RLO: Childhood obesity

Behavioural model

The behavioural model looks at the behaviour of the child, and makes changes to the ‘bad’ behaviours contributing to their obesity and subsequent poor health. It seeks to explain obesity by looking at the balance between energy consumption and energy expenditure.

Here, fast food diets, high in fat and sugar; sedentary lifestyles and the emergence of a snacking culture are firmly blamed for the obesity epidemic.

The treatment is simple – inform and educate! Clients are asked to take control of their lives – to behave appropriately.

As these ‘bad’ behaviours are thought to be established in childhood, early infancy is often seen as the most obvious time to consider obesity intervention. Clients are encouraged through policy and/or practitioner intervention, to eat more fresh fruit; cook using fresh, preferably organic ingredients and to eat meals together away from the television or home computer.  

Nationally, this model would advocate: an increase in the time allotted to physical education (both in and outside of schools), a balanced approach to the advertising of children’s food, healthy meal options in school canteens and vending machines (think of Jamie’s School Dinners), clearer food labelling, gym membership, parental education and firmer control of children…

The behavioural model often blames the victim for their obesity, accusing clients or their carers of making bad lifestyle choices.

 

When you've completed this section, click the next button button on the media player, or click the ‘Socioeconomic model’ tab above to continue.