Childhood Obesity: A Comprehensive Analysis of Diagnosis, Risks, and Proactive Health Measures

Introduction

Child Health Case focuses upon the treatment of five major illnesses that rampantly cause the death of children which are: Malaria, Pneumonia, Diarrhea, Measles, and Malnutrition. Child health care is, therefore, under the determination to improve the diagnostic skills of health workers to strengthen the health system, which will eventually enhance the practices of various households and communities.

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In an attempt to identify the health condition, various diagnostic tests, and assessment tools are usable. Validity and reliability of the results produced by tests or tools will always be influenced by varied factors, making it very important to exercise care when settling on a particular test or tool (Ball et al., 2014). Tests carried out in the body can provide a broader picture of the nutrition that a child is receiving, whether it is adequate or poses the child to risks of health issues. The body tests will, however, give only one side of the story. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (2015), the history of the family that the child is growing, their lifestyle, and culture are essential factors of consideration when handling child health cases. However, tapping this information and then disseminating it to the concerned individuals is a very delicate process (Ball et al., 2014).

The health issue of the child that I have been assigned is health weight issues (Obesity). Child Obesity refers to Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above 95th percentile for children of the same age and sex (Barlow & Experts, 2007). It is calculated when we divide the child's weight in kilograms by the square height in meters. BMI is always age-and-sex specific for children. The bodily variation in children as they grow, also dependent upon sex, it is established through age-and-sex specific percentage for BMI. The condition is having a high correlation with body fats measures. A child who is above the normal/healthy weight is obese.

According to Barlow & Experts (2007), obesity is caused by factors such as a community of stay, behavior, and genetics. Children fed on beverages and foods with high-calories and low-nutrients will become obese. Spending too much time on a television screen and other screen devices, less physical activities, and altered sleep patterns lead to obesity. If children are fed on a healthy diet and are kept physically active, they will not grow obese. Obese children are likely to undergo several health risks both in their immediate and future lives. They are likely to suffer from cardiovascular diseases due to high blood pressure and cholesterol. Obese children suffer from low self-esteem, social problems like stigma and bullying, and psychological challenges like depression and anxiety. In the future, these children are more likely to become adults with obesity making the likelihood of their disease factors more severe (Barlow & Experts, 2007).

Additional required information for further weight assessment

To further assess the weight health of the child, I will need additional information on the family history of the parents to help establish whether it is an independent or inherited case. I will also need to know the eating habit and the feeding diet of the family from which the child is coming from. The living environment of the family has a more significant influence on the choices made by the child regarding physical activity, and this additional information will be necessary for further diagnosis.

The Identified Risks

Obesity by genetics: The man taking care of the child is having a history of obesity. There are more likely chances that these obese genes may be passed down to the child if the man is the biological father (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). I will therefore want to enquire more if he is the biological father or just a caregiver. This is very sensitive information; therefore, I will have to explain the likely effects of obesity on a child and how it can be passed from a parent to a child by genes to help the man open up and share if there be any blood relationship between him and the child.

Dietary habits: The man is living in a rural community and is jobless. There are chances that there is inconsistency in affording well-balanced diet food for the child. Diet is a very fundamental checker to tell whether a child is obese or not (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2015). I would, therefore, want more information about the family's feeding habits to assist in further evaluation of the child's health. Because getting information about an individual's living standard is so unlikely, I will have to create the desire for the child's good health in the mind of the parent/caregiver to give more home dietary details.

Specific questions I would ask about the child to get more information

• What physical activities does the child engage in on any other day?
• What kind of diet have you been giving to the child in the past three months?
• Does the child experience any difficulty with breathing?
• On average, how many hours does the child spend watching television or playing on a computer today?
• Does the child express any signs of stress or anxiety?

How the parents/caregiver can be proactive about their child's health and weight

Dietary plan: I will encourage the parents/caregivers to follow a healthy diet plan for the child. The program advises on eating various fruits and vegetables, a variety of lean protein foods, whole grains, low fats, and fat-free dairy products. They should limit beverages and foods with sugar additives, sodium, or solid fats. I will therefore, give them the Dietary Guideline suitable for the child.

Physical activity: The parents/caregivers should help the child to get enough physical activity during the day. Moderate to vigorous physical exercise is necessary to assist the child in daily growth and development. I will therefore give the parents/caregivers the Physical Activity Guideline, which will help improve the child's health.

References

Ball, J. W., Dains, J. E., Flynn, J. A., Solomon, B. S., & Stewart, R. W. (2014). Seidel's Guide to Physical Examination-E-Book. Elsevier Health Sciences.

Barlow, S. E. (2007). Expert committee recommendations regarding the prevention, assessment, and treatment of child and adolescent overweight and obesity: summary report. Pediatrics, 120(Supplement 4), S164-S192.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2015). Division of nutrition, physical activity, and obesity. National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion: US Physical Activity Statistics. http://www. cdc. gov/nccdphp/dnpa/physical/stats.