Mahurin Honors College Capstone Experience/Thesis Projects

Department

Public Health

Document Type

Thesis

Abstract

There are disparities that exist between public health and personal health care in addressing childhood obesity. Public health efforts to reduce the prevalence of this epidemic have focused on preventive strategies because a coordinated system of health care to address the treatment of obesity in children does not exist. For children who are already overweight, these strategies are not enough. What programs do exist are typically fee-for-service. This study examines the ethics and implications of the disparities that exists in our nation, as well as the role socioeconomic status plays in adolescent overweight and obesity and its primary behavior risk factors. Students from low-socioeconomic status were more likely to lack health insurance and access to care. They also had increased risks of being overweight or obese partly due to their living environment. This demonstrates the need for more joint health efforts, such as community based programs and affordable access to multi-disciplinary partnerships.

Disciplines

Medicine and Health Sciences | Public Health

Download

Included in

Public Health Commons

Share

COinS