Adolescent Health IssuesAdolescent Health Issues- Nutrition, Diet and Obesity -- Nutrition, Diet and Obesity -

Kevin Bauer, Tony Foster, Justin Hames, and David PhillipsKevin Bauer, Tony Foster, Justin Hames, and David Phillips

Overview: Turning PointsOverview: Turning Points

• “Obesity has doubled among children and adolescents over the past 30 years, children and adolescents eat far more fat and far fewer fruits and vegetables than are recommended, and harmful weight loss practices such as vomiting or taking diet pills have been reported among girls as young as nine” (Jackson, 182).

OverviewOverview

• Until recently, childhood obesity was so rare that no one tracked it closely. Body mass index (BMI), the height-to-weight ratio used to measure adult heft, seemed irrelevant to people whose bodies are still growing. But that mind-set is changing.

OverviewOverview

Contributing to poor adolescent health:Contributing to poor adolescent health:• Demise of home cooking• Rise of fast food• Video games• Empty calories from snacks and pop• Cut back on p.e. and outdoor play• Internet

OverviewOverview

• There are now 6 million American children fat enough to endanger their health, and 5 million more are close to joining them

• Children today are 30 percent more likely to be overweight than in the early 1990’s

• Diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, and many cancers kill 500,000, costing $11 billion in medical expenses.

OverviewOverview• Obesity most commonly begins in childhood

between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80 percent chance of becoming an obese adult.

• When both parents are obese, the children have an 80 percent chance of being obese. Although certain medical disorders can cause obesity, less than 1 percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems.

OverviewOverview

Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:Obesity in childhood and adolescence can be related to:– poor eating habits– overeating or binging– lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids)– family history of obesity– medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems)– medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications)– stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce,

moves, deaths, abuse)– family and peer problems– low self-esteem– depression or other emotional problems

OverviewOverview

• Child and adolescent obesity is also Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with the risk of emotional associated with the risk of emotional problems such as:problems such as:– Depression– Anxiety– Obsessive Compulsive Disorder

OverviewOverviewWays to manage obesity in children and adolescents include:Ways to manage obesity in children and adolescents include:• start a weight-management program• change eating habits (eat slowly, develop a routine)• plan meals and make better food selections (eat less fatty foods,

avoid junk and fast foods)• control portions and consume less calories• increase physical activity (especially walking) and have a more

active lifestyle• know what your child eats at school• eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the

computer• do not use food as a reward• limit snacking• attend a support group (e.g., Overeaters Anonymous)

OverviewOverview10 Best School-Based StrategiesThe CDC reviewed the research and identified these 10 Best School-Based StrategiesThe CDC reviewed the research and identified these school-based strategies as "most likely to improve key health behaviors" among school-based strategies as "most likely to improve key health behaviors" among young people:young people:•Address physical activity and nutrition through a coordinated school health program.Address physical activity and nutrition through a coordinated school health program.•Designate a school health coordinator and maintain an active school health council.Designate a school health coordinator and maintain an active school health council.•Assess the school's health policies and programs and develop a plan for Assess the school's health policies and programs and develop a plan for improvements.improvements.•Strengthen the school's nutrition and physical activity policies.Strengthen the school's nutrition and physical activity policies.•Implement a high-quality health promotion program for school staff.Implement a high-quality health promotion program for school staff.•Implement a high-quality course of study in health education.Implement a high-quality course of study in health education.•Implement a high-quality course of study in physical education.Implement a high-quality course of study in physical education.•Increase opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.Increase opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.•Implement a quality school meals program.Implement a quality school meals program.•Ensure that students have appealing, healthy choices in foods and beverages offered Ensure that students have appealing, healthy choices in foods and beverages offered outside of the school meals program.outside of the school meals program.

• “Without community partners, schools cannot play an active role in ensuring students’ good health and fitness to improve academic performance” (Jackson, 169).

Community Involvement & Community Involvement & Adolescent Health: Turning PointsAdolescent Health: Turning Points

Community Involvement & Community Involvement & Adolescent HealthAdolescent Health

What about the “not so obvious” health conditions?What about the “not so obvious” health conditions?•Latest trend: Doctors are finding serious health issues in students who otherwise appear to be in top physical shape.

– Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy – Long Q T syndrom– Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome

•Sudden cardiac death is responsible for more than 30 deaths of young adults each week in the United States.Taking action…Taking action…•Installing defibrillators in schools•Teachers being trained to perform CPR•Screening students with an EKG

Community Involvement & Community Involvement & Adolescent HealthAdolescent Health

Midwest Community Heart FoundationMidwest Community Heart Foundation•Affiliated with Edward Hospital in Naperville, IL•Young Hearts for Life Program

– Involved the screening of all high school students in the Dupage County school district

– Painless, 4-minute EKG’s are performed on site

– More than 370 students were identified as needing further evaluation by their own doctors.

•Currently, MCHF is working on the proper technology needed to perform screenings on Middle School students.

VideoVideo

• A Healthy School LunchA Healthy School Lunch• http://www.edutopia.org/school-lunch-nutriti

on-berkeley-video

• “The range of potential advisory topics is vast, from interpersonal issues to health-related questions or concerns about schoolwork” (Jackson, 143).

Using Advisory to Address Health: Using Advisory to Address Health: Turning PointsTurning Points

Using Advisory to Address HealthUsing Advisory to Address Health

Why use advisory?Why use advisory?• It is student centered.• It can be an effective tool.• There is a need for more health education.• It can be fun and non-threatening.

How can I make it effective?How can I make it effective?• Create strong teacher-student and student-student bonds.• Establish sense of belonging with team-building activities.• Involve students and parents.

• “…every adult in the school community has the responsibility to do whatever it takes to stimulate high-level learning in each and every student - compel middle grades educators to be involved actively in preventing or ameliorating health-related problems and promoting healthful lifestyles among their students” (Jackson, 169).

Role of the Teacher: Turning Role of the Teacher: Turning PointsPoints

Role of the TeacherRole of the Teacher

Alliance for a Healthier GenerationAlliance for a Healthier Generation• Healthy Schools Program

Teach by ExampleTeach by Example

• Exhibit healthy choicesExhibit healthy choices– Snacks, beverages, participation in activities

• Show students you care about physical well-beingShow students you care about physical well-being– Allow for physical activity in the classroom, modify lessons

to incorporate this, take part in the lessons

Need for Classroom ActivityNeed for Classroom Activity

• Amount of activity: “Among 6-19 year olds, 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity on most, if not all, days of the week.”

• “[T]he greatest barrier against providing physical activity in the classroom is that teachers lack the confidence to lead these activities.”

3 Key Roles for a Teacher3 Key Roles for a Teacher

• Kruger’s roles :Kruger’s roles :– Teach by example– Work concepts into everyday classes– Seek resources

Kruger, R. (2003). Discussing cyber ethics with students is critical. The Social Studies, July/August, 2003, 188-189.

Work Concepts into Work Concepts into Everyday ClassEveryday Class

• “Physical activity breaks can be infused into ANY school setting ~ classrooms, after-school programs, cafeterias, hallways, gyms…”

Work Concepts into Work Concepts into Everyday ClassEveryday Class

Importance:Importance:• Reduces feelings of low self-esteem,

bullying, teasing, and depression

• Produces physical, psychological, and social benefits

Benefits:Benefits:

• Does not take away from the subject areas

• May improve on-task behavior

EnergizersEnergizers

• Developed by Eastern Carolina University

• Short, physical movement-based activities that are related to specific content

• All content areas have a list of energizers

• http://www.ncpe4me.com/energizers.html

North Carolina Department of Public Instruction. (2006). Social studies middle school energizers: Classroom-based physical activities. Raleigh, NC: Author.

Seek ResourcesSeek Resources

• “Teachers play the largest and most critical role in producing public understanding of the school. They translate the goals of the school board and the school’s administration into daily actions”

Nebor, J. (1984). The Role of the Teacher in School-Community Relations. (ERIC Document Reproduction Services No. ED287827)

Seek Resources Seek Resources

• empowerME (http://www.empowerme2b.org/)• -KidsHealth/TeensHealth (

www.kidshealth.org or www.kidshealth.org/teen)

• Kidz Bite Back (http://www.kidzbiteback.com/index05.html#image001)

• We Can!™ (http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/index.htm)