Case: 8 year old overweight male foster child with normal weight foster parents and overweight biological parents.
include the following:
1.Introduction
2.An explanation of the health issues and risks that are relevant to the child you were assigned.
3.Describe additional information for assessment you would need in order to further assess his or her weight-related health.
4.Identify and describe any risks and consider what further information you would need to gain a full understanding of the child’s health. Think about how you could gather this information in a sensitive fashion. Identifying Risks and Gathering Sensitive Information
5.Taking into account the parents’ and caregivers’ potential sensitivities, list at least three specific questions you would ask about the child to gather more information. Specific Questions for Information Gathering
6.Provide at least two strategies you could employ to encourage the parents or caregivers to be proactive about their child’s health and weight.
Full Answer Section
The child's weight has been a concern since he was placed in foster care. He is currently at the 95th percentile for weight for his age and height. This means that he is heavier than 95% of other children his age.
Health Issues and Risks
Being overweight or obese can lead to a number of health problems, including:
- Heart disease
- Stroke
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Sleep apnea
- Certain types of cancer
- Fatty liver disease
- Osteoarthritis
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
Being overweight or obese can also increase the risk of injury, such as during sports or physical activity.
Additional Information for Assessment
In order to further assess the child's weight-related health, I would need to gather additional information, such as:
- The child's height, weight, and body mass index (BMI)
- The child's eating habits
- The child's activity level
- The child's family history of obesity-related health problems
- The child's overall health status
I would also need to do a physical examination of the child, including checking his blood pressure, heart rate, and blood sugar levels.
Recommendations
Based on the information gathered, I would make the following recommendations for the child:
- See a doctor to rule out any underlying medical conditions that may be contributing to his weight gain.
- Work with a registered dietitian to develop a healthy eating plan.
- Increase the child's physical activity level.
- Make changes to the child's environment to make it easier for him to make healthy choices, such as providing healthy snacks and limiting access to unhealthy foods.
- Provide the child with support and encouragement as he makes changes to his lifestyle.
It is important to remember that weight loss is a gradual process and that it takes time and effort. However, with the right support, the child can make healthy changes and improve his weight-related health.