Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity has become a very serious issue within the last 30 years. It has lead to many health issues such as diabetes, cardiovascular issues, and respiratory problems. So many different disciplines have gotten involved in this topic because there are many factors that cause obesity. Nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle choices each effects obesity and it is important that the professionals in those disciplines have their viewpoint heard and understood. It can be difficult to blend the ideas that everyone wants to bring to the table though. This only shows that reversing childhood obesity will not be a quick fix; there are so many factors and each one needs to be addressed.

A multidimensional view of the predictors of childhood obesity is likely to produce a more accurate view of the factors that influence weight gain in children because it shows exactly how obesity impacts so many aspects of life. Not only are there biological factors causing obesity, but there are also factors in the community and in our culture. The 6 C's model allows researchers to organize the several factors that are causing childhood obesity and possibly make connections between community and cultural, for example.

Although the 6 C's model helps to organize all of the factors contributing to childhood obesity, it can be overwhelming for researchers because there really is not a starting point. Focusing on one aspect of the model may seem like a reasonable idea, but the 6 C's are all connected. If you look at one aspect, it is most likely tied to another factor in a different ring.

Physical activity in children is quickly decreasing due to many factors. 1- Cell: Parents that are physically inactive are predisposing their children to inactivity. 2- Child: Children are spending more time being sedentary by playing video games than playing activities such as basketball. 3- Clan: Children with inactive parents will live inactive lifestyles. 4- Community: Parents are more cautious with their children so they are not as willing to let their children roam the neighborhood and play at the park without supervision. 5- Country: Physical education is now only required in Illinois and there are still ways to get out of those classes. 6- Culture: It is socially acceptable for children to sit inside and play video games or sit on the computer now.

All of these issues can be reversed with the following solutions/suggestions. 1- Cell: In order to keep