Introduction
Childhood obesity has become an international problem since the past few decades. There are several children around the world who are being diagnosed with obesity at early stages in life (Whitman, Shah & Benjamins, 2010). Seeking various solutions to resolve this problem is one of the major areas of focus for many research studies that are being conducted in Europe, USA and other countries. Some past studies have supported the use of web-based programs since positive outcomes on the reduction of childhood obesity are easily attained with this method (Kachel, Henry & Keller, 2005).
The modern children are often referred to as Generation Z due to their increasing interest in technology. Some evidence suggests that obesity is directly linked to overuse of technology since the latter leads to decrease in physical activity level among the young generation. Resent systematic review that focused on the effectiveness of web-based technology to reduce childhood obesity provides us with evidence that appropriate web-based programs involving entire families have better results than programs that do not address these issues (Stephanidis, 2011).
This paper takes this information into consideration and applies the knowledge to develop an argument based on using culturally sensitive web-based programs to reduce childhood obesity in the Jewish community.
Background
Childhood obesity has developed into a major health challenge across the globe. It has become a serious threat to public health. It started drawing attention 60 years ago (Thompson, 2008). Currently, the number of victims who succumb to childhood obesity is on a steady increase. The table below shows the trends in childhood obesity based on a research conducted by Ogden, Carroll and Flegal (2008). From the table, it can be seen that the number of cases of childhood obesity has increased significantly.
Appreciating childhood obesity is still an issue of controversy across the world although it is the most important step that will enhance effective studies on the development of this medical problem. The studies will further suggest strategies to be used in preventing and eliminating childhood obesity. Several studies have shown that early diagnosis is vital in preventing the development of myriads of health risks that are associated with obesity (National Health Information, 2005). Some past studies have shown that the development of childhood obesity predisposes an individual to other diseases (Finkelstein et al., 2009). The most pronounced health risk associated with obesity is the cardiovascular disease. Moreover, early obesity also exposes an individual to heart related complications. The high levels of deaths witnessed among children and adults in the United States are associated with medical complications that emanate from obesity. Even though cardiovascular disease is often associated with old people, current statistics show that the levels of prevalence among young people are on the increase. The growing trend of obesity among young adults is associated with hormonal imbalances that result from lack of physical exercise, unhealthy nutrition, and accumulation of fats in and around blood vessels. All these factors are directly linked to obesity (Freedman et al., 1999).
Childhood obesity is thus a primary causative agent for most common diseases such as diabetes. Obesity is motivated by the consumption of large amounts of fatty foods that end up as fat deposits in the body. This increases the body weight above the expected BMI standards and consequently affects the health status of an individual. Furthermore, obesity increases the level of blood sugar. This may lead into the development of diabetes (Katz et al., 2005). The rise in the level of blood sugar is associated with lack of enough exercise that helps the body in breaking down the excess sugars.
Unbalanced diet, lack of self control, eating large amounts of sugary foods, poor nutritional knowledge by parents, environmental dysfunction, lack of enough sleep, cultural environment, parental disputes, medications, excessive use of computer, high costs of good foods, excessive use of fast foods, excessive TV watching, lack of exercise, and addiction to computer games are some of the major causes of obesity (O’Dea & Eriksen, 2010).
The socio-cultural and the socio-economic development in society affect the type and type of food that is consumed in any given community. The changes in the modern society have resulted into increased rural to urban migrations (Ogden et al., 2004). The knowledge of these people is very limited as far as food quality is concerned. The most effective way of handling obesity has also been elaborated in the following section. This paper intends to address the sporadic raise of obesity among children from Jewish communities and also evaluate the use of a web-based technology as a possible solution to the challenge.
Literature review
Online discussion groups can be organized for small groups on a weekly basis. These groups can also be given the task of researching for online articles that address obesity management. Email messages and direct online chats can be used by counseling nurses to offer advice to individuals who are already overweight. Bulletin boards and full time access to the internet are two major requirements in this technology supported obesity control system.
