Publication Date
2012
Document Type
Dissertation
Committee Members
Larry James (Committee Member), Janeece Warfield (Committee Chair), Julie Williams (Committee Member)
Degree Name
Doctor of Psychology (PsyD)
Abstract
In the past two decades, the prevalence of childhood obesity has risen throughout the world. Factors that put children at risk for childhood obesity include genetics, parental weight and lifestyle, gender, age, and socioeconomic status. Various disciplines address treatment of childhood obesity differently. For example, the medical community focuses on potential consequences of childhood obesity; the mental health field conceptualizes the issue behaviorally, and social work research highlights the sociopolitical factors of the issue. Results of a needs assessment performed in the Dayton, Ohio and Montgomery County region from 2009-2010 revealed a lack of collaboration between various disciplines involved in the treatment of obese children in addition to a lack of parental knowledge and involvement. Furthermore, research currently lacks a model for identifying and treating childhood obesity collaboratively. This dissertation reviews the current literature on the prevalence of childhood obesity as well as the risk factors. It proposes a multi-disciplinary resource guide designed to assist healthcare providers and clinicians as well as to increase access to information and services for parents. Much of the focus of the resource guide is on empowering parents to teach their children the importance of a healthy lifestyle.
Page Count
116
Department or Program
School of Professional Psychology
Year Degree Awarded
2013
Copyright
Copyright 2012, all rights reserved. This open access ETD is published by Wright State University and OhioLINK.
