ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET
STUDENT DETAILS
Student name: Nguyễn Võ Anh Thư Student ID number: 22003924
UNIT AND TUTORIAL DETAILS
Unit name: Business Academic Skills Unit number:
Tutorial/Lecture: Class day and time:
Lecturer or Tutor name: Pascal Chabot
ASSIGNMENT DETAILS
Title: Individual report
Length: 15 Due date: 8/4/2023 Date submitted: 7/4/2023
DECLARATION
✓
I hold a copy of this assignment if the original is lost or damaged.
✓I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been copied from any other student’s work
or from any other source except where due acknowledgement is made in the assignment.
✓
I hereby certify that no part of this assignment or product has been submitted by me in another
(previous or current) assessment, except where appropriately referenced, and with prior permission
from the Lecturer / Tutor / Unit Coordinator for this unit.
✓No part of the assignment/product has been written/ produced for me by any other person except
where collaboration has been authorised by the Lecturer / Tutor /Unit Coordinator concerned.
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I am aware that this work may be reproduced and submitted to plagiarism detection software programs
for the purpose of detecting possible plagiarism (which may retain a copy on its database for future
plagiarism checking).
Student’s signature: Nguyen Vo Anh Thu
Note: An examiner or lecturer / tutor has the right to not mark this assignment if the above declaration has
not been signed.
TITLE PAGE
Community: Children in Vietnam increasingly suffer from obesity.
Nguyễn Võ Anh Thư
Western Sydney University
BAS-T123-WSB-8 Business Academic Skills
Mr. Pascal Chabot
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April 8, 2023
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Nowadays, due to the fast development of contemporary society which leads to the change in
children's lifestyles, more and more children tend to be affected negatively by obesity. To be
more specific, obesity can cause a lot of dangerous problems in children’s health system such as
diabetes, and high blood pressure, which can be easily seen in adults obese.
The purpose that this report aims to is to awaken people, raise their awareness about the
importance of this aspect, and also to encourage children to prevent the negative effects of
childhood obesity.
The report suggests that:
- The government should:
1. Create and organize events including more physical activities
2. Raise funds to increase awareness of children
3. Collab with other organizations, schools, and stakeholders to propagandize and raise
awareness of not only children but also adults
- The individuals should:
1. Increase their self-awareness
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2. Participate in more physical activities
3. Build up a reasonable healthy diet
This report will mainly concentrate on:
1. Giving an overview of the obesity problem.
2. Providing many causes and effects
3. Recommending solutions, and treatments for this serious issue.
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TABLE OF CONTENT
ASSIGNMENT COVER SHEET...................................................................................................................1
TITLE PAGE.............................................................................................................................................2
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY............................................................................................................................3
TABLE OF CONTENT................................................................................................................................5
INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................................6
PROBLEM DESCRIPTION.........................................................................................................................7
CONTEXT OF PROBLEM...........................................................................................................................8
CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM......................................................................................................................9
1. Lack of physical activities...................................................................................................................9
2. Consume unhealthy diet...................................................................................................................9
3. Environmental effects.....................................................................................................................10
4. Genetics...........................................................................................................................................10
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS...........................................................................................................................11
RECOMMENDATIONS...........................................................................................................................12
1. Seeking help from others:...............................................................................................................12
2. Limit sugary drinks:.........................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES.........................................................................................................................................13
APPENDICES.........................................................................................................................................15
1. International integration.................................................................................................................15
2. Lack of education............................................................................................................................15
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INTRODUCTION
Children's obesity is a serious public problem that the World Health Organization (WHO) has
alarmed a signal to residents all over the world, not only happens in high-income countries but
also in low-income countries (Roux, L., M., 2017). In fact, the definition of obesity is just simply
a state in that people have to suffer many risks from the increase in their weight, and its
prevalence is going on in children. According to Quynh, T., Anh, T. (2021), Vietnam record a
significant increase in childhood obesity in 2020, which doubled the figure in the past decade.
Moreover, it will be a mistake to overlook the dangers of childhood obesity due to the fact that it
brings a lot of serious effects to the health system, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and
fat in the blood and it is not except for the other internal organs issues. Therefore, recognizing
the problem and finding ways to address it is the most significant thing to do at this time. This
report will focus on giving a general overview of concepts, causes, and effects as well as other
detailed information. By delving into the problem from basic to deep reasons, it is possible to
understand childhood obesity’s origin and investigate how to prevent the negative effects of this
issue.
