1
Childhood Obesity
Western Governors University
2015
,CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2
A1. Description of Community
Los Angeles is not only known for its several tourist attractions such as Universal
Studios, Venice Beach, Olvera Street, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, but is
also known for its entertainment industry, music recording and production, aerospace,
professional services including but not limited to law and medicine. It is also part of the
international trade supported by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (lacounty.gov, 2015).
The climate here is warm year round with mild winters giving surfers, swimmers and boaters a
place to enjoy year round. Los Angeles is home to the LA Kings, LA Dodgers, LA Galaxy, LA
Sparks, LA Lakers and LA Clippers. It is also home to approximately 9,818,605 (United States
Census Bureau, 2015). The largest city is The City of Los Angeles, which is home to
approximately 3.96 million (discoverlosangeles.com, 2015). Los Angeles also known as the City
of Angeles to many Angelenos. It is a diverse community with over a hundred different cultures
and languages that can be heard throughout the streets. According to the Los Angeles County
QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau as of July 2014, the demographic make up is: Hispanic
or Latino of any race is 48.4%, White alone is 26.8%, African American-9.2 %, Native
American-1.5%, Asian-14.8%, Pacific Islander- 0.4%. In 2013, the median household Income
was $55,909; nonetheless, 19.0% of Angelenos live in poverty (Los Angeles County QuickFacts
from the US Census Bureau, 2014).
Los Angeles is 4,751 square miles and consists of 75 miles of ocean, mountains, valleys
and deserts (discoverlosangeles.com, 2015).
, CHILDHOOD OBESITY 3
A2. Discussion of Health Concern
Over the past three decades childhood obesity has tripled. Overweight and obesity per the
CDC is defined as “ a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for
children and teens of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th
percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex (CDC, 2015).” Kids today have a life
filled with technology where even a two- year toddler is seen with some sort of an electronic
device. Its no wonder Los Angeles County has seen an increase with childhood obesity. Due to
several school cut backs physical education has been put on the back burner and schools report
less then 200 minutes of physical activity (LA County Public Health, 2007). Reports state that 1
in 5 children in Los Angeles County are overweight or obese (publichealth.lacounty.gov).
According to the Center for Disease Control a healthy BMI is between 18.6 -24.9 and
overweight is considered 25.0-29.9; a person with a BMI above 30 is considered obese (CDC,
2015). The BMI for children and teens is calculated with the same formula but is measured by
age and gender of the child/teen. Per the CDC, children who are above the 85th percentile on their
chart are considered to be overweight and those over the 95th percentile are obese (CDC, 2015).
Children who are obese are at risk of having a multitude of health problems ranging from serious
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, orthopedic conditions, asthma and are at a higher rate of
being bullied which can lead to low self esteem and depression. Obesity can come from several
different factors including but not limited to diet, genetics, culture, lack of physical activity and
environment. Its been shown that there is an association between poverty and obesity. By
educating parents the importance of choosing healthy foods and increasing physical activity will
Childhood Obesity
Western Governors University
2015
,CHILDHOOD OBESITY 2
A1. Description of Community
Los Angeles is not only known for its several tourist attractions such as Universal
Studios, Venice Beach, Olvera Street, Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor, but is
also known for its entertainment industry, music recording and production, aerospace,
professional services including but not limited to law and medicine. It is also part of the
international trade supported by the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach (lacounty.gov, 2015).
The climate here is warm year round with mild winters giving surfers, swimmers and boaters a
place to enjoy year round. Los Angeles is home to the LA Kings, LA Dodgers, LA Galaxy, LA
Sparks, LA Lakers and LA Clippers. It is also home to approximately 9,818,605 (United States
Census Bureau, 2015). The largest city is The City of Los Angeles, which is home to
approximately 3.96 million (discoverlosangeles.com, 2015). Los Angeles also known as the City
of Angeles to many Angelenos. It is a diverse community with over a hundred different cultures
and languages that can be heard throughout the streets. According to the Los Angeles County
QuickFacts from the US Census Bureau as of July 2014, the demographic make up is: Hispanic
or Latino of any race is 48.4%, White alone is 26.8%, African American-9.2 %, Native
American-1.5%, Asian-14.8%, Pacific Islander- 0.4%. In 2013, the median household Income
was $55,909; nonetheless, 19.0% of Angelenos live in poverty (Los Angeles County QuickFacts
from the US Census Bureau, 2014).
Los Angeles is 4,751 square miles and consists of 75 miles of ocean, mountains, valleys
and deserts (discoverlosangeles.com, 2015).
, CHILDHOOD OBESITY 3
A2. Discussion of Health Concern
Over the past three decades childhood obesity has tripled. Overweight and obesity per the
CDC is defined as “ a BMI at or above the 85th percentile and below the 95th percentile for
children and teens of the same age and sex. Obesity is defined as a BMI at or above the 95th
percentile for children and teens of the same age and sex (CDC, 2015).” Kids today have a life
filled with technology where even a two- year toddler is seen with some sort of an electronic
device. Its no wonder Los Angeles County has seen an increase with childhood obesity. Due to
several school cut backs physical education has been put on the back burner and schools report
less then 200 minutes of physical activity (LA County Public Health, 2007). Reports state that 1
in 5 children in Los Angeles County are overweight or obese (publichealth.lacounty.gov).
According to the Center for Disease Control a healthy BMI is between 18.6 -24.9 and
overweight is considered 25.0-29.9; a person with a BMI above 30 is considered obese (CDC,
2015). The BMI for children and teens is calculated with the same formula but is measured by
age and gender of the child/teen. Per the CDC, children who are above the 85th percentile on their
chart are considered to be overweight and those over the 95th percentile are obese (CDC, 2015).
Children who are obese are at risk of having a multitude of health problems ranging from serious
cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, orthopedic conditions, asthma and are at a higher rate of
being bullied which can lead to low self esteem and depression. Obesity can come from several
different factors including but not limited to diet, genetics, culture, lack of physical activity and
environment. Its been shown that there is an association between poverty and obesity. By
educating parents the importance of choosing healthy foods and increasing physical activity will
