Discussion 2: Ethics, Legality, Policies

Discussion 2

Ethics, Legality, Policies

Early-childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions, particularly among low-income, minority, urban children. One’s socioeconomic status is measured by occupation, education, income, wealth, and place of residence (dictionary.com 2013).  It has been found that lower socioeconomic status is associated with mortality, chronic and acute conditions, and self-rated health (Kennedy 1998). Adolescents in low-income families remain at a disadvantage than those in middle-and higher-income families. Dissimilarities were found between poor adolescents and their counterparts in middle- and higher-income families. Researchers have found that poor and low-income adolescents are more likely than their more affluent peers to be in fair or poor health, have limitations in their activities, have behavioral or emotional problems because they are uninsured, have no usual source of care, face financial hardships causing them to go without medical or dental care (Goodman 1999).In my opinion, I believe the creation of this public policy is very necessary as well as ethical. Aiding in a healthy lifestyle is very beneficial to children as well as their parents.  

Reference:

Kennedy BP, Kawachi I, Glass R, Prothrow-Stith D. Income distribution, socioeconomic status, and self rated health in the United States: multilevel analysis.BMJ. 1998 Oct 3; 317(7163):917-21.

Socioeconomic status | Define Socioeconomic status at Dictionary.com. (n.d.). Dictionary.com – Free Online English Dictionary. Retrieved September 7,2017, from http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/socioeconomic+status

Goodman, E. (1999). The role of socioeconomic status gradients in explaining differences in US adolescents’ health. American Journal of Public Health, 89(10), 1522-1528.