Instructions After viewing Jorge and Lily’s stories, choose one scenario for your assignment. Access APA Style (Links to an external site.) for assistance with the writing process, formatting, documentation, and citations in your written work. Locate two credible sources from either the Recommended Resource list or the Ashford Library. In your paper, Summarize your chosen nutrition issue (obesity or malnutrition). (Introduction [one paragraph])

QUESTION

Nutrition Issues
[WLOs: 1, 2] [CLOs: 1, 2, 3, 4]
Prior to beginning work on this assignment, read Chapters 1 and 2 from Groark & Song (2012) and view Jorge and Lily’s stories (Links to an external site.). Proper health and nutrition is critical for the growth and development of young children, yet many American children experience issues stemming from poor nutrition. In fact, HealthyChildren.org finds that “nearly one in three children in America is overweight or obese” (2016). This assignment will focus on two nutrition issues that affect young children.

Instructions

After viewing Jorge and Lily’s stories, choose one scenario for your assignment.
Access APA Style (Links to an external site.) for assistance with the writing process, formatting, documentation, and citations in your written work.
Locate two credible sources from either the Recommended Resource list or the Ashford Library.
In your paper,

Summarize your chosen nutrition issue (obesity or malnutrition). (Introduction [one paragraph])
Identify three main concerns related to the health, safety, and nutrition of this child.
Discuss the potential long-term effects of the nutrition issue (obesity or malnutrition) from your case study on this child’s growth and development.
Explain three ways an early childhood teacher can address the issue in the school or center setting.
Describe three ways you can collaborate with others (e.g., colleagues, families, the community) to combat this nutrition issue.
Summarize the main points of the nutrition issue and your role in supporting this student. (Conclusion [one paragraph])
The Nutrition Issues paper

Must be three to four double-spaced pages in length (not including title and references pages) and formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s APA Style (Links to an external site.)
Must include a separate title page with the following:
Title of paper
Student’s name
Course name and number
Instructor’s name
Date submitted
For further assistance with the formatting and the title page, refer to APA Formatting for Word 2013 (Links to an external site.).

Must utilize academic voice. See the Academic Voice (Links to an external site.) resource for additional guidance.
Must include an introduction and conclusion paragraph. Your introduction paragraph needs to end with a clear thesis statement that indicates the purpose of your paper.
For assistance on writing Introductions & Conclusions (Links to an external site.) as well as Writing a Thesis Statement (Links to an external site.), refer to the Ashford Writing Center resources.
Must use at least two scholarly sources in addition to the course text.
The Scholarly, Peer-Reviewed, and Other Credible Sources (Links to an external site.) table offers additional guidance on appropriate source types. If you have questions about whether a specific source is appropriate for this assignment, please contact your instructor. Your instructor has the final say about the appropriateness of a specific source for a particular assignment.
Must document any information used from sources in APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center’s Citing Within Your Paper (Links to an external site.)
Must include a separate reference page that is formatted according to APA style as outlined in the Ashford Writing Center. See the Formatting Your References List (Links to an external site.) resource in the Ashford Writing Center for specifications.
Carefully review the Grading Rubric (Links to an external site.) for the criteria that will be used to evaluate your assignment.

ANSWER

Nutrition Issues in Early Childhood: Addressing Obesity

Introduction

Proper nutrition is crucial for the healthy growth and development of young children. Unfortunately, many American children face nutrition issues, such as obesity. This paper focuses on the scenario of Jorge, a young boy struggling with obesity. The aim is to explore the main concerns related to his health, safety, and nutrition, discuss the potential long-term effects of obesity on his growth and development, and propose strategies for early childhood teachers and collaborative efforts to combat this nutrition issue.

Main Concerns Related to the Health, Safety, and Nutrition of Jorge

Poor Diet: Jorge’s nutrition issue stems from consuming an unhealthy diet, high in processed foods, sugary snacks, and beverages. Such dietary habits can lead to nutrient deficiencies, excessive calorie intake, and a lack of essential vitamins and minerals necessary for growth and development (Mondal et al., 2023).

