Linkages Winter 2010 Edition
Linkages is a newsletter for professionals who work with children with ongoing health conditions or disabilities.
Disclaimer: The inclusion of any resource or website in Linkages does not imply endorsement.
| Volume 16, No. 1 |
Winter 2010 |
In This Month's Newsletter: Obesity
- Obesity and Children with Special Health Care Needs
- Causes
- Incidence and Prevalence
- Prevention and Treatment
- Washington State Happenings
- Useful Obesity Web Pages
- News—Story Network, Family Advisors, Oral Health
As we prepared this “Obesity” issue of Linkages we learned the extensive amount of information available about obesity reflects the enormity of the epidemic itself. We hope this issue highlights some of the most useful tips, tools and information you can use in your practice to help prevent, identify and treat childhood and teenage obesity.
Obesity and Children with Special Health Care Needs
The question “What does the epidemic of childhood obesity mean for children with special health care needs (CSHCN)?” is explored in a 2007 article in the Journal of Law, Medicine & Ethics. The article describes family concerns, prevalence of obesity in CSHCN, and the risks for obesity in seeing only specialty (excluding primary care) providers. The authors estimated that children with physical limitations are twice as likely to be overweight compared to children with no physical limitations. Additionally, girls with learning disabilities were approximately twice as likely to be overweight compared to girls without learning disabilities.
The National Center on Physical Activity and Disability is aware of only two accessible Washington State parks, one in Ilwaco and one in Walla Walla. Do you know of more? Contact your local parks department to find out about accessible options in parks and playgrounds. In addition to information on accessible parks the National Center of Physical Activity and Disability offers information about staying fit with a disability. Some of the information that applies to adults, such as emotional eating, motivation, and certified inclusive trainers may be useful for teens as well.
Outdoors for All is an organization devoted to enriching the quality of life for children and adults with disabilities through outdoor recreation. The site has a newsletter and listing of programs, events and camps for inclusive outdoor activities.
Sports and Recreational Activities for Children with Physical Disabilities offers several articles about how to adapt physical activities for children and youth with disabilities. A hospital or school-based occupational therapist may also make recommendations for adapting physical activities.
University of Tennessee Boling Center for Developmental Disabilities offers a self-paced online course on Overweight Prevention and Intervention for Children with Special Health Care Needs (CSHCN). This course is available with pre-approved professional Continuing Education credits for dietitians, nurses, occupational therapists, physical therapists, case managers, health education specialists and psychologists. A certificate of completion for 10 contact hours is available for other professionals.
Causes
Childhood and teenage obesity can result from numerous influences including poor nutrition, inactivity, low socio-economic status, parental influence, mental health, medical illness and other factors including genetics or heritability. American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry and Mayo Clinic offer simple reviews of the causes of childhood and teenage obesity.
A recent article in the journal Nature documents just one type of recently discovered genetic link to obesity that is estimated to occur in 1% of the population. The article states that although the rise in obesity prevalence is driven by environmental factors, there is considerable evidence that weight is highly heritable. Specific heritability factors in obesity are described in the article’s introduction. Maintaining awareness that not all obesity is purely environmentally linked can assist providers in identifying and treating obesity based upon cause.
Incidence and Prevalence
Washington State Prevalence
Findings from the 2004 Washington State Healthy Youth Survey show that 25% of children in grades 8, 10 and 12 are overweight or obese. Obesity disproportionately affects certain racial and ethnic group. Among Washington 10th graders, American Indians/Alaskan Natives, Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islanders, Hispanics and Blacks are overweight or obese. Read the Weighing In On Health and Fitness in Washington section of the State of Washington's Children 2006-2007.
National Incidence
Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) I (1971–1974) to NHANES 2003–2006 show increases in obesity and overweight among all age groups of children and youth:
- Among preschool-aged children, aged 2–5 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 5.0% to 12.4%.
- Among school-aged children, aged 6–11 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 4.0% to 17.0%.
- Among school-aged adolescents, aged 12–19 years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 6.1% to 17.6%.
- 12-19 year olds of Mexican American and non-Hispanic black heritage are more likely to be overweight or obese compared to non-Hispanic white youth.
Prevention and Treatment
Provider Obesity Toolkit, Pediatric Obesity Provider Packet, Expert Recommendations on Preventing and Treating Obesity
Find these tools and more at Children's Obesity Action Team (COAT) Resources. COAT is a multidisciplinary group of health-care professionals that works to increase awareness, provide education and resources and act to decrease childhood obesity. COAT is dedicated to the development of culturally responsive and age-appropriate resources for families and providers.
Offer Children and Families a Daily Checklist to Help Healthy Habits Stay on Track
Sacred Heart Children's Hospital offers a Personal Checklist of Things You Can Do to eat right and get fit. Showing children and parents how to use the Daily Checklist and checking back with them can help them see their progress on healthy eating and activity.
Affordable Nutrition—Where to Find it in Seattle-King County
Where can families do their grocery shopping to find the most affordable, yet nutrient rich foods? The Center for Public Health Nutrition at the University of Washington completed a comparison of supermarket food prices in Seattle-King County. Fred Meyer proved to be the least expensive market among seven grocery stores studied. CPHN's July 2009 research brief summarizes results of a study that used a market basket of 100 foods to examine (1) whether food prices within a given supermarket chain varied by store location, and (2) whether the same 100 foods cost more in different store chains. Read the full brief.
