Challenges in Nursing: Increased Childhood Obesity Essay

Modern nurses encounter many an(prenominal) difficulties while fulfilling their role as a patient advocate, educator, and partner. One major task nurses atomic number 18 confronted with is the growing epizootic of youngsterhood fleshiness as younger patients argon being toughened for serious conditions usually associated with adult patients. According to the Ameri shadow Nurses Association article, armed combat Childhood Obesity, approximately 13 million corpulent pincerren in the united States, and the rate of puerility corpulency has increased from 14.8% in 2003 to 16.4% in 2007 (J hotshots, 2010, p.1). These numbers be alarming to healthcare winrs such as nurses as this issue has bountiful from a common disease to an epidemic. Childhood obesity is a dispute for nurses due to cultural, socio-economical, and physiological barriers however, overcoming these matters will take expert initiatory from nurses as they educate parents and children of the greatness of wate r-loving living.Cultural BarriersWhen breaking down the barriers of childishness obesity, one substantial factor is culture. Many cultures cod different views on the determining factors of obesity. Penn and Kerr (2014) explain, puerility obesity is a consequence of dietary neglect, with parental choices cause detriment to a childs health and well-being (p.20). Parents have a major impact on their childs day-by-day activities and overall routines thru un reasoned customs such as poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. As a result, these practices are superimposed on the child observing these type of behaviors. Many parents instigate behavioral factors in obese children by making their children eat everything on their plate. Children grow up with this in condition(p) behavior of eating unhealthy meal proportions, and it trends continuously through generations. Likewise, children who do not see their parentsactively engaged in visible legal action tend to develop the re sembling fitness practice. As parents acknowledge the take chances factors for puerility obesity and become better role models, childhood obesity will become obsolete.Socio-economic BarriersEconomic deprivation may pose significant problems on many different levels in a society where many families are living from one pay check to the next. The cost of healthy pabulum is considerably higher than the cost of fast nutrient, convenient meals, and nurture lunch. Fast food chains often offer dollar menus with foods that are high in fats, sodium, and MSGs. Grocery stores in low income areas have a poor selection of fresh produce and organic food, yet the same grocery stores are abundantly stocked with boxed and frozen meals ripe of preservatives. Federally funded school lunch programs are not sufficiently financed to provide a nutritional variety to children. Berkowitz and Borchard (2009) state, foods which children are routinely exposed work out preferences and consumption (p. 3). T his suggests that children will eat the foods that are in stock(predicate) to them. Eating fruits and vegetables is a solution in decreasing caloric intake of fatty food thereby reducing obesity related to issues.Physiological BarriersPhysiological barriers associated with childhood obesity encompass aspects that inhibit a childs corporeal function and psycho well-disposed wellbeing. Today many children prefer to figure in sedentary activities such as watching television/playing video games kinda of going outside to play on the playground (Rabbitt and Coyne, 1995, p.731). Inactivity leads to lean gain and decreased vitality by slowing down the childs metabolism. Weight gain reflects a childs physical appearance, which is an element that influences a childs self-concept. The way a psyche view themselves and how others view them are established throughout adulthood. A sedentary lifestyle as a child affects relationships with peers by causing bullying, social isolation, and low s elf-esteem. It is also a precursor to other illnesses that may run low throughout life. Increased physical activity aids in overcoming the obstacles related to childhood obesity.Effects on nurse and Nursing InterventionsChildhood obesity has an effect on nursing by the increased number of medically treated children with serious conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and asthma thus creating a vast spectrum of challenges related to this epidemic. Nurses may authorise parents in a non threatening way by identifying defining characteristics of childhood obesity. Information can be provided to bring awareness through sharing comprehensible literature and clear health related statistics. School nurses can actively advocate for healthier lunch options to be made available in schools and help children and parents understand healthy proportions by putting unneurotic nutritious selections. Nurses may promote exercise routines that children and their family can activ ely participate in by implementing strategies that are cohesive to the interests of the children. These interventions will reverse childhood obesity by incorporating a collaborative effort among nurses, parents, and children.ConclusionThe wage increase epidemic of childhood obesity is an area of concern in American healthcare. Nurses experience direct effects of childhood obesity as children are being treated in school clinics, primary care offices, emergency brake rooms, and other healthcare facilities. Nurses face many challenges while educating patients on the importance of lifestyle changes that influence a healthier way of life. Cultural, socio-economical, and physiological barriers are challenges that must be considered in the process to overcome childhood obesity. The nursing role transitions from an educator to a patient advocate and finally a partner along with other stake holders such as parents, schools, communities, food and beverage companies, as well as government of ficials in the initiative to create an equal opportunity for all children to live a healthy life. This opportunity may be created through educating the public on the factors of obesity, maintaining recover to affordable healthy foods, encouraging healthier eating habits at station and school, and developing a child friendly exercise regimen. Since the fight against childhood obesity is a great concern, more work must be done in the effort to resolve this issue.ReferencesBerkowitz, B., Borchard, M. (2009). Advocating for the prevention of childhood obesity A call to action for nursing. The Online Journal of Issues in Nursing, 14(1), 1-9. Jones, Trinna. (2010). Fighting childhood obesity Taking a stand to control an epidemic one child at a time. ANA Issue Brief, 42(4), 1-3. Penn, S., & Kerr, J. (2014). Childhood obesity the challenges for nurses. Nursing Children & Young People, 26(2), 16-21. doi10.7748/ncyp2014.03.26.2.16.e398 Rabbitt, A., & Coyne, I. (2012). Childhood obesity nurs es role in addressing the epidemic. British Journal of Nursing, 21(12), 731-735.