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APHA Scientific Session and Event Listing

Roslyn Yvonne Heyward, BSN, RN and Mary Ellen Miller, MSN, RN. School of Nursing, La Salle University, 1900 West Olney Ave., Philadelphia, PA 19141, 215-748-5134, heywardr1@lasalle.edu

Nationally, there is a continuing increase in overweight among children and youth. Childhood obesity is a health problem that has reached epidemic proportions. This is an urgent public health concern. Fifteen percent of children aged 6-11 years and sixteen percent of adolescents aged 12-19 in the United States were overweight in 1999-2003 (National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2003). This prevalence has doubled for children and nearly tripled for adolescents in the past two decades. Obesity in children is a clinical determination that indicates potential chronic health problems. High cholesterol and high blood pressure occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to children with healthy weights. Type 2 Diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically. Children perceive social discrimination as the most immediate consequence of being overweight. This is associated with poor self-esteem and depression. This poster describes a graduate student project that focuses on this public health threat. Over 500 youth participated in BMI screening which involved weights, heights, and calculation of BMI's. The initiative also involved nutrition presentations for school age children by developing age appropriate games. Beyond health and psychosocial issues, the economic burden of overweight in children and youth has increased dramatically in the past 20 years. Nationally, obesity associated annual hospital cost for children between the ages of 6-17 have increased more than $35 million to $127 million (Wang & Dietz, 2002). Intervening on childhood obesity before children reach adulthood may be the most crucial preventive activity in our country.

Learning Objectives: At the completion of the session the participant will be able to

• Identify the importance of utilizing BMI screening in the pediatric population
• Analyze the link between nutrition and physical activity.
• Implement similar public health stragegies in their communities.

Keywords: Child Health Promotion, Obesity

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered