Core Competency: Roles and Responsibility

Before this lecture, my pre-existing beliefs surrounding childhood obesity were that obese and deconditioned children suffer primarily physical effects, such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma). However, this lecture brought my attention to the impact obesity has on a young child’s mental and emotional well-being, which can begin at very young ages. In the lecture, we learned negative weight stereotypes often begin as early as pre-school age and can be stigmatizing throughout a child’s lifetime. Childhood obesity can cause isolation because obese children often withdraw from making friends and joining social and sports activities. Consequently, these children are more susceptible to depression, anxiety, lower self-esteem, poor body image, and weight-related victimization from bullying can make matters worse. Thus, as nurses, it is crucial that we address childhood obesity when providing treatment to children and their parents to help implement preventative interventions so that obese children can live healthier and happier lives that will continue to adulthood. Thus, I will be addressing the roles and responsibilities of the nurse in regards to childhood obesity.

Overall, many factors contribute to childhood obesity, some of which I was unaware of before attending this presentation and some I have learned throughout the lecture. For instance, stigmas and biases surrounding childhood obesity include the assumption that childhood obesity stems from poor diet and low levels of physical activity. It is easy to assume that lack of exercise, and poor diet is the primary roles in obesity; however, those two factors are not always the leading contributors to childhood obesity. Several other factors are associated with the increased risk of childhood obesity, such as genetics, race, socioeconomic factors, and family influences. Thus, multiple disparities play a huge role in contributing to and preventing childhood obesity.

Regarding socioeconomic factors, good health is often unattainable. Medications and healthy foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and lean proteins, are expensive. The lack of access to these healthy foods can majorly contribute to childhood obesity. Processed and fast foods are more affordable and easier to attain, but they are loaded with saturated fat, sugar, and carbohydrates. Diets high in processed foods are known to lead to obesity. Also, the cost of health insurance can be high, making it difficult for some families to purchase it, and if they do have it, some insurances do not cover certain medications. So if parents cannot afford the necessary medications, children suffering from health issues may go untreated. Wellness is essential to good health, so a lack of good healthcare too can contribute to childhood obesity. In addition, low-income families often live in disadvantaged neighborhoods where healthy foods are hard to find. Instead of full-service supermarkets in some communities, fast-food chains and convenience stores often provide cheap, high-fat foods. This is detrimental to good health, and those providing such foods gear their marketing to such communities and help contribute to children’s weight issues. Families often cannot afford healthy food, and food insecurity concerns many communities. Schools and governments try to assist, but the lack of access to healthy foods is a massive problem for lower socioeconomic communities. Stress and emotional issues are also vital factors associated with increased weight gain and metabolic issues. Children in insecure neighborhoods or unstable homes often deal with increased stress, fear, and anxiety, leading to emotional eating and obesity. Furthermore, some forms of childhood obesity may be inherited due to changes in a single gene, such as a commonly implicated gene known as the MC4R.

Additionally, the lecture focused on many barriers to treating childhood obesity, which deepened my awareness and understanding of childhood obesity, and how I can apply this in my future nursing practice. Thus, as a nurse, I will ensure that I consider and address the barriers discussed in the lecture. In addition, I will work to raise awareness and implement interventions to help lessen childhood obesity and related stigmas. Some strategies for managing/resolving health and healthcare disparities that may affect affected populations that I will implement will include recommending healthy food choices. I will also help find resources that can be accessed to attain healthy foods for a well-rounded, balanced diet. Also, I will promote physical activity and make suggestions for exercise routines and how to make simple lifestyle changes to increase activity. I will facilitate family involvement, which can help promote wellness, benefit the entire household, and promote changing behaviors associated with positive eating habits and increased physical activity. I will make every effort to try to recognize if lower-income families are struggling to assist them better in combatting food insecurities and to help them access pertinent medication when in need. Finally, I will be committed to helping overcome healthcare disparities. My goal as a nurse is to be understanding, aware, and committed to wellness so that all children have the best advantage for healthy, stable, and thriving lives.