The findings made in a community assessment report in New Albany, Mississippi, paint a very grim picture of the situation public health in the region. According to the report, it is apparent that the problem of obesity and associated chronic illnesses is predominant in the community. The preceding community survey indicates that a large number of the community members exhibit unhealthy body weights. The unhealthy body weights increase their risk to other serious conditions, such as cardiac arrests and diabetes. It is reported that the community hospital receives patients on a daily basis. The patients are seeking medical assistance as a result of obesity and other related disorders and conditions. The conditions range from high blood pressure, high cholesterol levels, diabetes, and pulmonary disorders. The conditions are prevalent in the community and they are on the rise. The prevalence of the conditions is despite the fact that there are health facilities in the community. The health facilities are well equipped and have the capacity to handle such situations.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has made efforts to define obesity in the context of public health. The organization defines the condition as a disorder characterized by excess body fats. The condition is widely associated with increased risk or susceptibility to diseases (Frank & Wien, 2010). In addition to the definition provided by WHO, there is another conceptualization of the condition, which is more technical. The definition conceptualizes the condition in terms of Body Mass Index (BMI). A person with a BMI of 30 or above is considered as obese (Kirby, Liang, Chen & Wang, 2012). Body Mass Index is computed using the weight and height of the person. It is defined as body weight in kilograms divided by square of height in meters (Kirby et al., 2012).
It is a fact that this interventional program focuses on New Albany City community. However, it is important to note that the problem of obesity among the US population is becoming a major health issue in the country. Kirby et al. (2012) assert that the prevalence of obesity and other related chronic illnesses in the last few decades is one of the major health problems in the US. The issue of obesity as a major health problem is made worse by its prevalence among children. It is also made worse by the associated costs incurred by the society. According to Zhu and Thoms (2013), the prevalence of obesity among children in the country has doubled in the past two decades. The problem is especially prevalent among children aged between 6 to 11 years. Within the same period, the prevalence of the condition has tripled among the adolescents [those aged between 12 and 19 years] (Zhu & Thoms, 2013). Kline (2009) further indicates that 17% of children aged between 2 and 19 years in the country are overweight. The situation makes the problem a national epidemic.
From the discourse above, it is apparent that obesity is a critical health issue in the US. The situation is critical not only amongst the adult population, but also among children. It goes against the Healthy People 2020’s national goals and objectives. To meet these goals and objectives, the government and other stakeholders must come up with relevant and effective interventional programs in the country.
Causes of Pediatric Obesity
To develop effective interventional programs, it is important to identify the causes of the problem. The causes of obesity are complicated. They include various individual and environmental factors. Some studies have determined behavioral influences, for instance, lack of physical activity and dietary changes, to be among the top causes of the condition (Zhu & Thoms, 2013).
Pediatric obesity is caused by a number of factors. Excessive intake of food, lack of exercises in schools, consumption of high-sugar soft drinks, and intake of trans-oils are some of the factors leading to the onset of the condition. Another factor includes unhealthy television viewing (Kline, 2009; Zhu & Thoms, 2013). The factors are not limited to incidences of obesity among pediatrics in the country. On the contrary, they are some of the major contributors of incidences of obesity in New Albany, Mississippi. In addition to genetic factors, pediatric obesity is associated with environmental dynamics. Low-birth-weight among infants increases their susceptibility to obesity. Another factor that leads to pediatric obesity is prenatal over-nutrition (Kline, 2009).
Interventional Strategy for Pediatric Obesity in New Albany, Mississippi
Overview
There are various strategies that can be used to address obesity, and especially pediatric obesity, in the society. Some of the strategies include advocating for the adoption of more active lifestyles and embracing physical exercises. The government and other stakeholders may also encourage people to eat balanced diets. The government may also formulate policies banning the production and distribution of substances causing obesity. Such substances include processed food that contains trans-oils among others.
The intervention program for New Albany City, Mississippi, will be multidimensional. Multidimensional approach implies that the program will incorporate a number of methods used in addressing pediatric obesity as mentioned above. Addressing pediatric obesity health issues in New Albany will be a responsibility of the entire society. Parents, teachers, medical practitioners and other stakeholders will be involved. All the community resources will in one way or another play a role towards realization of the program’s objectives.
Responsibilities of Program Stakeholders
The costs of pediatric obesity affect every member of the New Albany community. The effects are felt either directly or indirectly. As such, implementation of the program will require the input of each and every member of the society. In addition, addressing pediatric obesity will ensure a healthy future community. The obese children, who are the chief stakeholders, will require encouragement. A lot of attention should be paid to them to encourage their cooperation. Most of them will provide those implementing the program the much needed information. As such, their cooperation should be sought through friendly means.
The local authority will provide free access to the community social sporting amenities, such as gyms and biking tracks. The facilities are in good condition. Sporting events should be incorporate into social functions, including celebration of national holidays. Parents and guardians are some of the stakeholders that will play the most important role in the intervention program. School authorities will also play an important role in implementing the program. The two parties have the greatest influence on children. As a result, the success of the program relies on their combined effort.
