Critical Analysis: Obesity in Children

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A Critical Review of “Raising Healthy Children: Moral and Political Responsibility for Childhood Obesity” Using current research and public health strategies, Purcell (2010) analysed and criticized an up to date approach in addressing childhood obesity. This study aimed to provide the highlights of research studies findings and recommendations for prevention and treatment of childhood obesity in North America. Purcell (2010) emphasized that this public health issue has become an epidemic, but until now, the solution remained intangible. Prevention and strategies need to be put in place urgently to slow down and reverse this upsurge in obesity. Encouraging individuals to make healthy choices may have some impact, but because of the magnitude of the issue according to Purcell (2010), it is insignificant. While the study does not underestimate the importance of lifestyle self-management, but it does argue that at this point of the crisis it is not sufficient, when children’s health is in jeopardy. Purcell (2010) claims that by sustaining a traditional liberal approach of the public - private divide, legal obligations of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the child are neglected. This study provides moral and political challenges about childhood obesity by exploring limitations of existing political and health responses to this health issue. Results of this study provide some excellent insights regarding the importance of recognizing the need to change the current approach to childhood obesity; however, Purcell’s argument fails to be persuasive for several reasons: she makes assumption that most North American children eat fast food and spend a lot of time involved in sedentary activities, thus they are obese; believes parents are educated about unhealthy foods but struggle to provide healthier food choices for their children due to many reasons; and

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