How Can We Help?

We have seen a rise in childhood obesity.  There are a lot of health risk factors that come along with an unhealthy lifestyle.  When we look at an overweight child we want to see where it started. We like to look at who influenced this type of behavior.  Obesity has been on the rise in America with food proportions and self-control becoming out of control. Every area of the macrosystem, within the American culture is taught to live the easy lifestyle. Loosing weight, finding time to be active and learning how to properly prepare meals are taught against the society views. In our Ecosystem we are shown two different extreme views, how to loose weight, however to an extreme and then on the other end we are shown ways to enjoy food, in the car or on the go. Or meals for every occasion. This view within our children can all be changed within the microsystem, meaning our own home. 

The following article states some factors and changes that can really influence a child’s life.  We can start by teaching them in the home.  What a child learns in the home gets taken with them wherever they go.  This also goes along with how a child learns and educates themselves.  If parents teach their children healthy eating habits and why they should do that then the child will be more attracted to wanting to eat healthier. 

We can also help children in the public school systems as well.  There could be healthier eating options, and getting rid of certain “junk” food in vending machines.  Schools should help promote a health lifestyle as well.  The public can also use media to advertise healthier lifestyles.  That can be a major influence to a child’s life. 

http://web.b.ebscohost.com.byui.idm.oclc.org/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=b07c06d4-bca7-4bc9-8f88-901ed7da682e%40sessionmgr114&vid=4&hid=128

Farley, T. A., & Dowell, D. (2014). Preventing Childhood Obesity: What Are We Doing Right?. American Journal Of Public Health, 104(9), 1579-1583. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2014.302015