Sedentary Lifestyle: Jorge’s sedentary lifestyle, characterized by limited physical activity and excessive screen time, contributes to his weight gain. Insufficient exercise not only promotes weight gain but also increases the risk of chronic diseases, poor cardiovascular health, and compromised musculoskeletal development.

Psychological and Emotional Well-being: Obesity can significantly impact a child’s psychological and emotional well-being. Jorge may experience low self-esteem, social isolation, and depression due to body image concerns and potential teasing or bullying from peers (Lee et al., 2018). These emotional challenges can further hinder his overall development and academic performance.

Long-Term Effects of Obesity on Jorge’s Growth and Development

Physical Health Issues: Prolonged obesity can increase the risk of developing various physical health problems, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases, respiratory issues, and joint problems. These conditions can persist into adulthood and have severe implications for Jorge’s quality of life.

Developmental Delays: Obesity in early childhood can lead to developmental delays, particularly in motor skills and coordination. Excessive weight places added stress on the musculoskeletal system, which may impede normal motor development, affect balance and agility, and limit participation in physical activities.

Cognitive and Academic Challenges: Obesity has been linked to cognitive impairments and academic difficulties (Wu et al., 2017). Jorge may experience decreased attention span, reduced memory function, and lower academic performance compared to his peers. This can hinder his educational progress and future opportunities.

Addressing Obesity in the School or Center Setting

Nutrition Education: Early childhood teachers can integrate nutrition education into their curriculum, teaching children about healthy food choices, portion sizes, and the importance of a balanced diet. Hands-on activities, such as cooking classes and gardening, can promote healthier eating habits and a positive relationship with food.

Physical Activity Promotion: Teachers should provide ample opportunities for physical activity throughout the day. Incorporating active play, outdoor time, structured exercises, and movement breaks can help combat sedentary behavior and promote regular exercise.

Collaborative Meal Planning: Engaging families and collaborating with them in meal planning can have a significant impact. Teachers can provide resources, workshops, and guidance on creating nutritious meals and snacks at home. Involving parents in school events that promote healthy eating can foster a supportive environment.

Collaborating with Others to Combat Obesity

Colleagues: Early childhood teachers can collaborate with other teachers and staff members to develop a comprehensive approach to address obesity. Sharing resources, strategies, and success stories can create a supportive network within the school or center.

Families: Establishing open communication channels with families is crucial. Teachers can engage parents in conversations about their child’s nutrition and weight management, provide resources, and offer guidance on making healthy lifestyle choices at home. Regular parent-teacher meetings can be used to discuss progress and challenges.

Community Partnerships: Collaborating with local community organizations, healthcare professionals, and nutritionists can enhance the efforts to combat childhood obesity. Joint initiatives, such as health fairs, workshops, and physical activity programs, can promote awareness, provide resources, and create a broader impact.

Conclusion

Obesity in early childhood poses significant concerns for a child’s health, safety, and nutrition. Addressing this issue requires a multi-faceted approach involving early childhood teachers, families, and the wider community. By focusing on nutrition education, physical activity promotion, collaboration with colleagues and families, and community partnerships, we can work together to support children like Jorge in their journey towards healthier lives and optimal growth and development.

References

Lee, B. S., Jeong, S., & Roh, M. (2018). Association between body mass index and health outcomes among adolescents: the mediating role of traditional and cyber bullying victimization. BMC Public Health, 18(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-018-5390-0 

Mondal, D. D., Chakraborty, U., Bera, M., Ghosh, S., & Kar, D. (2023). An overview of nutritional profiling in foods: Bioanalytical techniques and useful protocols. Frontiers in Nutrition, 10. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnut.2023.1124409 

Wu, N., Chen, Y., Yang, J., & Li, F. (2017). Childhood Obesity and Academic Performance: The Role of Working Memory. Frontiers in Psychology, 8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.00611