Children spend most of their time in school. As a result, educational programs touching on the importance of physical exercises and healthy feeding habits should feature in school curriculums. Children should be able to incorporate these practices into their lifestyle with a lot of ease. The medical facilities and personnel should provide consistent advice on healthy living and feeding habits. All patients attending hospital should undergo BMI and other tests for chronic illnesses and advised appropriately. Parents, especially pregnant women and mothers, will be subject to intensive guidance and counseling. Anthropometric tests will also be administered on willing patients.
Campaigns will be conducted throughout the community using mass communication media. The campaigns will mobilize people to embrace responsible and healthy living patterns. Such campaigns will be funded by relevant government regimes, donors, and other well-wishers. However, community based interventions should raise most of the campaign funds. Biking contests, social walks, and football contests will be used to raise funds for the campaign. The contests will encourage people to embrace the culture of physical activity, improving their health.
Relevant local authority bodies should regulate the food industry, including restaurants and grocery stores. Mandatory nutritional standards will guide all food producers in the community.
Goals of the Intervention Program
The program is in line with the Healthy People 2020 goals and objectives (HealthyPeople.gov, 2013). The following are the objectives of the program:
- Elimination of food substances and additives causing obesity from the community diet.
- Incorporation of more physical activities in schools and community programs.
- Ultimate elimination or reduction of pediatric obesity and associated health conditions from the community.
- Development of pediatric obesity monitoring unit in the local hospital for constant surveillance of obesity and associated health conditions in the society.
- Improved understanding and appreciation of a healthier community. The objective will be achieved through the initiative of community members.
Proposed Timeline and Evaluation of Outcomes
The first phase of the proposed intervention program will take three years to complete. After the first three years, evaluation of outcomes and control measures will follow. Consequently, incorporation of the program into community social activities will ensure continued effectiveness of outcomes. Although the program will take between three and five years for total completion, a progress analysis will be conducted every year. The reviews will provide actual data on the progress of the initiative.
According to Frank and Wien (2010), monitoring and evaluating weight loss management programs is not an instant undertaking. The project is spread over a long duration to create time for the realization of individual activities. Various outcome evaluation methods will ascertain the success of the program. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC] (2013), evaluation of obesity programs is closely linked with those related to nutrition and physical activity programs.
The New Albany intervention program is multiple dimensional in nature. The key features are healthy eating, healthy living habits, and physical activity. A number of evaluation methods will provide progress data. At the start of the program, records of pediatric obesity will be documented. Records of children with obesity will be documented and monitored over the duration of the program to provide a historical medical analysis of patients. The records will provide a very effective tool for program evaluation.
Reduced cases of pediatric obesity and positive changes among the initially obese candidates will indicate the effectiveness of the program. Such results will provide firsthand information regarding the improvement or deterioration of patient’s health. Community and stakeholder surveys throughout the program and after its completion will provide a comprehensive outlook on the outcomes. According to Mattessich (2009), this survey would determine how stakeholders perceive their participation and the achievements of the program.
The survey would also determine the level of goal attainment as stipulated in the objectives of the program. The survey will answer such questions as whether people in New Albany are adopting healthier lifestyles or not. In addition, level of physical activities would be determined. Changes in feeding habits and awareness of obesity and related illnesses are other indicators that will be used.
Control Measures
It is not easy to influence people’s lives. It is difficult to convince people to abandon comfortable lifestyles and embrace what they may deem as uncomfortable. Considering the magnitude of the issue at hand, control measures are essential in case the program fails in Albany. To avert failure, implementation and progress of the program will need regular monitoring and reviewing. Weaknesses will be identified and necessary adjustment to the plan made on time.
Mobilization of resources will require a lot of articulation. Residents who are new to the Albany community need to be convinced to ensure every member of the society is catered for. The initiative should not be left to the patients only. It should not be left to those directly affected by the condition, such as parents.
Obesity among adolescents and children has significant effects on the society and on the patient. The weight management strategies proposed in the program will require to be implemented fully to avert physical and mental complications.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2013). Obesity prevention and control. Web.
Frank, B., & Wien, M. (2010). Childhood obesity and adulthood morbidities. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 23, 14995-15055.
HealthyPeople.gov. (2013). Early and middle childhood. Web.
Kirby, J. B., Liang, L., Chen, H. J., & Wang, Y. (2012). Race, place, and obesity: The complex relationships among community racial/ethnic composition, individual race/ethnicity, and obesity in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 102(8), 1572-1578.
Kline, A. M. (2009). Pediatric obesity in acute and critical care. Advanced Critical Care, 19(1), 38-46.
Mattessich, P.W. (2009). Evaluation of state nutrition, physical activity, and obesity plans. Web.
Zhu, L., & Thoms, B. (2013). School-based obesity policy, social capital, and gender differences in weight control behaviors. American Journal of Public Health, 103(6), 1067-1073.