Understanding the Family Can Improve Weight Loss Intervention
Understanding family dynamics can improve weight loss intervention programs. And this understanding can mean even more to single-parent households than dual-parent households, since single-parent household are generally hit harder by obesity.
A study, done by the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHAMES ), shows that single-parent households have higher levels of childhood obesity than dual-parent households. Further, lower income appears to be a factor in the elevated level of single-parent household childhood obesity.
While the researchers concluded that "children of single-parent households were significantly... more over weight than children of dual-parent households," more research needs to be done to determine why this is the case. And the researchers suggested that when obesity intervention programs are planned, parents ought to be included in the planning process, even though, often, they aren't.
Indeed, to fight obesity in the community, it is important to get families involved in the weight-loss process. Moreover, it is important to learn about the families and their culture. There is already ongoing research into how to get families involved in weight loss programs. For example, in our 9/3/2010 blog post, we reported on an obesity-fighting program that gets families in the community involved in the program by using dance as a primary vehicle. To promote involvement, gospel music, an important element in the families' culture, was the music the dancers danced to.
We believe that the gap in obesity rates between single-parent and dual-parent households can be closed by understanding both the single-parent and the dual-parent households. Understanding each family as a unique entity, and as a part of a culture and community, can enable obesity intervention designers to establish effective weight loss intervention programs. Medical weight loss practitioners can play a leading role in this endeavor.
(Please leave a comment by clicking on the "COMMENTS" link at the lower right part of this blog post. SUBSCRIBE to this blog by scrolling to the bottom of this page and entering your email address.)--------------------------------------------------
posted by Information Uncover at
4:32 AM
Comments:
More likely, the reason why children of single-parent household suffers more than dual-parent is that, a single mom/dad will go to work and let their kids stay at home with more foods, indoor game boards, psp, computer. Something that will keep their kids inside the house thing.. got it? Anyway, Phoenix bariatric surgeons also stated that, these cases usually occur right after the separation of the parents.
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home