Question

Jose, 7 years old, and his mother live alone in a one- bedroom apartment close to his school. Most afternoons Jose walks home alone, lets himself into their apartment, and watches television until his mother comes home from work. His favorite after-school snack consists of potato chips and a soda or fruit drink. For dinner, Jose's mother usually brings something home from a local fast food restaurant because she is "too tired to cook". She knows this isn't good for either one of them. Jose's mother is currently being treated for high blood pressure, and the pediatrician has expressed concern about Jose's continued weight gain. However, Jose's mother doesn't see how she can change anything given her work schedule and limited income.

If you were working with this family, list at least 2 suggestions for improving their health and safety? Please provide specific examples AND resources available in your community that can help Jose’s family.

For example, if your suggestion is that they should prepare healthy meals, please provide an example of how they can achieve this change.

Answer 1

In the short term Jose will be more apt to develop short-term sickness. He lacks the right vitamins that protect his immune system. He is more likely to get the flu, colds, etc... Jose is only eating junk food so I am sure his energy level probably rises quickly after eating all the simple carbohydrates but shortly thereafter will fall. He will have lower energy which can affect his motivation, attention span on school work during school and during homework time. In the long-term Jose will surely be affecting his growth and development. He is not getting the right nutrients to grow to what his full potential is. His brain and body might not grow and flourish to what they otherwise would have with the right nutrients. He is posing a risk in his future for diabetes, high blood pressure and other chronic diseases. I am sure if he continues as he is going he might form depression and again just like in short-term, lack of motivation.

In moving away from the purely physical complications of Jose's current lifestyle, I would like to spend some time discussing how his educational experience is being affected. "Children who are more nourished are 'typically more alert, attentive, physically active and better able to benefit from learning experiences". I have seen the impacts of poor nutrition on students in my own school. Many of our students only nutritionally significant meals are served at school. It is debatable whether or not school food should be considered nutritionally significant. In the short term, his ability to focus and remain current on the significant conceptual framework that is being presented at this age is in jeopardy. In addition, his time at home is being spent watching TV, not reading or interacting positively with others who can increase his exposure to learning. In the long term, these misses in 'building blocks' could affect his ability to keep up with his peers and move into more challenging course work.

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