Kristen Hamm
Scholarship #1
EXSC 9150 Fall 2022
AbstractÂ
Childhood obesity is a global epidemic, and understanding the causes and risk factors of childhood obesity is essential for decreasing children's risks. As early as pregnancy, evidence suggests that mothers can help decrease their child's risk of childhood obesity. This article aimed to examine the causes and risk factors of childhood obesity from conception to early childhood. Most of this review consisted of randomized control trials thus suggesting a possible causal relationship (Ardic et al., 2020; Asgharian et al, 2019; Barakat et al., 2019; Meyer et al., 2021; Perales et al., 2020; Staiano et al., 2018; Vahamiko et al., 2019; Zheng et al., 2015). The subjects in the intervention groups in these trials experienced consistently positive effects in the intervention groups decreasing the risk of childhood obesity. Results of the examined studies suggest that interventions during pregnancy can help reduce the risk of macrosomia, gestational diabetes, and excessive weight gain during pregnancy which are precursors to childhood obesity. Thus, interventions starting as early as pregnancy in mothers and infancy in children are essential to decrease the risk of childhood obesity. This review also provides interventions that can help decrease the risk of childhood obesity in early childhood.Â
Keywords:Â Childhood obesity, gestational diabetes mellitus, risk factors, sugar-sweetened beverages, probiotics, DNA methylation, unhealthy habits, breastfeeding, bottle-feeding, macrosomia, gestational weight gain
Scholarship #2
EXSC 9250 Spring 2023
Abstract
Background: Obesity is a national health problem affecting millions of children. It is well known that childhood obesity poses an increased risk for chronic diseases. Genetics play an important role in the development of childhood obesity; however, genes alone do not fully explain the increasing rates of childhood obesity. Efforts are being made to identify risk factors and potential evidence-based interventions to reduce its prevalence. However, effective interventions for early childhood are limited, and determining beneficial interventions is imperative to combat this epidemic. Aim: This literature review paper aims to examine the current evidence on the causes and risk factors of childhood obesity and its effectiveness in providing beneficial interventions for reducing the risks of childhood obesity in the school and home environment. Methods: A literature review was conducted from 2015 to 2022 across one data base. A total of 25 articles were included in the review. Results: All studies were published between 2015 and 2022. All studies provided essential information regarding childhood obesity prevention strategies. Studies identified effective interventions in the school and home environment. Conclusion: Efforts are being made to identify risk factors and potential evidence-based interventions to reduce its prevalence. The school and home environment provide many opportunities for developing and implementing childhood obesity prevention strategies. Interventions leading to environmental changes and strict dietary policies seem to be effective intervention strategies. Childhood obesity is a complex multifactorial disease and focusing on effective interventions in both the school and home environment is essential to combat the disease.
Scholarship #3
EXSC 9500 Summer 2023
Abstract
Childhood obesity continues to be on the rise. Diet and physical activity are primary tools to help combat obesity. However, the prevalence of childhood obesity remains high. Childhood obesity prevalence seems to decrease among children and adolescents as income levels increase. These trends imply certain contributing factors are at play. Many studies have explored these of barriers that children of low socioeconomic status may face. The problem is that children of low socioeconomic status do not have the resources to avoid these barriers to practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors. Therefore, this article will provide an overview of these barriers that children from low socioeconomic status may face practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors and suggestions from the literature. This review paper aims to examine barriers of children facing low socioeconomic statuses to practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors and suggestions from the literature. This is a review article. 7 articles were included in the review. All studies were published between 2013 and 2022. All studies provided essential information regarding childhood obesity prevention strategies and insights into barriers of low socioeconomic status children. Studies identified barriers and suggestions to reduce the risk of childhood obesity. Children of low socioeconomic status may face many barriers to practicing healthy lifestyle behaviors. These children may not have the resources to avoid these barriers to practice healthy lifestyle behaviors. In these communities providing more resources may help improve neighborhood safety concerns, provide more access to parks, organized sports, and access to affordable healthy foods. This will likely help decrease their risk of childhood obesity.
Key words: Childhood obesity, low socioeconomic status, barriers, healthy behaviors, parks