HCM 320 milestone two
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Southern New Hampshire University *
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1040
Subject
Health Science
Date
Jun 11, 2024
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docx
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3
Uploaded by DeanBee4377
Obesity has been an extremely complex disease that involves having an extreme amount of body fat. Although this condition appears to be obvious and quite concerning on the outside, the medical concerns that are and can be associated with are even more of a concern. Heart disease, diabetes, elevated blood pressure and different types of cancers are some serious health issues that can all be connected to obesity. Obesity is typically an issue with adults but has been a
growing issue of concern with children. This health issue is often controversial because a fine line must be walked when discussing children, especially when it comes to their physical and mental abilities. It is extremely important to correctly discuss these concerns abut child obesity and be sure that the focus of the conversation is on being healthy and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. There are multiple economic principles and indicators that come into play when it comes to obesity in children. Some of the contributing factors are income, technology, food prices and agricultural policies. Food plays a major role and is mostly the main role when it comes to childhood obesity. Food costs for “healthier” foods have been continuously rising while the food costs for processed and sugary foods have become much more affordable. Hence why it is easier to shop for unhealthy foods instead of healthy foods. Most average incomes cannot afford to spend the extra money towards a healthier diet for a family with children. Another main factor is the amount of food and how the fast processed foods are made and
packaged. Meat, fruits, and vegetables have limited time available on the shelves for sale and do not have large quantities in store, so they are higher priced. Income plays such a huge role in childhood obesity considering the healthier foods thar have better ingredients are typically higher
in price. Fast food and processed foods are higher in fat and sugar and can be made in larger
quantities so they can be lower priced and more affordable. With this being said, even if lower income families want to give their children healthier options, they don’t have the means to do so.
The economic impact of obesity in children is becoming a burden considering obesity tends to start in children and carry on into their adult lives. The Global Health Institute suggests that childhood obesity comes with a price tag that reads nineteen thousand dollars per child when
comparing the cost of medial care of that child to the cost of medical care to a child who is within a normal weight range. There is a higher healthcare cost because of the more frequent healthcare visits due to diseases and illnesses being more common amongst obese children. The price of medications also needs to be taken into consideration as these can become crucial for survival. The price tag or obesity in children is detrimental as it is an economic burden. With the word evolving each and every day, toxic environments have come about making
it more difficult to maintain a healthy weight. When considering the socioeconomic factors of obesity in children, access to healthcare, location, race, and financial status all come to mind and are top contributors. There are multiple healthcare organizations that are trying to find a solution to obesity in children. One organization, Childhood Obesity Research Demonstrations, funds communities in different states that helped show a reduced BMI in children. They have now shifted their focus on managing weight to help on the nutrition side of obesity and also supporting the importance of physical activity in children that are struggling with obesity. This is just one program, but the CDC has various programs for lower income communities as well.
Sources Economic costs of obesity. (n.d.). Healthy Communities for a Healthy Future | National League of Cities Institute for Youth, Education & Families. https://www.healthycommunitieshealthyfuture.org/learn-the-facts/economic-costs-of-obesity/
Obesity - Symptoms and causes. (2020, February 15). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20375742
The economics of childhood obesity. (2017, August 2). Health Affairs. https://www.healthaffairs.org/doi/full/10.1377/hlthaff.2009.0721
Why early prevention of childhood obesity is more than a medical concern: A health economic approach. (n.d.). Karger Publishers. https://www.karger.com/Article/Fulltext/456554
(n.d.). Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/obesity/downloads/data/DNPAO-HealthCare-Infographic-201902-508.pdf
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