Prevalence
Most of the available evidences suggest that obesity is on the raise across the world. The same medical challenge also affects the Jewish community at large. About 25% of the Jewish population in the United States is obese (Nagel, 2008). In terms of the data collected by the National Center for Health Statistics, the numbers of obese people among the American population has doubled since the last 30 years. The percentage of obese children is even more alarming than it used to be some three decades ago. In comparison to the 1980s, the number of obese children has tripled. This is associated with the existing triggering factors that were discussed in the previous section.
Causes of obesity
Obese children are definitely overweight. This affects their spinal cord development since more pressure is exerted on the region around the spine (Taylor et al., 2006). Such children may develop spinal-related complications. Most diseases that are related to overweight are common in the current generation.
There are diverse causes of childhood obesity. However, the main cause is the current food culture and modern lifestyles (Lobstein & Dibb, 2005). The two factors contribute toward obesity in one way or another. Health specialists have distinguished quite a number of the key contributing factors to obesity among children.
The medical changes of obesity
The medical challenges of obesity are even made worse by the statistics that reveal that 75% of the obese children end up transferring this complication to their adulthood. This is completely against most Jewish parents’ belief that growing fat is part of a child’s development. The Jewish parents have minimum control of their children’s eating habits. The latter explains why instances of obesity are high among the Jewish children in the United States (O’Dea & Eriksen, 2010).
Childhood obesity has been a real subject of concern among several Jewish parents. However, the manner in which they manage the challenge has not been effective. Dieting is the most applied method of controlling obesity among many Jewish families (O’Dea & Eriksen, 2010). Studies that have been conducted on the effectiveness of this method have indicated that it is not an effective procedure of controlling obesity among children. Similar research studies have shown that dieting among children increases their chances of being obese (Dietz et al., 2007). Dieting makes most children and teenagers to gain additional weight. It also results into certain eating disorders that affect many teenagers in the United States.
Girls amongst the Jewish community are the most affected by eating disorders. This disorder is not restricted to the Jewish community in the US. About 2% of teenage girls in Israel suffer from severe eating disorders (Dietz et al., 2007).
This information proves that obesity is a major health problem among the Jewish children. The current management method that is being used in handling obesity is not effective.
Implications for school health
The prevalence level of obesity among the Jewish community is proving to be a major problem. This paper examined the possibility of managing this epidemic by applying a web-based technology as a possible solution. This strategy targets the use of internet in sensitizing parents, teenagers and children on the importance of avoiding obesity (Hayman et al., 2009). It will also offer amicable solutions to the large number of school going children who are already victims of this epidemic bearing in mind that their school health and academic performance are directly affected by obesity. This web-based approach will aim at educating the public on the approved methods of handling obesity.
Studies have shown that several children and teenagers in the United States have access to the internet (Leuf & Cunningham, 2001). Most of them use the internet a lot. Some of them are already addicted to the computer and internet programs. If this program is implemented, it will reach about 85 % of the teenagers and children who use the internet (Stephanidis, 2011). This figure will still increase since most of these children and teenagers share information found from online sources. The web-based program intends to develop several initiatives that target the promotion of healthy lifestyles. In particular, the school health of the already affected children will be improved if this approach is implemented fully. The program is expected to influence parents, teenagers, and children. The use of this program has proven to be a success in the implementation of several community-based programs that have reduced obesity among children (Stephanidis, 2011).
Poor school health will equally affect the academic performance of learners who are obese. This approach has been proposed due to its numerous positive outcomes in managing obesity among young people. Several studies that have been conducted in the past have revealed that this program is effective in combating obesity (Stephanidis, 2011). For instance, the approach is cost effective since access to the internet is relatively affordable. In addition, it has the ability of reaching out a large number of teenagers within a short duration.
In 2009, the United States Department of Health and Human Services indicated that the use of web-based programs have a lot of positive outcomes in combating obesity due to the long online durations spend by teenagers on computers (O’Dea & Eriksen, 2010). The use of the internet as a knowledge source is perceived as the most appropriate method of dealing with the epidemic. Since the inception of the web-based technologies, the level of awareness on obesity has increased among parents and children. This strategy has attracted several teenagers in the current society (Gruwell, 2007). Most daily activities that target the management of obesity are usually obtained from the web. This technology provides a more custom-made intervention to eliminate obesity among teenagers and school-going children (Richardson et al., 2005).
