Prevention of Childhood Obesity and Diabetes

One of the public health concerns that have been on the rise is childhood obesity and diabetes. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey indicate that approximately one-third of children in the United States are overweight or obese with 17% meeting criteria for obesity (Pulgaron and Delamater, 2014). This crisis exists nationally and internationally which can effect children in the following ways: physically, socially, psychologically and mentally. Although, genetics also play a role in these diseases, environmental factors, lifestyle preferences and cultural environmental play have a major influence. My internship with the Food Education Project covers a better understanding to prevent these existing public health issues through education settings not only in classrooms, but for students to also bring home. The main tools that I utilize are lesson plans, preparing grant writings and food education preparations that could also take place when dining out with families and helping prepare food safely in the kitchen. The different lesson plans that were created include exercise friendly activity for children that will help encourage getting on the move, the different steps of handwashing, healthier choices when eating out and building a healthy plate. The purpose of my capstone is to discuss factors that influence childhood obesity and the different challenges that have yet to be addressed to prevent numbers from increasing