Running head: HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Healthy Condition Requires Healthy Lifestyle

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HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Healthy Condition Requires Healthy Lifestyle

Obesity refers to the condition of an individual who has excess body fats and the serious
health risks associated with it (ODea & Eriksen, 2010). This health condition is not new to the
public. In fact, obese people are all around our communities they are inside the air-conditioned
cars, they are sitting on nice and soft couches in the office, they are taking the elevators, and they
are eating tons of food in fast-food restaurants. It is no wonder why many fitness gyms are
established around the cities, and many physical trainers are called up for help. Surprisingly,
obesity is not existent merely for adult individuals. Obesity, along with its adverse effects, also
manifests itself among children and youth nowadays. The World Health Organization asserts that
childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st Century
(World Health Organization, n.d.). Obesity is not only degrading the outward physical
appearance of people, but goes deep within the bodies of a person. It has serious health risks.
Worse than this, obese children are more likely to stay in that condition until their adult years
unless they commit to observe healthy lifestyle.
Research study affirms that childhood obesity is associated with carbonated drinks.
Carbonated drinks contain a high glycemic index, and are, therefore, energy dense. Children who
regularly consume carbonated drinks gain 10% more energy than non-consumers (James,
Thomas, Cavan, & Kerr, 2004). This energy imbalance is one reason for excessive weight gain
(2004). Since more people in urban societies consume such drinks than those who do not, this
becomes a good treatment measure. A controlled trial was conducted with 644 children under the
7-to-11 age group, and concluded that the targeted, school-based program was able to produce
significant reduction in the consumption of carbonated drinks, which was associated with a
reduced number of overweight and obese children (2004, p. 1).

HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Literature also discusses the relationship between breastfeeding and obesity. Arenz,
Ruckerl, Koletzko, and Kries (2004) conducted a systematic review, wherein nine studies with
more than 69,000 participants were used for the analysis. It is necessary for such meta-analysis
to have randomized, controlled trials for breastfeeding on an individual level (2004). However,
since it didnt seem ethical for them to [directly] intervene with nursing mothers individually,
interventions were performed in hospital level and through cohort, cross-sectional, and casecontrol studies (2004). The result of this meta-analysis shows that breastfeeding is associated
with small yet consistent protective effect against obesity risk in later childhood (2004, p.
1254). As for the entire review, the researchers concluded that breastfeeding significantly
reduces the risk of obesity (2004).
Another research study focused on the association of obesity with the childs physical
activity. One study suggests that excessive television watching and video game playing were
identified as a stimulus for excessive eating and sedentary behavior (Tremblay & Willms,
2003, p. 1100). In asking parents about their childrens activity, certain data were required, such
as: how often the child has taken part in organized or unorganized sports in school; how often the
child was involved in non-sport activities (i.e. music, dance, art); how often the child has taken
part in clubs and community organizations like Scout programs; and how often the child played
computer or video games. The analyses also included a measure of socioeconomic status (SES),
which comprises the parents educational attainment, the parents occupation, and the family
income (2003). Some of the data indicated that watching TV for either less than 2 hours a day or
more than 3 days a day is strongly related to family background. In contrast, playing video
games and watching TV between 2 to 3 hours a day are less associated with family background.
Thus, SES, family structure, child activity and inactivity are overlapping factors (2003).

HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Nevertheless, the result at the end of the study clearly shows something. Just between 1986 and
1996, the number of households with home computers tripled, while the number of households
with two or more color TVs was more than doubled. Indeed, the physical and social environment
of children in the later generation widely differs from the previous ones, and is conducive to a
reduction in [childrens] energy expenditure (2003, p. 1104).
Another study (Dehghan, Danesh & Merchant, 2005) discusses the causes of and
prevention of obesity. Certain behavioral and social factors were taken into consideration. For
instance, the food lifestyle of people changed drastically over the decades. As the authors
asserted, The concept of food has changed from a means of nourishment to a marker of
lifestyle and source of pleasure (2005, p. 3). No matter how people increase in physical activity
(i.e. physical exercises), it is still not enough to counteract an energy rich, poorly nutritive diet,
which people easily afford in fast food restaurants and supermarkets (2005). Weight loss in the
adult years is difficult, and since there are a more ways of interventions for children, it would be
more sensible to initiate prevention and treatment of obesity during childhood (2005, p. 4).
Some preventive measures will be discussed further in the succeeding paragraphs.
Given the information mentioned above, prevention and treatment of obesity is indeed
possible. Certain actions should be carried out. First, there should be an adequate supply of good
prenatal nutrition and health care (Deckelbaum & Williams, 2001) for every mother. This
ensures that the mothers milk is healthy and without defect, allowing the child to receive proper
nutrition. Information on the wellness of breastfeeding and other good health care advices should
be given to the public. Second, physical activities should be widely promoted in schools, public
places, and even at home. It is advisable to establish public built-in environments, including
walking and cycling networks, open space/parks, and other recreation facilities. It is also good to

HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

provide sports programs for children like public sports clinics and leagues. Third, healthy food
lifestyle should be observed in the public. Joint efforts from local government authorities and
health specialists are necessary for this. Since fast-food and other less-nutritional foods are
mostly cheaper, an additional tax could be imposed on them. It would be reasonable to do so
since these kinds of food bring health risks such as obesity to people. Also, advertisements
on these kinds of food should be either fully prohibited or limited. Further, additional labeling of
foods could be a good solution in order for people to distinguish nutritional and healthy food
from those that are not.
The dietary and physical behavior of children is influenced by various sectors of society,
including families, government agencies, medical care providers, the media, and the fast-food
industries (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2013). Nevertheless, since a healthy
lifestyle can prevent obesity in individuals (both children and adults), health care advisors and
providers should encourage people to adopt the proper lifestyle, instead of becoming advocates
of less nutritional products (e.g. fast food or processed foods) and practices (e.g. formulated
cows milk instead of mothers milk). Healthy conditions always require healthy lifestyle.

HEALTHY CONDITION REQUIRES HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

References
Arenz, S., Ruckerl, R., Koletzko, B. & Kries, R. (2004). Breast-feeding and childhood obesity
A systematic review. International Journal of Obesity, 28, 1247-1256.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2013). Childhood obesity facts. Retrieved from
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/obesity/facts.htm
Deckelbaum, R. & Williams, C. (2001). Childhood obesity: The health issue. Obesity Research,
9, 239S-243S.
Dehghan, M., Danesh, N. & Merchant, A. (2005). Childhood obesity, prevalence and prevention.
Nutritional Journal, 4(24). Retrieved from http://www.nutritionj.com/content/pdf/14752891-4-24.pdf
James, J., Thomas, P., Cavan, D. & Kerr, D. (2004). Preventing childhood obesity by reducing
consumption of carbonated drinks: Cluster randomised controlled trial. BMJ, 328. Doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.38077.458438.EE
ODea, J. & Eriksen, M. (2010). Childhood obesity prevention: International research,
controversies, and interventions. New York: Oxford University Press.
Tremblay, M. & Willms, J. (2003). Is the Canadian childhood obesity epidemic related to
physical inactivity? International Journal of Obesity, 27, 1100-1105.
World Health Organization (n.d.). Childhood overweight and obesity. Retrieved from
http://www.who.int/dietphysicalactivity/childhood/en/