Reply to Chris' uni survey questions
Why & how Do People Become Overweight?
People have a genetic tendency to gain weight, either through an inherited metabolic rate - burning calories more slowly, or body type and size, the environment also plays a role, as does family habits. Do you think people do not realise they are overweight?
I think everyone is concious of their weight at some point, some people will not realise how much they are overweight as they might be the same as their family or they might not realise the consequences of being overweight and ignore it. Is being obese the same as being overweight?
I believe there is a point of overweight where it becomes a health risk which then changes into obesity. What are some of the social and health problems that are caused by being overweight or obese?
Some of the health problems I can think of are: cholesterol, blood disorders, joint and bone problems, breathing dificulties, and diabetes. Why is overweight and obesity increasing in Australian children?
Lack of physical activity coupled with high calorie, low-nutrient snacks and beverages and bigger portions of food then in previous generations. Why do Australian children make unhealthy food choices?
People turn to food for emotional reasons, such as when they feel upset, anxious, sad, stressed, or even bored, also the easy availability of convience foods provided by parents who are in a hurry. Why aren't Australian children getting enough physical activity?
Outdoor activity is severly limited for lower income families as organised sport is expensive, if both parents/sole parent is working full time they may not find time for child activities and it is dangerous for children to go to a park/beach alone.
Why are Australian families eating habits leading to children being overweight/obesity?
We no longer have the time to cook nutritious fulfilling meals and a poor diet can have an injurious impact on health.
In general, what is the relationship between parental feeding strategies and childhood obesity?
Children echo their parents behaviour, either consciously or sub consciously, if the parent is seen by the child as enjoying a particular type of food the child will echo and possibly extend that behaviour throughout their life. Are parental attitudes towards their own dietary intakes (Dietary restraint and disinhibition) associated with higher risk or prevalence of overweight among children?
I think they are, as the children will echo the parents behaviour thinking it is correct - until educated otherwise. This will have a negative effect on their bodies which will have adapted to best cope with the nutrient intake available and will never be capable of processing food normally. What is the relationship between household food insecurity and childhood overweight?
Living with household food insecurity would cause a child to consume whatever they could whenever they could, assuming there is a lot of food available and little physical activity for the child it has the pottential for obesity. Is parental encouragement/pressure to eat associated with higher risk or prevalence of overweight among children?
Only if the 'encouragement/ pressure' is pushing high amounts of the wrong type of foods. If the 'encouragement/pressure' is toward a healthy amount of the correct foodstuffs for the child's lifestyle it would be a good thing. Is parental restriction of highly palatable foods associated with higher risk or prevalence of overweight among children?
Restriction of highly palatable foods would lessen the overweight problem with children if children are not exposed to these foods they will not desire them as much, I think the actual act of consumption isn't as strong as the anticipation once you are conditioned to these type of foods.
Is parental control over child dietary intake associated with higher risk or prevalence of overweight among children?
If the control is there from the start of the chlids life it will make an impact whichever direction it is pointed. If the parentel control changes signifigantly after a number of years it may stimulate resistance or defience and have an adverse effect.
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