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__Childhood Obesity in Canada__ Priya Verma 995601326        (Image:     http://www.healthline.com/blogs/diet_nutrition/2008_07_01_diet_nutrition_archive.html)//     )

Obesity is defined as an increased amount of body weight caused by an excessive accumulation of fat (Dictionary, 2004). According to a report on Health Services in 2001 from the Canadian Institute for Health Information, rates of childhood obesity have almost tripled in the last 20 years in Canada (BMJ, 2002). How could such a health issue among children be amplified to a level deemed by experts as a nation-wide epidemic? In a developed nation such as Canada, children are provided with not only the essentials of life, but also the luxuries of over-abundance. With considerations to many contributing factors, including the public media, socio-economic status among households, social implications including environment and behavioral changes, it is evident that Canadian children are faced with an extreme dilemma that must be corrected in order to sustain their future, and generations to come. This correction can only occur if stakeholder’s such as parents, public health, government and schools do their part in creating a healthy lifestyle. Over 9 million children over 6 years of age are obese (Hassink, 3). This exceptionally large amount of obese children is a result of many existing factors. Some include the influence of the public media, family environment and poor diet choices, and the socio-economic status of households. Although, genetics is also a crucial factor with considerations of obesity, for the purpose of this research paper, we will only be covering controlled social factors that play a large part in a child’s life. These factors can also be prevented if the right measures are taken to correct them. As the media intrudes itself in the homes of many Canadians, the impact of advertisement and television plays a crucial role on the issue of child obesity. Not only are children spending more time in front of the television, they are spending less time on physical activities. Studies have shown that children that watch a lot of TV are more likely to become obese, especially because of the nature of commercials targeted towards children (Hassink, 180). One study documented approximately 11 commercials per hour during children’s Saturday morning programming, estimating that the average child viewer is subject to 1 food commercial every 5 minutes (Kaiser, 2004). This would mean that if a child watched 2 hours of television everyday, they would be subject to 24 food commercials and 168 food commercials every week. Fast-food outlets alone spend $3 billion in television ads targeted to children (Schosser, 2002).With media outlets targeting young children; it is difficult for children to decipher the persuasive elements of advertisements. Types of food commercials have evolved over the years as well. Most children under 6 cannot distinguish between programs and commercials, and the American Academy of Pediatrics concluded that advertising directed toward children is innately deceptive and exploits children under the age of 8 years (Kaiser, 2004). That being said, the media instills values within children which they may see as being normal. Eating unhealthy then becomes a regular part of everyday life for children. A child’s family environment is a key factor in preventing and in most cases, causing childhood obesity. Studies have shown that a child’s risk of obesity greatly increases if one or more parents is overweight or obese (Gavin, 2008). Contributions to obesity can also be from poor eating habits, and high calorie food choices. With these unhealthy options available, it can be very easy for parents to feel trapped under the spell of convenience foods. Adult’s aged 25-34 who were obese rose from 9% to 21% (Stats, 2005). This increase may be the link to the parallel increase in children. Parents are key role models in providing children with the right habits in order to avoid the repercussions of obesity. Treuth and colleagues have stated that girls from families with obese parents are at significant risk for becoming obese between the ages 8-10, even if they start out with a normal weight (Treuth, Butte, & Sorkin, 2003). The change must occur in the parents first in order to teach children habits of healthy eating. Research has also connected a family socio-economic status is heavily dependent on the likelihood of a child being obese. According to a study published in the Canadian Journal of Public Health, children who live in neighbourhoods with higher unemployment rates, lower average family incomes, or fewer neighbourhoods with post-secondary education, were at higher risk or being overweight or obese (Stats, 2005). Studies have also indicated that children of lower socio-economic status are less likely to eat fruits and vegetables and more likely to eat foods higher in total fat and saturated fat (Strauss & Knight, 1999). This may be because children have fewer opportunities to be more physically active, and spend more time indoors with sedentary technologies (television, internet, video games, etc.). Another link suggests that parents do not allow their children to play outside because of fear. In some cases, families do not utilize available sports or recreational activities and playgrounds in their communities due to safety concerns, fears about drug and alcohol, violence, bullying, or other threats (Gay, 2006). The number one stakeholder with regards to childhood obesity is the individual child. Obesity leads to many, often severe, health and social concerns. The health risks associated with an obese or overweight child includes breathing disorders (i.e., sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), certain types of cancer, coronary heart disease, depression, diabetes, gall bladder and liver diseases, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint diseases (i.e., osteoarthritis), stroke, etc (Obesity, 2009). Some of these issues may become detrimental to a child’s future. Psychological