Document Type
Portfolio
Publication Date
2020
Abstract
Obesity, a condition that negatively affects an individual’s physical and mental health, is a growing problem in Twin Falls, Idaho. Like the United States as a whole, Twin Falls County is experiencing an obesity crisis. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ([CDC], n.d), the national obesity rate has increased by 12% from 2000 to 2018. The Twin Falls County obesity rate has increased from 21% in 2011 to 33% in 2020 (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). While it took the nation 18 years to increase the obesity rate by 12% (CDC, n.d.), it only took Twin Falls 9 years to increase the obesity rate by 12% (County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, 2018). Unfortunately, obesity is not only an adult problem; 18.5% of children and adolescents experience obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], n.d.). According to the State of Childhood Obesity (n.d.), 12.7% of youth in Idaho, ages 10-17, have obesity. To understand the obesity crisis in Twin Falls, it is necessary to analyze it from a social-ecological model, which posits that human development is bidirectionally influenced on individual, family, peer, school, and community/cultural levels (Swearer & Hymel, 2015). Due to the severity of obesity related physical and mental health consequences and the rapidly increasing obesity rate, obesity prevention is needed for children in Twin Falls. This social change portfolio will outline the scope and consequences of childhood obesity, apply the social-ecological model to childhood obesity in Twin Falls, apply theories of prevention, discuss diversity and ethical considerations, and outline advocacy efforts.
