1.1 INTRODUCTION
Obesity
defined as “The abnormal accumulation of body fat, usually 20% or more over an
individual’s ideal body weight”. Obesity can be assessed based on Body Mass
Index (BMI) which calculated based on child’s weight and height. BMI for
children is calculated different for each child according to gender and age.
Due to children’s changing body compositions over time and the different growth
rates of boys and girls.
A child
becomes overweight or obese can be attributed to a combination of various
factors on behaviour, environment and genetics such as unhealthy eating
patterns, lack of physical activity, genetic factors, a diet high in calories,
too much screen time, more meals eaten away from home or a combination of those
factors. Childhood obesity and overweight issues in children will age the
child’s body. Many of the outcomes associated with obesity that was previously
diseases of adults are now affecting children as well. According to Prof Dr
Norimah from Nutriweb Obesity children are at higher risk of facing many health
issues including high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma, sleep Apnea and stroke.
They also may suffer from psychological problems such as depression and low
self-esteem. Overweight and obese children are more probable leads to become
obesity teenagers and adults.
Obesity as
well as their related diseases is largely preventable. Prevention of childhood
obesity therefore needs high priority. Thus, the strategy towards achieving a
healthy nation is the promotion of a healthy lifestyle which includes promoting
healthy eating habits, early detection, maintaining a desirable diet pattern
and increase physical activity. Due to the rise in childhood obesity rates,
using the mass media campaign and effective promotional strategy, it helps to
reduce those rates, promote the awareness of this issue, encourage practicing
healthy lifestyle and provides more information and knowledge on obesity to
parents and publics.
1.2 PROBLEM
STATEMENT AND ISSUES
Childhood
obesity and overweight has become a serious public health issues in many
country. From The World Health Organization (WHO) research, stated that it is
increased and doubled since 1980. Approximately, 40 million children below the
age of five were overweight in 2011 especially children who lives in developing
countries. It has become so severe and
affected so many children, and recently been labelled an epidemic by WHO.
In
Malaysia, the number of overweight children are higher than most of Asian countries
such as Thailand and Singapore. There is
no chance of slowing down unless action is taken. Experts estimate that 15% of
kids are overweight and another 15% are at risk of becoming overweight. And two
thirds of these overweight kids will become overweight adults. This increased
has been related to an increasing inactive lifestyle with less physical
activities as well as changing dietary habits and eating pattern. This trend is
expected to lead to huge economic costs to health and social security systems. Obesity
among children has become a serious health problem in Malaysia and this
situation occurred due to lack of awareness and information about childhood
obesity among parents, ignorant about the seriousness effect of obesity and
unhealthy lifestyle practices.
1.3 OBJECTIVES
AND AIMS
Objectives
- To raise the awareness on childhood obesity to public.
- To share information and knowledge on childhood obesity to public.
- To promote healthy lifestyle and gives healthy start for children.
- To encourage public to play role on preventing obesity.
- Reduce obesity and overweight among children.
- Improve healthy lifestyle on eating habits and physical activity.
- Media as a tool to help deliver message to public.
No comments on "Situation Analysis Chapter 1 : Project Overview"