issues also include low self-esteem, discrimination, and reduced quality of life (Obesity, 2009). Studies have shown that children as young as 6 years may associate negative stereotypes with excess weight and believe that a heavy child is simply less likable (Hassink, 2006). At such a fragile age, these are social issues that will severely puncture a child’s state of mind. About 20% of obese 4-year olds will grow up to become obese adults (Hassink, 2006). In order to prevent this, action must be taken before the child carries an unhealthy lifestyle into their adult life. Obesity can be a very expensive issue across the nation due to the health concerns. Generally, obesity costs Canada about $1.6 billion a year in direct health-care—2.4% of total health-care spending (Maty, 2007). Another $2.7 billion is spent on indirect costs such as lost productivity, disability insurance, reduced quality of life, mental-health problems, and poor self-esteem (Fenlon, 2007). The government is also a key driver in helping curve the increase of child obesity. Many federal contributions have evolved since the recent awareness of child obesity across Canada. Some of these include, a revised Canada’s Food Guide, $5 million to help fund a program known as ParticpACTION creating public awareness about being active, A Children’s Fitness Tax Credit allowing parents to claim tax credit up to $500 for sports and physical activity programs, as well as many others. Parents play a very important role in curving the current childhood obesity epidemic. Helping a child learn these healthy eating habits must involve a team effort. Proven methods include not using food as reward, eliminating junk foods, and providing the child with nutrition family meals, as opposed to fast-food outlets (Vessey & MacKenzie, 2000). Eating together as a family is also an easy way to help transition towards a healthier lifestyle. It is important for educational institutions to take part in solving the issue of child obesity. A child’s school can play a crucial role in instilling healthy eating habits throughout their student body. Although several schools still offer many unhealthy food choices for children, recent improvement have been made to help curve this. Education officials say provincial governments and school districts have made serious improvements in the childhood obesity problem by implementing several programs aimed at slimming Canadian kids (White, 2007). Several provinces including New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick have been making some headway. They have created guidelines that ban some junk food from being served in their school, and Alberta schools will require 80% of their schools serve healthy food (White, 2007). Although these are positive improvements, more of a focus still has to be placed on physical education. **__ Is there hope? __**     The issue of child obesity is not something that should be taken lightly. It is an issue that not only stems from the child, but branches off into a nation-wide contribution. Medical studies published in 2004 found that when overweight and obese children engage in vigorous exercise, they not only lost weight, but also reversed damage to their arteries—damage that could later lead to a heart attack or stroke (Gay, 18). Obesity is not a one-way street, and with the right tools and the help of the above mentioned stakeholders, much can be done to help curve the obesity trend. Doing so helps preserve the future of children across Canada. __Works Cited:__ __ BMJ __ 16th ser. 324 (2002). __Childhood Obesity has tripled in the past 20 years.__ 15 June 2002. British Medical Journal. 28 Jan. 2009 . Fenlon, Brodie. "Child Obesity shocks Commons Committe." 27 Mar. 2007. Globe and Mail. 01 Feb. 2009 . Gavin, Mary L. "Overweight and Obesity." __Kids Health for Parents__ June 2008. Nemours Foundation. 31 Jan. 2009 . Gay, Kathlyn. __Am I Fat? : The Obesity Issue for Teens__. New York: Enslow, Incorporated, 2006. Hassink, Sandra G. __A Parent's Guide to Childhood Obesity : A Roadmap to Health__. New York: American Academy of Pediatrics, 2006. Kaiser, Henry J. __The Role of Media in Childhood Obesity__. Tech. Feb. 2004. The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation. 31 Jan. 2009 . Maty, Monica. "Report reveals staggering child obesity numbers." __Health__ 27 Mar. 2007. CTV. 01 Feb. 2009 . "obesity." //The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition//. Houghton Mifflin Company, 2004. 04 Feb. 2009. . "Obesity - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Diagnosis - Family and Child Health - Body & Health." __Site Map - Body & Health__. 2009. MediResources Inc. 01 Feb. 2009 . Peel, Region. __Chidhood Obesity: A Growing Problem__. Rep. 26 July 2007. The Regional Municipality of Peel. 31 Jan. 2009 . Stats, Canada. __Canadian Community Health Survey: Obesity among children and adults__. Rep. 6 July 2005. Statistics Canada. 01 Feb. 2009 . Stats, Canada. __Study: Socio-economic status and obesity in children__. Rep. 4 Nov. 2005. Statistics Canada. 01 Feb. 2009 . Strauss, Richard S., and Judith Knight. "Influence of the Home Environment on the Development of Obesity in Children." __American__ __Academy__ __of Pediatrics__ 103 (1999). __Pediatrics__. 6 June 1999. American Academy of Pediatrics. 31 Jan. 2009 . Treuth, M., Butte, N., & Sorkin, J. (2003a). Predictors of body fat gain in non-obese girls with a familial predisposition to obesity. //American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 71,// 893-900. Vessey, J., & MacKenzie, N. R. (2000). Childhood obesity: Strategies for prevention. // Pediatric Nursing, 26 // (5), 527-30. Retrieved May 1, 2003, from ContentSelect database. White, Patrick. "Blaming schools for childhood obesity too harsh, experts say." 6 Nov. 2007. Globe and Mail. 01 Feb. 2009 .
 * __ Contributors to Childhood Obesity:  __**
 * __ The Public Media  __**
 * __ Family Environment  __**
 * __ Socio-Economic Status  __**
 * __ Stakeholders: __**
 * __ Obese Children  __**
 * __ Public Health Care  __**
 * __ Government  __**
 * __ Parents  __**
 * __ Schools  __**