Business Proposal: Reducing Childhood Obesity

Introduction

The modern society has experienced significant increase in concern for health issues. The government along with the various agencies in question attempt to develop ways of ensuring the individuals achieve good health and well-being. The improved health monitoring techniques and reports on current standards show that the society is at risk of poor health and development of chronic illnesses. The primary concern is obesity and overweight issues. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report that more than one-third (36.5%) of the US adults have obesity. The numbers are worrying for children as since the 1970s, the incidence of obesity among children in the US has more than rippled affecting one in five children of school-going-age (6-19 years). The major concern is that without significant changes, the next generation will suffer from numerous chronic illnesses and significantly increase expenditure on healthcare. Following the surge in childhood obesity over the past four decades it is essential that changes are made in processes, procedures, products, people, or structure to ensure an effective decline in its prevalence and secure the health and well-being of future generations. 

Processes

The issue of childhood obesity is considered one that has reached the status of an epidemic. In this regard, it is important that the issue is addressed as promptly and effectively as possible. The incorporation of effective interventions is one of the major processes of ensuring the significant reduction in childhood obesity. There are numerous processes that the organization can implement including, weight loss programs, increase physical activity of clients, healthy diets, and support measures of improving health and wellness of the individual. In this case, the above interventions will incorporate proven techniques that parents can use to help their children reduce weight and minimize unhealthy eating (Wojcicki, & Heyman, 2012). The weight loss programs for instance should be structured in such a way to fit the needs of the individual client. Obesity and being overweight like many other diseases occur differently from one patient to the next. It is for this reason that the intervention programs may require individualization to fit the needs of the client.

There are cases where numerous individuals may not be able to afford costly processes of ensuring weight loss in the child. Therefore, the organization my provide education programs that enable parents to improve their knowledge on how best to improve health and wellness for themselves and their child. The process of losing weight and achieving a healthy body mass index (BMI) particularly when it concern the child it becomes a family affair (Wojcicki, & Heyman, 2012). The caregivers, along with the siblings are involved in practices that will ensure improved care for personal health. Older children, those who have reached adolescence, can take responsibility of their health. They will participate in physical activity and monitoring eating habits to ensure they do not deviate from the required standards. The process of education is an essential factor towards reducing childhood obesity. The knowledge gained from this is more important that the various activities that one may undertake to achieve a healthy weight. 

Procedures

There are various procedures in the organization that are essential for effective provision of care. In an effort to develop effective interventions for the community to implement, it is necessary that there are accurate diagnostic measures in place. In this case, pediatricians play an integral role in the development of identifying the presence of the disease (Wang, Orleans, & Gortmaker, 2012). Each child receiving care from select pediatricians will have information recorded and stored in hospital databases for the primary purpose of attending to the needs of the patient. The parents should also present the most accurate form of eating habits of the child and the family to identify ways of providing assistance (Wang, Orleans, & Gortmaker, 2012). It is also evident, that there various parents who give birth to children who are already at risk of becoming obese. In this practice, it is important to change prenatal care procedures such that they include educational measures of reducing the risk that the child faces. Even for parents who are not at risk, the changes made may also apply to help alleviate the risk to almost a minimum.

To successfully achieve the goals set for reducing occurrence and prevalence of childhood obesity, it essential that the organization improves our knowledge on the associated factors. As the issue of obesity as it affects the children and adults alike, it is important that the associated individuals identify the factors associated with successful adoption of obesity-reducing behaviors (Wang, Orleans, & Gortmaker, 2012). By the age of four at least 18.4% of all children in the US are obese and have realized a BMI in the 95th percentile or more as per age and gender. In this regard, researchers should look into the issues during this period between birth and age four that lead to the development and occurrence of the disease. The research by Grave and colleagues identifies the importance of such knowledge as it helps design procedures and techniques that are powerful enough to combat the toxicity of the environment in advocating for healthier lifestyles (Wang, Orleans, & Gortmaker, 2012). 

Products

One of the primary factors influencing the surge in childhood obesity is the significant exposure to unhealthy food. In this case, from a young age, American children from different family backgrounds are exposed to foods considered to be a staple in the society. For instance, hotdogs, French fries, fried chicken, and pizza are common foods that have become important to the American society (Frieden, Dietz, & Collins, 2010). Individuals are introduced to these foods from a tender age and begin to become a habitual food or snack for the family. The images associated with these foods are attractive and even their mention could strike a craving for the members. These staple foods for the modern society are also easily available. There are thousands of fast food restaurants around all neighborhoods in the US providing at least one of the foods at an affordable price (Frieden, Dietz, & Collins, 2010). In this practice, the desire and demand for these products are heightened increasing risk of becoming obese.

