Stress as a Contributing Factor for Pediatric Obesity: Literature Review and Internship Experience

Author

Jessica HandleyFollow

Date of Graduation

12-2021

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Bachelor of Science in Nursing

Degree Level

Undergraduate

Department

Nursing

Advisor/Mentor

Shreve, Marilou

Committee Member/Reader

Dunbar, Diana

Abstract

This article is an examination of how stress drives diet and physical activity behaviors that contribute to pediatric obesity in the United States. An increasing rate of childhood obesity is being reported in the United States and therefore a multitude of studies and reviews have been conducted on the topic. This review of the literature systematically analyzes how stress, diet, and physical activity behaviors contribute to this rising rate of pediatric obesity. An analysis of the chosen articles for review indicates that stress and its counterpart (resilience) tend to be driving forces in how American children and adolescents participate in their diet and physical activity practices. In order for pediatric obesity rates to decrease, a more in-depth evaluation and implementation of stress-reduction amongst American youth and their family units must be obtained, thereby causing healthier nutrition and activity behaviors.

Keywords

Obesity, child obesity, pediatric obesity, stress, diet, physical activities

Citation

Handley, J. (2021). Stress as a Contributing Factor for Pediatric Obesity: Literature Review and Internship Experience. The Eleanor Mann School of Nursing Undergraduate Honors Theses Retrieved from https://scholarworks.uark.edu/nursuht/134