Children and Obesity

This is a reasearch project I completed for Journalism 50, Electronic
InformationSources. The project researched the causes, recent trends,
and treatments for obesity in children.

Section I Introduction of Topic and Keywords

Section II Books, Videotapes and CD-ROMS from UNC-CH Libraries

Section III Electronic Indexes and Databases Sources

Section IV Web Sources

Section V Internet Mini-Essay

Section I: Introduction of Topic and Keywords  

A. Introdution of Topic

My research topic is obesity in children. I do not know much about this topic and have decided to
research it for a sociology project. I do know that many different causes for obesity have been
discovered and debated, such as genetic factors to the influence of television. Through my research
I want to learn the major causes of obesity as well as the effects it has on the child and their family.
I also want to learn the various methods for treating childhood obesity and if left untreated what
problems it can cause later in life.My audience for this research is college students who are
interested in the field of sociology. The audience is mainly composed of college freshmen,
sophomores, and juniors.


B. Keywords

UNC Library catalog:
• Obesity AND child(?)
• Obesity and adolescents
• (children or adolescents) and obesity

Academic Universe Lexis Nexis
• obesity w/5 child!
• Obesity AND child

Search engine on Web <http://www.google.com>
• Obesity and children
• Obesity and internet
• Obesity and technology
• Obesity and causes

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Section II: Books, Videotapes and CD-ROMs from UNC-CH Libraries

Print Sources:

  • Burniat, Walter, ed. Child and Adolescent Obesity: Causes and Consequences,
    Prevention and Management. Cambridge, NY: Cambridge University Press,
    2002. Health Sciences Library WD 210 C536.
  • Parizkova, Jana. Childhood Obesity: Prevention and Treatment. Boca Raton, FL: CRC
    Press, 2001. Health Sciences Library WD 210 P234.

Non-Print Sources:

  • Smith, J. Clinton. Understanding Childhood Obesity. Jackson: University Press of
    Mississippi, 1999. Electronic Book netLibrary.

Reason for choosing these sources:

  • I chose these sources because all three were published recently and contain current information.
    Also the three sources each provided an overview of the causes, effects, treatment, and prevention
    of obesity in children. While the books did overlap in a few areas each contained information
    the others did not.

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Section III: Electronic Indexes and Databases Sources

 

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Section IV: Web Sources

  • About Obesity and Children
    Brief description: This site provides links to a number of in-depth studies on obesity. As well as
    links to sites for general information. The site is part of the D.B. Brown Research Chair on Obesity
    site, which contains information and links to information on the problem of obesity as well as
    resources related to the subject. The site also gives links to weight loss programs specifically
    designed for children.
    Source of Web site: D.B. Brown Research Chair on Obesity
  • American Obesity Association
    Brief description: This site provides information on obesity as well as news updates for the latest
    information on treating and dealing with obesity. The site has a specialized are relating specifically
    to children, but the web site as a whole provides valuable information on obesity.
    Source of Web site: American Obesity Association

  • Obesity in Children and Teens
    Brief description: This web site is arranged in the format of a fact sheet. It is designed for families
    so the language is easy to understand and information is organized in a user friendly manner.
    The web site also provides links to related sites on eating disorders, nutrition and other health problems.
    Source of Web site: The American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
  • Overweight and Obesity
    Brief description: This web site is a list of links to government documents and research on obesity.
    It includes the surgeon general’s recent report on obesity as well as press releases and fact sheets.
    The site also provides links to related health areas.
    Source of Web site: The Office of the Surgeon General, U.S. Public Health Service, and U.S.
    Department of Health and Human Services
  • The Oprah Winfrey Show: Obesity Resources
    Brief description: This site contains links to all the information presented on The Oprah Winfrey
    Show November 14, 2002. This site provides access to all the information presented on the show.
    It is a good source because the information focuses mainly on how the problem of obesity affects
    children and their family. It gives a more personal view of obesity.
    Source of Web site: The Oprah Winfrey Show

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Section V: Internet Mini-Essay


Fighting Obesity with a Cause


As obesity rates among children across the globe rise, parents and doctors alike are beginning
to blame technology. Television, computers, and the internet have recently been criticized for contributing
to obesity in children and adolescents. But can the problem be solved using these tools of technology?

In the past three decades, childhood obesity has doubled and 22 percent of children are considered overweight
(1).Children lead sedentary lifestyles spending 24 hours a week watching television and additional
hours surfing the web and playing computer games (1). Before the time of computers children participated
in sports and spent their leisure hours outdoors, but in recent years that has changed. Even schools have
decreased physical education programs (3). Television and videogames are a more appealing leisure activity.

So what is the solution to this problem? The Center for Sciences in the Public Interest, CSPI, is fighting
obesity using one of its culprits, the internet. The organization has launched the web site Smart-Mouth.org
to teach children about health and nutrition. The site encourages interaction between children and the
food industry. The site even offers a letter form children can use to send to Burger King of McDonalds to
encourage them to use healthier products (2).

Children today live in a society in which they are bombarded with advertisements for junk food and computer
games (3) so it is no surprise obesity levels have risen. Kids have become inactive because of the appeal of
television and computers (3). The CSPI hopes to counteract this trend with its new web site (2). A number
of other similar web sites are available which teach children about health and nutrition. Only time will tell
if these web sites will have an affect on the number of obese children.

Notes:
(1) Broadwater, Holly Renee. “Reshaping the Future for Overweight Kids.” RN 65, no
11 (November 2002): 36-42. Database on-line. Available from North
Carolina Libraries for Virtual Education, Infotrac
<
http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/cgibin/external_database_auth?A=P|F=Y|ID=397|
URL=http://www.nclive.org/cgi-bin/nclsm?rsrc=128
>. [25 January 2002].

(2) “Web Effort Against Childhood Obesity Draws Ire of Food Industry.” PR Week
(30 September 2002): 3. Database on-line. Available from EBSCOHost,
Health Source Consumer Edition
<
http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/cgibin/external_database_auth?A=P|F=Y|
ID=131|URL=http://www.nclive.org/cgi-bin/nclsm?vend=1
>. [25 January 2002].

(3) Jacobson, Michael F. “Slimmer Kids? We’re Trying.” Nutritional Action Health
Letter 29, no 10 (December 2002): 2-3. Database on-line. Available from
EBSCOHost, Health Source Consumer Edition <
http://eresources.lib.unc.edu/cgibin/external_database_auth?A=P|F=Y|ID=131|URL=
http://www.nclive.org/cgi-bin/nclsm?vend=1
>. [25 January 2002].

Related Web sites:

  • Is technology making the digital generation obese?
    Brief description: This site provides evidence linking technology and obesity. It describes how
    different aspects of technology cause obesity in different ways. The site explores if the digital
    generation will end up dangerously overweight.
    Source of Web site: PageWise Incorporated
  • Smart Mouth
    Brief description: This is an interactive site designed to teach children about nutrition and healthy
    eating. The site educates children through interaction. It provides games and video clips as well as factual information.
    Source of Web site: The Center for Sciences in the Public Interest
  • FirstGov for Kids
    Brief description: This web site provides links to different health related web sites designed for children.
    The links include games, organizations, and educational sites. It is easy for children to use and is
    very appealing to a child’s eye.
    Source of Web site: FirstGov.gov, The U.S. Government’s Official Web Portal

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