Sameera Karnik’s research while affiliated with American Public University System and other places

Background: Childhood obesity rates in the United States have skyrocketed thus making it a major public health concern. The impact of childhood obesity is also reflected on the economic status of the country and is leading to increased health care spending. Public health policies, laws and other intervention policies can have a substantial impact on preventing and reducing childhood obesity rates. Public health policies play a crucial role in changing the physical and social environment to promote healthy behavior. The purpose of this article was to conduct a narrative review of childhood obesity as a public health issue of prime importance and address some of the public health policies implemented at the federal and the state level which can assist in the development and implementation of future policies related to childhood obesity prevention. Methods: In order to collect materials for this review a detailed open search of various databases was carried out and relevant articles were narratively summarized. Results: Lobbying and advocacy efforts to prevent and reduce childhood obesity can encourage policymakers and public healthcare practitioners to devise effective public health policy interventions to address this very important public health issue.

Childhood obesity is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally. The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased over few years. It is caused by imbalance between calorie intake and calories utilized. One or more factors (genetic, behavioral, and environmental) cause obesity in children. Physical, psychological, and social health problems are caused due to childhood obesity. Hence, effective intervention strategies are being used to prevent and control obesity in children. The purpose of this manuscript is to address various factors influencing childhood obesity, a variety of interventions and governmental actions addressing obesity and the challenges ahead for managing this epidemic. In order to collect materials for this review a detailed search of CINAHL, MEDLINE, ERIC, Academic Search Premier databases was carried out for the time period 1999-2011. Some of the interventions used were family based, school based, community based, play based, and hospital based. The effective school-based interventions were seen targeting physical activity along with healthy diet education. The major challenges faced by these intervention programs are financial, along with stigmatization of obese children. Governments along with other health care organizations are taking effective actions like policy changing and environmentally safe interventions for children to improve physical activity. In conclusion, childhood obesity can be tackled at the population level by education, prevention and sustainable interventions related to healthy nutrition practices and physical activity promotion.