Article Critique
Parental
Depression and Child Obesity in African American Children
By Jake Kohl
Abstract
This paper explores a published article on research
that affects parental depression, family functioning, and obesity among African
American children. This critique shows a correlation between obesity in African
American children and the relationship of the nuclear family and how parental
behavior affects the development of children.
The study focuses on several factors within the lifestyle of both parent
and child, and explores the risks associated with obesity, and how it relates
to factors of parental social and psychological influence. According to Johns
Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health (2010, August 19) “The increases in
adiposity were more pronounced in some sex-ethnic groups such as black girls.” This
ethnic and gender accounts for 54.5% of the case study presented. As we will
see from the article, African American children are at greater risk of internal
and external health risks associated with obesity. Furthermore, obesity is
shown to have a profound impact on the psychological development of children.
Findings show that according to the article, parents can pave the way for
healthier children if they become more aware of their own underlying health
risks associated with depression, as well as looking at the impact on the
conditions the child experiences throughout their life.
Obesity in America is at an all-time high.
We can look out into the streets and see more than half who are overweight and
obese. We can look at the counters in restaurants verses the counters at the
fitness center. We see more people walking than running. In America, children
who are obese are becoming the norm, and while the parent’s view of their
children being obese was unacceptable (2011), the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
This article is based on the Bandura
Social Learning Theory in which a child’s behavior is not “modeled” after
someone else, but displays or imitates new behavior acquired by observing a
model. (Bandura, 1961) In the
correlational study between the variables of parental depression, family
factors, and child obesity, several methods of testing were required. In
this study 44 parent-child dyads completed measurements of height, weight,
depression, and body fat composition, in addition, parents completed a
demographic questionnaire, and instruments, which measured family functioning,
parental psychopathology, child behavior, and cardiovascular risks. The
instruments that were used in this research included, Beck Depression
Inventory II, the Child Behavior Checklist, the Family Assessment Device, and
the Cardiovascular Risk Reduction in Children Questionnaire. The child
completed the Child Depression Inventory. Each of these methods supported
evidence that coincides with the main point that there is a relation between
social environment, parental depression and child obesity.
According to the article, “The current
study reported a positive relationship between percentage of body fat for child
and internalizing behavioral problems with child body fat being a significant
predictor. Thus, increases in percentage of body fat for child predicted
increases in withdrawn, somatic complaints, anxious /depression, social
problems, thought problems, and attention problems” (2011). These internalizing
problems can affect the mood of a child who feels the need to overeat to make
up for what they perceive as a direct negative influence on their lives. All
methods used was based on both quantitative and qualitative research where all
participants were being studied to find out how family relates to obesity and
why obesity is affected by depression from a parent.
In looking at the article and the study, I
must reflect on the truth that obesity is just as common in this country among
all children, including white children as it is among “black” children. I
believe that the study shown in this article is somewhat incorrect because of
the methods used to determine the overall results. According to a research
journal on obesity, “The results of examination 2 showed no significant
differences between the races except that bone mineral density (BMD) was higher
in the African American children.” (Bray, Delany, Harsha, Volaufova, &
Champagne, 2001) The findings don’t seem to be entirely factual base with the use
of methods that were used. While the study was a random selection of
participants, the study didn’t account for other races as a whole.
When we look out into the classrooms, we
see an abundant amount of obese children between both races. While the lines at
the fast food restaurants are getting longer the playground and gym are
becoming obsolete. Many children spend their time in front of the TV, on the
computer, and/or playing video games, which is contributing to the growing
problem of obesity in our country. Parents do play an important role in the
development of their children. Children look to their parents to guide them and
teach them right from wrong; this is part of the nurturing process that will
develop their child’s cognitive abilities. If a child sees mommy who is also
obese, pulling into the drive thru at the local fast food joint, ordering a
value meal, super sized with an extra large soda, the child mimics this behavior
and applies it to a positive learning experience, especially if “mommy” is
happy when placing the order and/or eating the meal.
Many parents fail to realize that the
actions they take on any given subject in a way we form our culture is learned
behavior. The old saying is very true in this as, monkey see, monkey do. Children learn from what they see and
experience. Parents must be more informed in the role their behavior plays when
it comes to the development of the child’s behavior, including eating. Many
parents eat out of boredom or depression, which is carried from generation to
generation. This state of mind is being accepted as good to a child, and yet
when the child becomes an adult, it then becomes a problem of acceptable habit.
The cycle begins and continues throughout the generations, which is evident it
is getting worse.
In conclusion, while there is evidence
that supports obesity and a contributing factor of depression. It is equally
safe to conclude that obesity is not just more prevalent among African American
children, but with Caucasian children as well. The affects in development is
alarming when looking at self respect and moral influence of the child. The
social status and geographical location plays a huge role as well. Children are
influenced by both nature and nurture in their development, including eating
habits. Parents need to become more educated and aware of the behavior they set
for their children. They need to become more of a positive influence and seek
out the help from professionals when there is an obvious problem. Finally, the prospective
of biblical teaching is just as vital to the development of a child. The bible
states in Proverbs 22:6,
“Train up a
child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”
This speaks
volumes in how we can influence a child in the right way… or wrong!
References
Bandura, A., Ross, D., &
Ross, S. A. (1961). Transmission of aggression through imitation
Bray, G.A., Delany, J.P, Harsha,
D.W., Volaufova, J., & Champagne, C.M. (2001). Body composition of african
american and white children: a 2-year follow-up of the baroc study. Obesity
Research, 9(10), 605–621.
Davis, M., Young, L., Davis, S.
P., & Moll, G. (2011). Parental Depression, Family Functioning, and Obesity
among African American Children. ABNF Journal, 22(1), 4-8. Retrieved
from EBSCOhost.
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