Assignment 6: Public Health Topic (Obesity in Children)

For this assignment, please write in your blog, a description of the public health topic that you think you would like to address in your final paper. (Don't worry you can still refine/change your topic.) Please include the problem definition, a discussion of the relevance and importance of the topic, and why you find this an interesting or important topic to investigate. You may include a discussion of why it is a social relevant problem.

I would like to address the rise of obesity (BMI > 30) in American children (ages 0-12). The problem I would focus on is why pediatricians lack time and knowledge to effectively treat obesity in children. Obesity in children is rising and more important than obesity rates in other age groups because children who are obese are likely to stay obese, leading to more health problems and costs in the future. I find this interesting because though I've heard much about the rise of obesity in general, I haven't heard much about the rise of obesity in children. If the rates of obesity in children are rising, than the fact that I haven't heard of the issue specifically may be indicative of low awareness about the issue. If pediatricians lack time and knowledge to effectively treat obese children, then public awareness about the issue may also be low because of the same reason. With health care costs so high and the general health of America so low, public health officials should focus on early problems like childhood obesity that will affect people later on in life. Decreasing childhood obesity would not only result in healthier children but also prevent many costly and severe weight-related diseases later on.