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PROBLEM DESCRIPTION
Childhood obesity is a tough problem that is under discussion day by day because of the harm
that its devastation brings to people’s health. In particular, obesity is just the way people have to
be in a condition of high weight. Besides, overweight is defined as a body mass index (BMI) of
25, and obesity as a BMI of greater than 30. According to Vinh, T. (2021), there are many
serious consequences that caused by obesity such as cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and
mental health problems like depression, anxiety, low-self esteem, all of which can adversely
affect people’s lifestyles, decreasing the quality of life and experiences. Therefore, it is necessary
to understand what factors caused the problem of childhood obesity and both society and
individuals should take the responsibility for conducting many effective solutions and treatments
to solve this problem.
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CONTEXT OF PROBLEM
A significant public health issue, childhood obesity, only appeared in the mid-20th century. The
1930s have the earliest instances of childhood obesity documented in the medical literature.
From the 1960s onward, experts observed a trend of childhood obesity that has continued to date.
If this tendency still continues to happen, it will bring a variety of serious detrimental problems
to the overall health conditions of not only adults but also children, who hold the future of human
beings. Some of the negative effects of health problems like diabetes, digestive problems,
cardiovascular disease, mental health, and other types of serious diseases, of which can play a
vital role in affecting the maintenance of contemporary society and the general health system of
residents. For example, it can cause chaos in society because of the increase in healthcare costs,
which leads to an economic crisis, indirectly affect to the lifestyle of people in Vietnam.
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CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM
Over the few past decades, there is an increase in the childhood obesity rate, which negatively
affects the healthcare system of children in Vietnam, and there is no signal for the stop of this
circumstance. In fact, children’s obesity can be considered a serious disease when there are so
many cases of health problems recorded because of obesity such as type 2 diabetes, digestive
problems, cardiovascular disease, mental health, internal organ issues, and other types of serious
diseases. Here are some original causes of childhood obesity that are needed to clarify:
1. Lack of physical activities
It can be seen clearly that most children nowadays rarely spend their time participating in
physical activities, instead of playing games or enjoying screen time (Anh, B., Dung, M.,
2022). There are numerous reasons behind this tendency. According to Spurr, C. (2022),
39% of primary students in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City are not physically active as
required due to the effects of advanced technology, 41% of secondary and high schools
students don’t have a sports sectors for organizing physical activities events. Hence, it is
impossible for students to have more opportunities to take part in out-door activities to
prevent the consequences of children’s obesity.
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2. Consume unhealthy diet
Due to the fast pace of life these days, which leads to the fact that the fast-food industry
is increasingly developed, decline the time for eating a healthy meal. Quynh, T. and Anh,
T. (2021) argued that there is considerable growth in fast food consumption by
Vietnamese children, which bring a lot of drawback to children's health, and contribute to
cause obesity. If this phenomenon is not going to be limited by the government or the
leaders of health and school organizations, it is difficult for us to prevent these
detrimental influences.
3. Environmental effects
Except for some reasons that come from individuals, environmental effects also play a
vital role in developing children’s obesity rate. In particular, schools in recent years tend
to be surrounded by a variety of fast food stores, which attract and gain so much attention
from children who go to school, partly affecting the children’s behavior and preference
for eating meals. Besides, there is also recommendations and advertisements that fast-
food business run and appear everywhere not only in the public but also on Watch-TV to
catch the attention of children. Therefore, the environment absolutely grounds to cause
obesity in children.
4. Genetics
Genetics is a very common reason why children have to suffer from obesity and it bases
on the medical areas.
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POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS
By delving into the many reasons that cause childhood obesity, it can be easily known
that both government and individuals should take the responsibility for this problem.
Firstly, it is noteworthy that the government should provide and create more physical
activities and events for children as well as motivate and encourage the school authorities
to organize and give more opportunities to their students. In addition, it is significant that
more concerns are needed to solve this problem, the government should raise the fund,
and spend more budget on raising awareness among their residents, not only children
who are going to schools but also adults because of the fact that a social problem just can
be addressed by society. Furthermore, the collaboration between government and other
organizations is also needed. For instance, the government can collab with a sports
organization to develop a product line that can be healthy for children and propagandize
many statements about keeping fit and preventing obesity.