On the other hand, the healthy foods have received a negative attention and image to the public. The individuals identify them as disgusting and incapable of satisfying the appetite of the one who consumes them. It is evident that the natural state of these foods leads to the development of a negative attitude towards healthy food (Frieden, Dietz, & Collins, 2010). Furthermore, over the past three decades, healthy food has become more expensive compared to junk food that accelerates the occurrence of obesity. The organization should take the initiative of lobbying the local leaders and government officials to help reduce taxes on healthy foods while increasing that of the unhealthy ones (Wojcicki, & Heyman, 2012). This practice is intended to drive up demand for diet of balanced nutrients. As depicted in the case of tobacco, increased taxation significantly reduces consumption in the community (Frieden, Dietz, & Collins, 2010). The same practice could help alleviate unhealthy eating practices. 

People

The epidemic of childhood obesity does not affect the American population equally as there is reason to believe that some communities are worse off than others. The reports by the CDC show that the prevalence of the disease is fairly stable at 17% affecting nearly 12.7million children. However, the distribution of impact is affected by factors such as race, age, and socioeconomic backgrounds. The Hispanic community is depicted to be the most affected by the disease with a prevalence of 21.9%, which is significantly higher than the blacks and whites at 19.5% and 14.7% respectively. The report suggests that Hispanics and African Americans are more likely to suffer from the obesity compared to the whites and the general children population due to the significantly higher incidence of the disease (Cyril, Nicholson, Agho, Polonsky, & Renzaho, 2017). Additionally, the medical workers and fitness personnel should be more concerned by this group in the development and design of the intervention strategies for reducing occurrence of the disease. 

The cultural and socioeconomic status of the individual affects the prevalence of the disease. The individuals from low-income families are more likely to become obese than those from middle-income and high-income backgrounds. In this regard, the issue of the prices of unhealthy foods is emphasized to show its effect on the community. The children of a younger age are less likely to be obese (Cyril et al., 2017). However, the CDC report shows a steady increase in prevalence for the different age groups 2 to 5 years, 6 to 11years, and 12 to 19 years at 8.9%, 17.5%, and 20.5% respectively. In this case, the organization should note the factors that influence the steady increase in incidence and the practices that could help evade the risk. It is also evident that the children in Asian communities are less likely to experience obesity as opposed to the above mentioned ethnicities with a prevalence of 8.6%. In this case, it is important to monitor behavior and cultural practices of the members to identify how the disease is alleviated (Cyril et al., 2017). Additionally, the research should take into consideration some practices in the design of an effective weight-loss program for the rest of the community. 

Structure

The epidemic of childhood obesity is one that affects the entire society in all of its structural forms. In this case, the legislative, education, healthcare, and economic sectors of the country are affected by this issue. Obesity is described as a preventable illness that can be contained at an early stage in life. However, the poor lifestyles of members and the unhealthy diets have led to significant impact on the health sector. In 2008 the annual cost of care of on obesity issues was at $147 billion with the increased prevalence leading to the inflated expenditure by nearly $40 billion. In this review, it is important to identify the ways in which the healthcare sector can provide significant assistance in eradicating the problem so as to drive down the cost of care. Obesity is also affected by the education sector. The schools are depicted as a source of knowledge for the children and community at large. However, there has been little involvement by the schools on ways of reducing the epidemic. The schools serve as contributors to the health concern as they provide unhealthy foods to the children willing to receive the available meals. The organization should develop significant meal plans and procedural practices that could help organizations reduce the incidence and prevalence of obesity among children.

Conclusion

The above business proposal identifies numerous areas of concerns that require significant changes to help in the significant reduction of childhood obesity. Over the past few decades, there has been a significant rise in the occurrence of the disease to epidemic proportions. The organization as a major player in the change of community lifestyles should devise techniques that influence processes, procedures, products, people, or structure to help minimize further spread of the health concern. The involvement of the organization is integral to developing measures and techniques that serve the needs of the patient and improve overall health outcomes. 

References

Cyril, S., Nicholson, J. M., Agho, K., Polonsky, M., & Renzaho, A. M. (2017). Barriers and facilitators to childhood obesity prevention among culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities in Victoria, Australia. Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health, 41 (3), 287-293.

Dalle Grave, R., Centis, E., Marzocchi, R., El Ghoch, M., & Marchesini, G. (2013). Major factors for facilitating change in behavioral strategies to reduce obesity. Psychology Research and Behavior Management, 6 , 101.

Frieden, T. R., Dietz, W., & Collins, J. (2010). Reducing childhood obesity through policy change: acting now to prevent obesity. Health Affairs, 29 (3), 357-363.

Wang, Y. C., Orleans, C. T., & Gortmaker, S. L. (2012). Reaching the healthy people goals for reducing childhood obesity: closing the energy gap. American Journal of Preventive Medicine, 42 (5), 437-444.

Wojcicki, J. M., & Heyman, M. B. (2012). Reducing childhood obesity by eliminating 100% fruit juice. American Journal of Public Health, 102 (9), 1630-1633.