Tuesday, January 14, 2020
Physical Activity and Obesity Essay
Childhood and adolescent obesity are prevalent in the United States (Nowicka 23; Clemmens and Hayman 801). This prevalence has caused widespread alarm and concern, particularly with respect to adolescent girls. The article of Clemmens and Hayman systematically reviews research on the interventions aimed at increasing physical activity among adolescent girls, with the aim in mind of avoiding obesity. The article rests on the premise that adolescence is an opportune time for interventions since it is the period where future health behaviors of people start (Clemmens and Hayman 801).            In order to make a comprehensive review of studies on interventions involving physical activities, the authors chose published journal articles from between 1989 and 2003, which featured experiments and trials involving adolescent girls and boys. Since physical activity is generally accepted as an effective means of addressing childhood obesity, many studies were conducted to determine how it could be effectively promoted among adolescents. Clemmens and Hayman found that interventions based in schools were effective in decreasing sedentary behavior among adolescent girls (Clemmens and Hayman 806).            Nowicka suggests that genetic factors aside, environmental factors such as physical activity and nutrition could be effectively addressed by a multidisciplinary team composed of an exercise expert, a dietitian, behavioral therapist, nurse, and physician. This ensures that different experts would be working harmoniously and simultaneously to solve a complex problem (Nowicka 28).            Some studies aimed to establish the relationship and association between weight gain and physical activity. One such study was conducted by Fogelholm and Kukkonen-Harjula. Unfortunately, this study resulted in inconsistent results, and it was concluded that that the effect of physical activity in weight reduction or gain is modest. It is further concluded that it is important to study means of promoting adherence to exercise programs in order to effectively manage weight (Fogelholm and Kukkonen-Harjula 109).            There is another study that sought to make clear the association between obesity and its history in the family and poor physical activity. This study, which was performed on high school students in public schools, led the authors to conclude that family history of obesity is associated with little physical exercise or activity or sedentary lifestyles and reluctance to exercise (Baba, Iwao, , Koketsu, Nagashima and Inasaka 272).            Jackson, Mannix, Faga and McDonald, on the other hand, discuss a study where mothers sought to have a plan in helping their children maintain healthy weight. This study, which discusses the role of increased physical activity in helping children achieve healthy weight, emphasizes weight management within the context of family life (Jackson, Mannix, Faga and McDonald 12).                                                                   Works Cited Baba, Reizo, Iwao, Nobuko, Koketsu, Masaaki, Nagashima, Masami and Hiroshi          Inasaka. â€Å"Risk of obesity enhanced by poor physical activity in high school students.†Pediatrics International 48 (2006): 268–273. Clemmens, Donna and Laura L. Hayman. â€Å"Increasing Activity to Reduce Obesity in    Adolescent Girls: A Research Review.†JOGNN 33.6 (2004): 801-808. Fogelholm, M. and K. Kukkonen-Harjula. â€Å"Does physical activity prevent weight gain – a systematic review.†The International Association for the Study of Obesity 1    (2000): 95-111. Jackson, Debra, Mannix, Judy, Faga, Pat and Glenda McDonald. â€Å"Overweight and      obese children: mother’s strategies.†Journal of Advanced Nursing 52.1 (2005): 6-13. Nowicka, Paulina. (2005). â€Å"Dietitians and exercise professionals in a childhood obesity            treatment Team.†Acta Pà ¦diatrica 94(Suppl 448): 23–29  Â
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