Obesity is history - How the nation and children of Aotearoa, New Zealand are becoming obese!

Do we know what the definition of 'obesity' really is? I was surprised when I discovered the many definitions of obesity. Firstly, Berk (2012) defines obesity as an increase of weight higher than 20 percent of one’s own body mass index (BMI) “...a ratio of weight to height associated with body fat...” (p. 292). However, Wikipedia states that “Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat has accumulated to the extent that it may have an adverse effect on health, leading to reduced life expectancy and/or increased health problems” (2013, para. 1). These two definitions define obesity as it is, and as it always will be.

Is this what our world is coming to?

Obesity has become the 'killer' epidemic that everybody is aware of. The World Health Organization (WHO) agrees, declaring the "...prevalence of obesity as an epidemic" (as cited in Ministry of Health, 2012, para. 1). The Ministry of Health (2012) clearly defines this social issue of obesity by stating that "If you're obese, it means: you're excessively overweight, [and that] your weight is above what it should be, for you to be healthy" (para. 1). WHO (2013) describes obesity in more of a rounded way, by suggesting that "Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health" (para. 2). These definitions, although worded differently, concur with each other as they both suggest that being overweight or obese means that you are carrying excessive fat or 'weight'.

Beginning in the late 1970s, there was an increase in the obesity levels in the United Kingdom for men and women. Percentage increases went from 2-3% in the 1970s to well over 25% today (more on these statistics later). This killer epidemic that has grown gruesomely out of control in the past 40 years is one that we do not talk about today, and political correctness is partly to blame. Tragically, obesity is so common around the world that most people either know someone who has a serious weight issue, or they themselves have the issue. However due to political correctness in this modern day and age, all over the world we are restricted in what we say and do, and for that reason, we dare not  mention the word ‘overweight’ or ‘obese’.

The future of our world.

A newspaper article published in 2010 in the United Kingdom is a clear example of how PC this world has become, as it headlines “Council to ban the word ‘obesity’ – so fat children don’t get offended”. Instead of ‘obese’ this council in Liverpool, England, will be using the phrase ‘unhealthy weight’ – which they hope will ‘encourage’ obese children of the United Kingdom to lose weight – or will it? The article goes a step further saying that they also want to “...drop the word from all local authority schemes aimed at improving children's health”. The article goes on to state that “...the word obese has negative connotations...” and they feel that the phrase “...unhealthy weight is more positive and a better way to promote it. The term ‘obese’ would turn people off, particularly young people” (Narain, 2010). I feel that this is quite ironic as the word ‘obese’ came into the regular language to replace the word ‘fat’ because that offended people. Now they need to take up two words to describe ‘fat’ because the word ‘obese’ is offending people. Soon the phrase ‘unhealthy weight’ will be seen as offensive. What other term or expression will be used? Perhaps ‘fat’ will have to do – who knows.

What's your fat percentage?

Looking back on the history of obesity in the United States, the number of Americans who are overweight or obese is growing each year. According to McTigue, Garrett, and Popkin (2002), research showed that in the years 1960-1999, a sample of the adult population (people aged 20-74) who were carrying excess weight (based on a body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m²), showed an increase in their weight of “...44% to 61%...”. Furthermore, the amount of people classed as obese (in the same age group) “...doubled from 13% to 27%” (p. 857). During that period, the amount of people becoming overweight and obese sent alarm bells, and obesity was soon to be acknowledged as an important medical and health problem (Allison & Saunders, 2008).

A fatal epidemic.

In New Zealand’s history of obesity there are trends relating to the occurrence of extreme obesity (based on a BMI of 40 kg/m²). Results are seen in the Ministry of Health’s study using graphical methods to visualise the trends in the BMI distribution of the New Zealand adult population from 1977 to 2003. The population of New Zealand was approximately 3,000,000 in 1977 growing to almost 4,000,000 in 2003. Trends show that cases of extreme obesity have increased sharply over the years (Ministry of Health, 2004). In 1977, of the adults aged 25-64, “0.32% of males and 1.28% of females” were classed as being extremely obese. These conclusions are consistent with the suggestion that the obesity epidemic began in the late 1970’s, and earlier among females, as the percentage of obese woman was 4 times greater than that of males. Levels of extreme obesity from 1977 to 1989 did not increase significantly. From 1989 to 1997 rapid growth began when extreme obesity levels showed that “1.2 % of males and 3.0%” of females were extremely obese. However from 1997 to 2003, male’s extreme obesity levels went from “1.2% to 2.2% and female levels continued at 3.0%” (Ministry of Health, 2004). In conclusion, in the year of 2004 an estimated “58,000 (± 8,000)” extremely obese people lived in New Zealand, of whom almost “60% were female” (Ministry of Health, 2004, p. 85; WHO, 2013).

The most recent (2013) key statistics based on the obesity epidemic have been published by the World Health Organisation (WHO) stating that:

• "Worldwide obesity has more than doubled since 1980.
• In 2008, more than 1.4 billion adults (approximately 20% of the adult world population), aged 20 and older, were overweight. Of these over 200 million men and nearly 300 million women were obese.
• 65% of the world's population (approximately 6.7 billion) live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more people than underweight and malnutrition.
• More than 40 million children under the age of five were overweight in 2010.
• Obesity is preventable".

Although obesity in adults is a major concern for all parties, what is even more concerning and alarming is the increasing rate of obesity in children. Heinberg and Thompson (2009) confirm this stating that “Rates of obesity in youth have tripled in the past 20 years ... This emerging epidemic has stimulated a great deal of new research into the formative influences and the interpersonal, social, and psychological effects of obesity on children” (p. 1). I am shocked by these results as these statistics fall within my life time. It has occurred to me, that if it weren't for my healthy introduction to life, I would have been part of these statistics.

