Addressing childhood obesity in America: Analysis of four nationally available health programs and future recommendations

Millions of children in America suffer from childhood obesity, a dangerous condition that has grown tremendously over the past century. The purpose of this project was to analyze four nationally available health programs that address childhood obesity and determine how effective they have been. Literature from peer-reviewed sources was analyzed and data collected on topics relating to childhood obesity. Case studies---where available---for each program were evaluated to assist in concluding if the program successfully met its intended outcomes. Because obesity can strain the health care economy via increased health care spending and contraction of additional obesity-related diseases, decreasing the affect on the health care economy is one of the many purposes for creating these health programs. The four programs of significance that were evaluated included: We Can!; Let's Move!; the National School Lunch Program; and the Summer Food Service Program. These four programs were created to decrease the rate of childhood obesity by positively affecting children's health outcomes and the state of the health care economy. Childhood obesity was an important topic to research because of how pervasive this concern has become. The type of research conducted in this project can also be applied to other health concerns affecting children. Stakeholders interested in this type of programmatic review would include parents, school officials, policymakers, community and health organizations, and health care providers. The findings and analysis showed that although the programs may have individually met some of their intended outcomes, most of the programs did not meet their stated outcomes to a degree that has positively affected the rate of childhood obesity. Recommendations extrapolated from reviewing the programs were compiled as a guide for future health care administrators looking to address childhood obesity.;Keywords: Health Care Administration, Dr. Gail Young, NSLP, SFSP, SWOT Analysis.