Public Health Proposal Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 3000 words

Public Health Proposal - Essay Example For each age group, obesity poses different health problems related to specific age, routine, dietary habits and genetic makeup of the individuals (Reilly 2005). Here, obesity in children (age 0-12) will be focused and discussed in detail. It is reported that the epidemics of childhood obesity appeared in the UK in the late 1980s. In different parts of the world, the problem of childhood obesity is getting worse. Lobstein, Baur and Uauy (2004) asserted that ten percent of the school going children in the world are estimated to contain excessive body fat. Among these overweight children 25 percent are declared as obese with a considerable prospect of developing cardiac diseases, type II diabetes and various other health problems in early adulthood. The prevalence of childhood obesity is considered much higher in economically developed and established countries like the UK (Lobstein, Baur and Uauy 2004). The social impact of childhood obesity on children is also very dominant. A study conducted by Cornell University reported that obese children show lack of social skills than the normal weight children. The social exclusion of obese children provokes several personality issues like low self-esteem, isolation and lack of confidence. Researches also show that obese children are easily targeted for bullying by their peers. Due to several social issues faced by obese children their performance at school is also impacted. Low esteem, feeling of hopelessness and self-pity is usually accompanied by low performance at school and social exclusion that creates frustration and depression in children. Due to depression children become isolated, withdraw activities they used to like and lack interest in socialization and studies. The consequences of such symptoms could be disastrous in young and adult age on an individual’s personality. Parents and teachers should understand all these soc ial impacts and must help obese children to fight their obesity and