“Obesity has been linked to increased mortality and chronic morbidity from such diverse causes as hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, certain types of cancer, and depression” (McTigue, Garrett, & Popkin, 2002). The International Diabetes Federation (IDF) supports this saying that "Diabetes and obesity are the biggest public health challenge of the 21st century" (2006, para. 1). According to Healthy Living (2013) "Of the people diagnosed with type II diabetes, about 80 to 90 percent are also diagnosed as obese" (para. 4). Personally, I feel that this fact therefore provides evidence that diabetes is definitely linked to obesity.

I feel that the history, statistics, and studies have shown that the obesity is still making history not only in adults, but also in children which is a major concern. So what policies and legislation have been put into place in order to fight this epidemic that has become so well-known to us, not in New Zealand as a whole, but in early childhood services?

References: 

Allison, D. B., & Saunders, S. E. (2000). Obesity in North America: An overview. Medical Clinic of North America, 84, 305-332. doi:10.1016/S0025-7125(05)70223-6

Berk, L. (2010). Development through the lifespan (5th ed.). Boston, MA: Pearson Education.

Central Intelligence Agency. (2013). The world factbook. Retrieved from https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/xx.html 

Healthy Living. (2013). A co-dependent relationship: Diabetes & obesity. Retrieved from http://www.diabeticcareservices.com/diabetes-education/diabetes-and-obesity 

Heinberg, L. J., & Thompson, J. K. (Eds.). (2009). Obesity in youth: Cause, consequences, and cures. Washington, DC: American Psychological Association.

International Diabetes Federation. (2006). 11th FEND ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Retrieved from http://www.idf.org/node/3030 

McTigue, K. M., Garrett, J. M., & Popkin, B. M. (2002). The natural history of the development of obesity in a cohort of young U.S. adults between 1981 and 1998. Annals of Internal Medicine. 136(12), 857-864. Retrieved from Scopus database.

Ministry of Health. (2004). Tracking the obesity epidemic: New Zealand 1977-2003. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.

Ministry of Health. (2012). Obesity. Retrieved from http://www.health.govt.nz/your-health/healthy-living/food-and-physical-activity/obesity

Narain, J. (2010, April 12). Council to ban the word ‘obesity’ – so fat children don’t get offended. Mail Online. Retrieved from http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-1265327/Council-ban-word-obesity--fat-children-dont-offended.html 

Obesity. (2013). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved April 17, 2013, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obesity 

World Health Organisation. (2013).Obesity and overweight. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/

Obese children in early childhood settings in Aotearoa, New Zealand

Welcome to my blog!

The social issue that I have chosen to explore and critically examine is: Child obesity in early childhood settings in New Zealand. Reasons for my choice come down to the strong feelings that I have about this increasingly huge issue that is seen across New Zealand, not only in early childhood settings. Every time this issue crosses my mind, my curiosity takes over and my thoughts are flooded with questions like: Why is it an issue? How has it become an issue? Who is responsible for this issue? And what small part can I as an early childhood teacher (still in training) do to contribute to the works of many who are trying to decrease this issue in early childhood settings?

Throughout my two years in early childhood settings I have seen first-hand and observed, on many occasions, numerous children who are overweight, and some who are even obese. However, lately, this social issue became of even greater concern to me when I was introduced to a young child approximately 18 months of age who was visiting the centre with her family. As soon as I saw the child, I knew they were undoubtedly obese. As I observed this child in the outside environment, it became clear to me the absolute crisis that obese children, families, and whānau have fallen into. It became apparent when this child could not even climb up the three steps which led to the slide due to their weight, nor could they climb up onto the fire engine which was easy for an average sized child. Reflecting on experiences like these, I have been prompted, by my curiosity, to delve deeper into researching, examining, and analysing this social issue that is effectively killing our future generations.

As my thoughts progress, I have come to the simple conclusion that the main people held responsible for their child's health are parents, whānau, or caregivers, as they nine times out of ten choose what their children eat. I also strongly feel that if the parent, whānau, or caregiver is overweight or obese, then it is likely that their children will be too, as their eating habits are reflected on their children (Koplan, Liverman & Kraak, 2005).

As I have begun researching this social issue, I have found many studies, including that of the New Zealand Health Survey which suggest that this issue regarding obesity, not only in adults, but also in children, has become a great concern of the government (Ministry of Education, 2006/07). This survey shows disgusting results stating that "One in four adults (aged 15 years and over) were obese ... One in twelve children (aged 2-14 years) were obese [and] One in five children were overweight" (Ministry of Health, 2008). These statistics come from our NEW ZEALAND population of approximately 4,000,000. Comparing this to our levels of obese children and adults, there is a clear sign that we do in fact have an issue regarding obesity across all ages in New Zealand.

In order to quench my curiosity and for reasons stated above, I will briefly examine the history of obesity in children and adults. I will be examining and analysing key statistics, from our own country New Zealand and others such as the United States of America and the United Kingdom, in order to support my discussion. The main focus of the rest of my blog will however be on obese children in early childhood settings. 

Lastly, a brief synopsis of my blog, as I endeavour through this issue, I will: discuss and analyse the history of adult and child obesity, examine, analyse and critique policies and legislation applicable to obese children in early childhood settings, discuss and examine the effects that food advertising and television have on children, and I will critically examine and discuss pedagogical implications for early childhood teachers.

References:

Koplan, J. P., Liverman, C. T., & Kraak, V. A. (2005). Preventing childhood obesity: Health in the balance. Washington, DC: National Academies Press.

Ministry of Health. (2008). A portrait of health: Key results of the 2006/07 New Zealand health survey. Wellington, New Zealand: Ministry of Health.