Likewise, individual children can do a variety of things to improve their health and
prevent obesity such as taking part in more social activities. To be more specific, there
are so many outdoor activities that children can participate in like voluntary programs,
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dancing or singing clubs, and other entertaining activities such as climbing, sports, etc.
Additionally, children are able to raise self-awareness by setting up a healthy diet and
restricting fast-food and unhealthy food. By trying to change on the positive side, it is
possible for children to protect themselves from obesity issues.
RECOMMENDATIONS
In conclusion, childhood obesity is a tough issue that should be considered a serious
health problem due to the various consequences that it brings to the general society and
specific individuals. It is important to take advantage of many reasons and several
solutions to improve the current situation and address the long-term problem suggested
above. By comprehending childhood obesity, people can define the problem and make
good decisions for not only their physical health but also their mental health, preventing
more risks that are caused by children’s obesity. There are some recommendations:
1. Seeking help from others:
Finding support from others is also a clear-sighted recommendation for children
who suffer from obesity. In fact, it seems to be rare that children are of sound
mind when they recognize that they are in obesity. Therefore, support and advice
from others such as teachers, friends, parents, etc can be a good choice to help
obese children to calm down and work together to find out solutions and
treatments.
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2. Limit sugary drinks:
Nowadays, most children tend to consume fast-food together with soft drinks, If
fast food has high calories, there is no significant difference with soft drinks.
Instead of consuming soft drinks which include a lot of chemicals that are not
good for the health system, adults such as parents and teachers can encourage
them of using other types of drinks like juice, 0-calorie soft drinks, detox, etc.
REFERENCES
Anh, B., and Dung, My.(2022). “Ho Chi Minh City’s Overweight, Obesity Rate Doubles in 10
Years.” Tuoi Tre News.
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20221225/ho-chi-minh-citys-overweight-obesity-rate-
doubles-in-10-years/70594.html
Quynh, T., Anh, T.(2021). “Vietnam Records Surge in Childhood Obesity - VnExpress
International.” VnExpress International – Latest News, Business, Travel and Analysis from
Vietnam.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/news/vietnam-records-surge-in-childhood-obesity-
4263228.html
Roux, L., M. (2023). “Child Obesity Grows Tenfold since 1975: Study - VnExpress
International.” VnExpress International – Latest News, Business, Travel and Analysis from
Vietnam, 11 Oct. 2017,
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/world/child-obesity-grows-tenfold-since-1975-study-3653897.html
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Spurr, C. (2022). “Overweight, Obesity Threaten Future of Kids in Vietnam - VnExpress
International.” VnExpress International – Latest News, Business, Travel and Analysis from
Vietnam.
https://e.vnexpress.net/news/perspectives/overweight-obesity-threaten-future-of-kids-in-vietnam-
4510699.html
Tho, V.(2021). “Obesity Recorded in over 40% of Vietnam’s Urban Elementary School
Students: Survey.” Tuoi Tre News.
https://tuoitrenews.vn/news/society/20210613/obesity-recorded-in-over-40-of-vietnams-urban-
elementary-school-students-survey/61484.html#gallery
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APPENDICES
Overall, it can be seen clearly that childhood obesity is a very significant problem that should be
discussed and figured out more solutions to the problem. However, it is also necessary to
understand why children’s obesity appears for a long time and seems to continue to exist in the
future.
1. International integration
Nowadays, due to the fast development of contemporary society, it is easier for people all over
the world to contact and broaden their horizons with other cultures and civilizations. This is
similar to the case of Vietnam. Western culture integrates into Vietnam through both social
media and the tourism industry not only about fashion but also about food and beverages style,
which leads to the fact that more and more teenagers in modern society consume and enjoy this
Western lifestyle without any concerns about healthcare problems. Therefore, the phenomenon
of childhood obesity seems to be challenging to prevent and stop.
2. Lack of education
In these days, the state of uneducated parents still remained unchanged. In particular, because of
not receiving any educational courses or raising awareness, many parents cannot provide their
children with a clear-sighted point of view and detailed information about childhood obesity.
Some parents still hold the outdated viewpoint that fat is strong, and lucky without recognizing
the detrimental effects that it brings to children’s healthcare. Additionally, the lack of education
is also expressed in the way parents too love children to prevent their preference for an unhealthy
diet, which also leads to the development of childhood obesity in Vietnam.
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