According to the World Health Organization, health is described as the complete state of physical, mental, and social well-being, and not the just the absence of disease and infirmity”, (AJOT). Because disease in general, encompasses many areas of affliction, it has been a primary concern of America to maintain the total wellness of its citizens. There have been numerous initiatives implemented to address different diseases and the general infliction of disease, broad-spectrum. But many of these programs overlook small details and instead, only address one large issue. One of the rising epidemics is childhood obesity.
In 2012, more than one-third of children and adolescents in America, ranging from ages 6-19, were reported to be obese. There are many factors that contribute to this growing epidemic, and one of the most important is the child’s environment. Ecological sustainability, a potential occupational therapy wellness approach, pushes to promote healthy relationships between humans; other living organisms; and their environments, habits, and modes of life, (Scaffa, 2010, p. 116). The home, school, and even today’s media can shape the eating habits of today’s youth. “Young adults who go to …show more content…
Many families are now keeping logs of what they are eating, or even “prepping”, (cooking their meals for the week on Sunday or Monday nights, and portioning them out to be nutritionally beneficial) their dinners and meals. In addition, families can focus on refraining from serving meals “family style”, (in large portions, to be passed around at the dinner table). Families are also controlling the “snacking habits” of their children. They are not allowing their children to eat anywhere other than a designated area, and are not giving children snacks as a way of rewarding them (Scaffa, 2010,
In 2012, more than one-third of children and adolescents in America, ranging from ages 6-19, were reported to be obese. There are many factors that contribute to this growing epidemic, and one of the most important is the child’s environment. Ecological sustainability, a potential occupational therapy wellness approach, pushes to promote healthy relationships between humans; other living organisms; and their environments, habits, and modes of life, (Scaffa, 2010, p. 116). The home, school, and even today’s media can shape the eating habits of today’s youth. “Young adults who go to …show more content…
Many families are now keeping logs of what they are eating, or even “prepping”, (cooking their meals for the week on Sunday or Monday nights, and portioning them out to be nutritionally beneficial) their dinners and meals. In addition, families can focus on refraining from serving meals “family style”, (in large portions, to be passed around at the dinner table). Families are also controlling the “snacking habits” of their children. They are not allowing their children to eat anywhere other than a designated area, and are not giving children snacks as a way of rewarding them (Scaffa, 2010,