The Problem Selected
The selected problem is childhood obesity, the rates of which increase nationwide yearly and require the attention of the government, society, and parents. Indeed, 19.7% (14.7 million) of children and adolescents in the USA suffered from the issue in 2017-2020 (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2022). Although nutrition is built in each family differently, such aspects as regular physical activity at schools may help prevent childhood obesity.
Previous Knowledge on the Problem
I am already familiar with the main causes of childhood obesity: poor dietary habits, the prevalence of junk products in daily nutrition, lack of physical activity, and using food as a coping mechanism in stressful situations. Chronic diseases, genetic predominance, and obese parents also put a child at risk; however, proper lifestyle choices might decrease the chances of having excess weight. Also, I know that obesity causes physical and mental deviations, which are difficult to treat if consolidated in childhood.
Possible Solutions to Propose
The feasible solution I identified after exploring how and why children develop obesity is regular physical activity at schools. Furthermore, I studied that high-intensity interval training (HIIT) programs positively impact young individuals’ health as they reduce body fat percentage and improve metabolism (Duncombe et al., 2022). While school is where physical activity might be taught and performed on demand, the home should also have an environment that encourages and supports sports.
Sources of Knowledge on the Problem
I might learn more by conversing with parents of obese children, physicians, and nutritionists focused on childhood obesity. Personal experience might be to spend time with a person with excessive weight to observe their habits and discuss how they perceive their conditions and if they find physical activity important.
Previous Knowledge of the Audience on the Problem
My audience is the parents of obese children and school teachers; thus, they might know what caused problems with nutrition that led to obesity. Also, they are aware of approaches to influence young individuals’ decision-making and how the latter perceive physical activity. Parents also can trace their children’s coping mechanisms and identify stress factors that cause overeating.
The Audience’s Point of View
Parents might lack the motivation to address the problem and think it is caused by genetic deviations or claim that children will eventually outgrow that stage and normalize their weight. School teachers may believe that a family is responsible for childhood obesity; therefore, only relatives may influence the conditions.
Questions About the Problem and Possible Solutions
I need to learn more about the behavioral aspect of overeating and if these coping mechanisms may be replaced with less harmful practices. The questions should address the specific solution to physical activity to help me gather additional information about obesity treatment related to regular sports (Roen et al., 2022). For example, I would ask how obese children perceive physical activity or what are the minimum requirements for an efficient training load to prevent and address the disease.
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Childhood obesity facts.
Duncombe, S. L., Barker, A. R., Bond, B., Earle, R., Varley-Campbell, J., Vlachopoulos, D., Walker, J. L., Weston, K. L., & Stylianou, M. (2022). School-based high-intensity interval training programs in children and adolescents: A systematic review and meta-analysis. PloS ONE, 17(5), e0266427.
Roen, D., Maid, B., & Rankins-Robertson, S. (2022). The McGraw-Hill guide (TMHG): Writing for college, writing for life (5th ed.). McGraw-Hill.