Scenario One:
Eleven-year-old Bobby is white and lives with his dad and nine-year-old brother in a rural area outside of a small town. There is one small discount store that carries everything from groceries to toys to bath towels. Bobby's mom recently died from breast cancer. The medical bills created financial difficulties for the family. Bobby's dad began working the night shift at the local turkey processing plant to obtain the shift premium, which paid $5 more per hour. Bobby and his brother often skip breakfast if their dad doesn’t get home in time to make breakfast before the boys get on the bus. Bobby is a picky eater and frequently skips lunch. On the way home from the bus stop, Bobby may purchase nachos or a hot dog at the gas station convenience store.
Scenario Two:
Twelve-year-old Annie is African American and lives with her two moms in a downtown condo is in an affluent area overlooking the lake. Their condo is close to Annie’s school and the restaurants where the women work. One is a chef; the other is a server. To be able to afford rising rent, the women work long hours, often late into the night. For dinner, Annie usually eats meals that her moms bring home from the restaurant. Annie gets coffee and a sweet treat at the convenience store on her way to school. E. Analyze how the SDOH from part A could be detrimental to Bobby’s health outcomes, using a current, relevant, credible source to support your response.
F. Analyze how the SDOH from part B could be detrimental to Annie’s health outcomes, using a current, relevant, credible source to support your response.
G. Acknowledge sources, using in-text citations and references, for content that is quoted, paraphrased, or summarized.
E. Bobby's Detrimental SDOH
Bobby's situation highlights several Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) that could negatively impact his health outcomes. His family's economic instability, stemming from medical debt and his mother's death, leads to food insecurity. Skipping breakfast and lunch, coupled with relying on convenience store food, likely means Bobby isn't receiving adequate nutrition. This can lead to developmental issues, weakened immunity, and difficulty concentrating in school. His father's night shift work creates a lack of parental supervision, potentially exposing Bobby to risky behaviors. Living in a rural area with limited access to fresh, affordable food contributes to the health disparities often seen in rural populations. The stress associated with his mother's death and the family's financial struggles can also negatively impact Bobby's mental and physical health.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) emphasizes the importance of nutrition for children's development and well-being. According to the AAP, "Nutritious food is essential for optimal brain development, growth, and overall health throughout childhood and adolescence." (AAP, 2019). Bobby's inconsistent and unhealthy eating habits put him at risk for various health problems, including obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease later in life. Furthermore, the lack of parental supervision can expose him to unhealthy influences and risky behaviors.
F. Annie's Detrimental SDOH
While Annie's family lives in an affluent area, her situation also presents detrimental SDOH. Although not experiencing food insecurity in the same way as Bobby, Annie's reliance on restaurant food, even if prepared by her chef mom, may lead to an unhealthy diet high in sodium, fat, and sugar. Coupled with her daily consumption of sugary coffee drinks and treats, Annie is at risk for developing obesity and related health problems. Her mothers' long working hours create a lack of parental supervision and potentially limit family meals, which are important for social and emotional development. While access to healthcare may not be a barrier, the stress of her mothers' demanding jobs and the pressure to maintain their lifestyle in an expensive area could negatively impact Annie's mental health.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) highlights the link between sugary drinks and adverse health outcomes. "Frequent consumption of sugary drinks is associated with weight gain/obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart disease, kidney diseases, non-alcoholic liver disease, tooth decay and cavities, and gout." (CDC, 2021). Annie's regular intake of sugary coffee drinks and treats puts her at increased risk for these health problems. Furthermore, the lack of regular family meals and parental supervision can contribute to unhealthy eating habits and limit opportunities for open communication and emotional support.
G. References
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2019). Nutrition. HealthyChildren.org. Retrieved from https://www.healthychildren.org/English/healthy-living/nutrition/Pages/default.aspx
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Get the Facts: Sugary Drinks. CDC.gov. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/nutrition/data-statistics/sugar-sweetened-beverages-intake.html