Obesity Prevention Starts at Home—and in Child Care or Early Learning Centers
Child care providers are key conduits in assuring early learning of healthy eating and exercise habits. Exchange of information between parents and child care providers is one way to assure both home and child care follow sound health habits. The Center for Public Health at the University of Washington offers one and two page flyers such as Why Childcare Matters for Obesity Prevention and Best Practices for Nutrition, Physical Activity & Screen Media in Childcare Settings.
Child care providers can find a wealth of technical assistance, intervention, evaluation and informational materials on childcare obesity prevention programs from Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Childcare Providers Intervention Materials at the Center of Excellence for Training and Research Translation.
Washington State Happenings
Strong Kids/Strong Teens—King and Snohomish Counties and Olympia
Strong Kids (8y-11y) Strong Teens (12y-14y) is a YMCA-based healthy lifestyles program for overweight (≥85th percentile BMI) youth and their adult family members. Developed by Seattle Children's Obesity Action Team (COAT) and the Greater Seattle YMCA, this 18 week program includes physical activities, hands–on nutrition education, and motivational coaching. Provider referral is required. See the program flyer and referral form for instructions. YMCA membership is free for the family during the program! For more information see an overview of the program. Programs begin January and February of 2010 at YMCAs in Greater Seattle, Snohomish County and Olympia. For more information contact your local YMCA, or Seattle Children's Mary Jones Verbovski, MS, RD or Patty Hencz, RN.
Spread the Word about Washington Action for Healthy Kids
Washington Action for Healthy Kids sponsors numerous school and community events to help children and youth learn about healthy foods and activity. They recently offered a chance to win a Super Bowl Dream Package to everyone who participated in their Healthy Kids 2009 campaign. Fifty percent of all money raised in Washington stays in Washington to create environments where kids can develop lifelong habits that promote health and learning. Join the Washington team to help promote lifelong health habits.
Improving Health with Nutrition and Physical Activity in Washington State
With funds from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Washington State Department of Health and its partners have created a Washington State Nutrition & Physical Activity Plan. Schools, communities, health care providers and work sites are all involved in the Plan. Did you know all school districts in Washington State have a Wellness Policy? Read about Wellness Policy, physical education, nutrition services and more at Coordinated School Health in Washington State.
Obesity Research Study—COMPASS
Seattle Children’s is starting a new research study to help families find healthy ways to manage weight. The name of the study is COMPASS - Comprehensive Maintenance Program to Achieve Sustained Success. COMPASS is enrolling children 7 - 11 years old who are heavy for their age and have at least one parent who is overweight. Children and parents receive free behavioral weight-management treatment sessions for one year. For more information, contact Gaby Ghafari at (206) 884-6312 or gabrielle.ghafari@seattlechildrens.org.
Useful Obesity Web Pages
If you have time for only one or two web visits, these are the web pages for you:
Need a quick study on childhood obesity, including local statistics and information? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Obesity and Overweight web pages contain a body mass index (BMI) calculator, information on causes of obesity, state data and statistics, state programs, prevention and treatment recommendations, and more.
Obesity publications, newsletters, online discussion groups—it’s all available at MCH Library Knowledge Path: Overweight and Obesity in Children and Adolescents.
News—Story Network, Family Advisors, Oral Health
Story Network
For parents of children and teens with health conditions or disabilities: Story Network is here—Your story is part of the Network. Real stories from real families living well with a child or teen with a health condition or disability. Enjoy stories, poems and pictures from families and share your own. Read “Hero Badge”, “The Slap”, “Carolina’s Story” and more. Be part of a community of strength and hope.
Please tell parents and colleagues to visit and spread the word about the Story Network!
Involving Families as Advisors
Looking for ways to involve families in your work? Use CSHCN.org's Involving Families as Advisors information to learn four basic steps to guide you:
- Decide what kind of family involvement will work best for your organization
- Recruit the right people
- Prepare and facilitate the involvement
- Follow up and closure
Use the Center’s Project Planning Worksheet for Involving Families to get started.
Families in your practice or families with whom you work may seek to become a parent who “makes a difference” in the lives of others. Tell parents and family members about Becoming a Family Advisor from Seattle Children’s Center for Children with Special Needs. Families will find guidance and tips about:
- Opportunities to become a family advisor
- Deciding if an opportunity is the right fit for you
- How much to share about your child and family
- Educating others by telling your story
- Giving feedback and sharing your ideas at meetings
Oral Health for Children with Special Needs
Children and youth with special needs may have unique issues when it comes to caring for the health of their teeth, gums, and mouth. Visit CSHCN.org's Dental Care for Children with Special Needs to read more about:
- Common Dental Concerns: learn how your child's health condition may affect her/his oral health
- Tips for a Healthy Mouth: get tips for daily tooth care and help for challenging situations
- Going to the Dentist: find out when to start, how to find the right dentist and prepare your child
- Resource List: find links to more information on dental care for children with special needs.
Produced by the Center for Children with Special Needs, a program of Seattle Children’s with support from the Washington State Department of Health, Children with Special Health Care Needs Program.