Nutrition Issues Paper

Nutrition and health plays a critical yet important role in the growth and development in young children in today’s society. Heredity and environment plays an important part in determining the factors that affect children’s health (Groark, Song, 2012, sec. 1.1). “A child 's state of health, whether positive or negative, has direct influence on child development” (Groark, Song, 2012, sec 1.1). The constant growth process of a child is considered child development. Addressing the issues related to obesity in ways it impacts nutrition issues in children growth and development short and long term, describe a specific child who has a nutrition issue dealing with obesity, and describe three specific ways to combat this nutrition issue that involve

Child development is affected by all things leading up to nutrition such as health, behavior, and safety. “Obesity is characterized by the accumulation of excess body fat and can be conceptualized as the physical manifestation of chronic energy excess” (Chaput, Tremblay, 2006). Some blame obesity on genetics alone, “but genetics alone cannot explain the rapid increase in the prevalence of obesity in our population” (Groark, Song, 2012, sec. 2.2). Obesity can have a short and long term affect on a child’s physical and mental health. Obesity comes into play from a child being over-nutrition by foods that are not nutrient-dense foods. Long term affects that obesity can have on a child could be heart disease, diabetes, and strokes (Groark, Song, 2012, sec. 1.2). Short term affects that obesity can have on a child could be isolation, poor self-esteem, and

This child’s weight is important and is determined by their diet and activity level which is different for both home and school. This child’s school day is affected in specific areas such as: meal times (breakfast and lunch), recess, Physical Education, and classroom time with her peers. When at home, she is allowed to eat what she pleases because her parents see the sadness in her eyes that comes with her life on a daily basis at school. Meal times at school for this young girl consist of dietary options to control her Type 2 diabetes. Her portion sizes are very controlled when eating in the school setting by a portion plate. More vegetables and fruits are given to her with a small amount of grains and proteins. There is no fruit juice or soda served to her during meals, but the only options she has is 2% milk and water. It is recommended that children of her age get at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day during recess. Because she doesn’t have many friends her recess time consist of sitting and watching all the other children run around of get as much physical exercise as possible. “Although physical education (PE) in schools can help kids get up and moving, more and more schools are eliminating PE programs or cutting down the time spent on fitness-building activities’ (Overweight and Obesity, 1995). When in the classroom setting her peers tease her quite often about being