved March 14,  2011, from http://www.moh.govt.nz/obesity