Therefore, the web-based approach is a well known method of dealing with childhood obesity. If the approach is applied properly, it will receive minimal instances of resistance because it has been effective for a long period (Gruwell, 2007).
Online leaning especially in physical education is indeed one of the most invaluable aspects of web-based interventions in weight control for both children and adults (National Association for Sport and Physical Education, 2007). This method is influential in curbing childhood obesity. This can be achieved through appropriate online activities such as games, readings, online assignments, examinations, chat rooms, and activity-based sessions (Pinto et al., 2002).
Since the Jewish people have a rich cultural heritage, the web-based programs should be designed in such a way that they embrace both the cultural and healthy lifestyles. This will help in preventing conflict with the traditional practices of the Jewish people (Richmond et al., 2006).
This technology should be designed in such a way that limited complications are realized when it is being used. Moreover, the web-based projects should be designed to accommodate both boys and girls (Graves, Ridgers & Stratton, 2008). The targeted group should be sensitized on the importance of adhering to the given procedures so that the maximum output is realized. On the same note, web-based technology is in a position of controlling childhood obesity among the Jewish community.
Studies conducted on the causes of these high levels of obesity among the Jewish community have revealed myriads of changes in the lifestyles of many individuals among the Jews (Institute of Medicine Committee on Prevention of Obesity in Children and Youth, 2004). Before the advent of the 20th century, the Jews were one of the most active segments of the population in the United States. They were associated with some of the outstanding structural developments that are found in the United States (Oblender, 2002). Most of the work done by modern people involves the use of the brain and machines. Human muscles are hardly strained in the current age (Nagel, 2008).
The increase in numbers of fast food outlets has a significant effect on the lifestyles of many Americans. Most people prefer these foods to cooking in their homes. Fast foods are also known said to be very addictive. A research carried out in the US revealed that most fast foods are rich in sugars and fats (Dietz et al., 2007). The sizes of the portions served are also very significant compared to the standard size advocated for a healthy eating habit.
The Jews are fun loving people. Therefore, they are characterized with a rich cultural heritage full of holidays and celebrations. During such functions, a lot of food is prepared. It is a taboo among the Jewish not to eat during such special occasions (Dietz et al., 2007). This has resulted into obesity among many children since the parents do not control their eating habits during such functions. Several studies have shown that a Jewish child is twice more susceptible to obesity than an average American child (O’Dea & Eriksen, 2010). Their culture encourages preparation of a lot of food and even eating them to completion. This has significantly amplified the challenges posed by obesity amongst the Jews. The types of food that are prepared during festive periods also enhance the accumulation of fats and increase in the overall body mass index.
Conclusions
The challenge posed by obesity among children in the Jewish community has proven to be serious. The percentage of the population suffering from obesity is growing at an alarming rate (Whitman, Shah & Benjamins, 2010). This growth has been attributed to the socio-cultural and the socio-economic practices of the Jewish people. Besides, the link between the culture of the Jewish community and the increased prevalence of obesity cannot be disputed. However, these cultural practices have been in existence for many centuries. Therefore, it complicates the issue and consequently permits further examination of the root causes of obesity among the Jewish community in the United States. The current food varieties and individual lifestyles are the obvious causes of obesity. Moreover, deskbound lifestyle has become a norm among several people. This has led to minimum movements. In any case, individuals prefer using an automobile to walking even for relatively short distances. As a result, fatty tissues are not burnt out at all. Eventually, this leads to increased body mass.
The arguments posed in this paper were specific to the Jewish in the United Sates people they record the highest levels of child obesity in this region. The discussions have provided evidence that support the arguments. For instance, the use of web-based approach in handling this medical challenge has been deeply explored. It is the best approach since it targets Generation Z. The latter is a generation that does almost everything online including ordering food. Finally, the diverse level of this approach is yet another reason why it was adopted by this study as the most effective method of managing childhood obesity (Tudor-Locke & Myers, 2001).
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