Combating Childhood Obesity: A Family Systems Theory Intervention

Combating Childhood Obesity: A Family Systems Theory Intervention
Department of Child and Family Studies,
Parenting: Final Group Project
Dr. C., Associate Professor
March 1, 2021
Combating Childhood Obesity: A Family Systems Theory Intervention
Introduction
Americans and populations in most advanced economies grapple with the burden of rocketing cases of childhood obesity. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defines obesity as a body mass index (BMI) between 30.0-39.9. A morbidly obese person is considered to have a BMI of 40 and above. Obesity and overweight have attained an epidemic status and place the American population's health at a regrettable yet avoidable risk. Part of the reason the current proliferation of childhood obesity is a cause for worry is the undeniable direct relationship with innumerable weight-related health complications such as cardiovascular complications, hypertension, and other autoimmune conditions (Kinlen, Cody, & O’Shea, 2018). Although a fraction of diabetic cases can be attributed to genetic factors, most are largely to blame on lifestyle changes such as bingeing of fast, lack of physical exercise, excessive use of social media, and economic status. Other factors include lack of access to recreational facilities. The current proposal advances solutions to the childhood obesity epidemic using family systems theory as an intervention measure.
Literature Review
Based on the US Center For Disease Control and Prevention findings, at least 16 percent of youth activity mania 6 to 19 years are either overweight or obese (Hedlyey, 2004). Hedley's study associate obesity and overweight with a number of complications such as increased cholesterol, type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and innumerable psychosocial problems that include but not limited to social isolation, depression, low self-esteem, and disturbed body image (Dietz,1998). These are monumental issues that call for the need to reverse the trend and put the phenomenon to a halt if the US realizes sustainable growth. Based on the multi-dynamic nature of the causes of obesity, Vigna et al. (2011) have recommended a multidisciplinary intervention model that can deal with the problem from multiple perspectives.
Communities throughout the United States need support to combat childhood obesity. In Weber County within the Utah region, at least 9.3% of all high school students are obese. Male kids are more obese at 13.2% compared to girls at 6.3 percent (Health, n.d). However, these figures vary across different races and ethnic groups. Most of these populations include the Pacific islanders, Native Americans, and blacks. These figures represent a striking trend close all the counties in America that necessitate deliberate remedial and mitigating factors.
Family Systems Theory
Bowen's family systems theory construes family as a living organism governed by rules, expectations, set of consensually agreed behaviors that bind together to safeguard family statuses and status quo for members. Accordingly, a change in one part of the family has reverberated effect on changes elsewhere to maintain the equilibrium. The model also considers that family units are part of the larger community systems, which implies that a c...