Fighting an epidemic: The role of schools in reducing childhood obesity.

This article discusses obesity among children and adolescents. It talks about how it is now a major public health concern, affecting not only physical health, but emotional health of all youth. Schools and communities have now begun to address this epidemic by obtaining quality empirical information to guide their policy, programming, and intervention efforts. This article reviews the definition of childhood obesity and the physical, psychosocial, and academic consequences of obesity among youth. The roles of schools and school psychologists in intervening against this overwhelming trend are discussed as well as current empirically based programs. Schools are recommended to take a comprehensive, multifaceted approach to school policies and programs to increase nutrition and physical activity. My personal reaction towards this article was excitement. I'm excited because they are finally discussing what type of effect being obsessed can have on children emotionally. We all know what it does physically, but emotionally it also takes a huge toll on them! Some children may feel like it's not their fault, they blame their parents or even family history. Some children may not even understand why they are overweight, or feel ashamed by it. That's why I feel like as a school counselor, this is where I would need to step in. Being able to consol, and talk to students about body positivity and taking a spin on what they view as “healthy” living. I would be able to give them information about obesity, and what it looks like to be healthy. This would help me to be a better counselor in a way where I can discuss obesity in a non judgmental way.