Government Influence On Childhood Obesity

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Over the past three decades, the prevalence of obesity among children in Michigan has more than doubled and quadrupled among adolescents (The National Institute for Health Care Management, 2016). Obesity cuts across income, ethnic, religion, and racial strata. As a result, it is a serious issue that requires immediate and heightened attention, especially due to its debilitating consequences on children and society at large. Childhood obesity has been linked with adulthood obesity and chronic diseases including hypertension, diabetes, and sleep apnea (Eagle et al., 2012). Besides the short-term and long-term health effects, obese children tend to exhibit lower academic achievements compared to their non-obese peers. Environmental and genetic …show more content…
The federal government exerts its influence on childhood obesity by creating and implementing health care related policies. For example, the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act of 2010 (P.L. 111-296) accented into law on December 13, 2010 (111th Congress of the United States of America, 2010). This regulation introduces nutritious foods to school children and included provisions form Improving Nutrition for America’s Children’s Act of 2010 (H.R. 5504), Hunger Free Schools Act of 2009 (S. 1343), Hunger Free Schools Act of 2009 (H.R. 4148), and Start Healthy Habits Early Act of 2010 (H.R. 5431) (111th Congress of the United States of America, 2010). Former First Lady Michelle Obama was very passionate about the …show more content…
Lilian Wald, Harriet Tubman, and Ruth Lubic are exemplar nursing leaders who have indisputable dedication to community health (Mason et al., 2016). Nurses can influence policy in the community by writing to local media about the current health issue such as childhood obesity. Actively involved in parent-teacher organizations, for instance, nurses can mobilize support from parents and school staff to build momentum, spread awareness, and increase understanding the cruel impact of childhood obesity on the