NURS 503
Healthy People 2020: Health Indicator Overview Case Study
Liberty University
NURS 503 - D03
Abstract
Obesity is considered as a 21st century epidemic in the United States. More usage and
affordability of unhealthy foods and sedentary life could be the main reason for increase in
obesity. This paper is based on review of books, journals, case studies and personal
recommendations. This research will try to identify the San Diego county childhood obesity as
well as the United States childhood obesity, its impacts, history, recommendations and Christian
worldview.
Obesity or overweight is caused by taking in more calories than we normally need. Lack
of well nourished food and lack of physical activity mainly contributes to obesity. Obesity can
lead to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 Diabetes. Childhood
obesity has many health consequences for physical and mental health in both short term and long
term. Likewise childhood Obesity is associated with increased morbidity, premature mortality,
and obesity in adulthood (“Childhood obesity as a predictor of morbidity in adulthood”,
n.d.). Obesity could happen as a result of our lifestyle behavior as well as other socioeconomic
factors. However, managing our weight at any age is a very important factor to stay healthy.
History, Depth, and Breadth of the Obesity Problem in the United States
The Healthy People Academy was designed to help communities reach our nation’s
health goals as outlined by Healthy People 2020. Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity have
been identified as one of the 12 leading health indicators for this decade for Healthy People
, 2020. Approximately 1 in 3 adults (34.0%) and 1 in 6 children and adolescents (16.2%) in the
United States have obesity. Obesity is considered to be one of the leading health care indicators
because of its increase in statistics (“Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity | Healthy People
2020”, n.d.). The CDC reports that the prevalence rate of obesity was 36.5% among U.S. adults
in 2011-2014. Overall, the prevalence of obesity among middle aged adults aged 40-59 was
40.2%. Childhood obesity has been a major health issues in developing country. According to the
CDC, the prevalence rate of childhood obesity was 18.5% and approximately 13.7 million
children and adolescents were affected (“Childhood Obesity Facts | Overweight & Obesity |
CDC”, n.d.). However, it is believed that, in the last 30 years, the number of people overweight
has increased dramatically.
Obesity’s Impact as a Leading Health Care Indicator
In 2007-2008, 1 out of 3 children in the United States were overweight or obese. Among
which 1 out of 7 low income preschool aged children were obese. CDC states that increased
availability of sugar sweetened beverages, lack of daily quality physical activity in all schools,
limited access to affordable healthy foods, lack of breastfeeding support, increased screen time
(television, phone, computer, and other media) affect the prevalence of childhood obesity in the
United States. These behaviors are considered to be quickly adopted. It was very interesting to
learn about the San Diego county, California initiative on reducing childhood obesity via this
case study. San Diego county is home to more than 3 million residents. Approximately 33% of
adults in San Diego county are overweight and 26% are obese. Further, nearly 30% of San Diego
county children in grades five, seven, and nine are overweight or obese (“San Diego County
Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI)”, n.d.). Health status is dependent on the degree to which we
practice healthy behaviors, the environmental determinants to which we are exposed, and our
educational and economic status and opportunities (Nash, Skoufalos, Fabius, & Oglesby, 2021).
Obesity has become the 21st century epidemic across the United States.
Healthy People 2020: Health Indicator Overview Case Study
Liberty University
NURS 503 - D03
Abstract
Obesity is considered as a 21st century epidemic in the United States. More usage and
affordability of unhealthy foods and sedentary life could be the main reason for increase in
obesity. This paper is based on review of books, journals, case studies and personal
recommendations. This research will try to identify the San Diego county childhood obesity as
well as the United States childhood obesity, its impacts, history, recommendations and Christian
worldview.
Obesity or overweight is caused by taking in more calories than we normally need. Lack
of well nourished food and lack of physical activity mainly contributes to obesity. Obesity can
lead to many chronic diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and type 2 Diabetes. Childhood
obesity has many health consequences for physical and mental health in both short term and long
term. Likewise childhood Obesity is associated with increased morbidity, premature mortality,
and obesity in adulthood (“Childhood obesity as a predictor of morbidity in adulthood”,
n.d.). Obesity could happen as a result of our lifestyle behavior as well as other socioeconomic
factors. However, managing our weight at any age is a very important factor to stay healthy.
History, Depth, and Breadth of the Obesity Problem in the United States
The Healthy People Academy was designed to help communities reach our nation’s
health goals as outlined by Healthy People 2020. Nutrition, physical activity, and obesity have
been identified as one of the 12 leading health indicators for this decade for Healthy People
, 2020. Approximately 1 in 3 adults (34.0%) and 1 in 6 children and adolescents (16.2%) in the
United States have obesity. Obesity is considered to be one of the leading health care indicators
because of its increase in statistics (“Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity | Healthy People
2020”, n.d.). The CDC reports that the prevalence rate of obesity was 36.5% among U.S. adults
in 2011-2014. Overall, the prevalence of obesity among middle aged adults aged 40-59 was
40.2%. Childhood obesity has been a major health issues in developing country. According to the
CDC, the prevalence rate of childhood obesity was 18.5% and approximately 13.7 million
children and adolescents were affected (“Childhood Obesity Facts | Overweight & Obesity |
CDC”, n.d.). However, it is believed that, in the last 30 years, the number of people overweight
has increased dramatically.
Obesity’s Impact as a Leading Health Care Indicator
In 2007-2008, 1 out of 3 children in the United States were overweight or obese. Among
which 1 out of 7 low income preschool aged children were obese. CDC states that increased
availability of sugar sweetened beverages, lack of daily quality physical activity in all schools,
limited access to affordable healthy foods, lack of breastfeeding support, increased screen time
(television, phone, computer, and other media) affect the prevalence of childhood obesity in the
United States. These behaviors are considered to be quickly adopted. It was very interesting to
learn about the San Diego county, California initiative on reducing childhood obesity via this
case study. San Diego county is home to more than 3 million residents. Approximately 33% of
adults in San Diego county are overweight and 26% are obese. Further, nearly 30% of San Diego
county children in grades five, seven, and nine are overweight or obese (“San Diego County
Childhood Obesity Initiative (COI)”, n.d.). Health status is dependent on the degree to which we
practice healthy behaviors, the environmental determinants to which we are exposed, and our
educational and economic status and opportunities (Nash, Skoufalos, Fabius, & Oglesby, 2021).
Obesity has become the 21st century epidemic across the United States.
