Childhood Obesity

After reading “Constraints to Effective Risk Communication” I am well aware of the limitations I will face when writing about the risks of Childhood Obesity. Being aware of these constraints will help me to not just communicate but to communicate effectively. For example, when addressing some of the causes of childhood obesity, parents’ involvement or lack of is a contributing factor. However, I will not be communicating effectively if I critique parenting skills. My constraints are as follows:

(1)   I need to be aware of “inadequate resources”. At this stage in my research I need to know more about that even though we are all aware of the childhood obesity epidemic; “Why isn’t everyone body that can be involved working to solve this problem?” I believe its budgeting constraints and time. However I need more actual evidence on these matters.

(2)   I also have to keep in mind that even when I make my argument I may not get the support from the powers needed to implement my solutions. Therefore I need consider what I need to do to get that support.

(3)   Dichotomized roles will influence and change my audience or stakeholders because the audience itself expects certain courses of action from particular roles. If my risk communication doesn’t match that. It will appear chaotic but if I identify the roles of each party involved it will help clarify.

(4)   Getting approval for my solutions will be a road block. Everyone is pressed for time and their current tasks and responsibilities are just as much if not more important in their opinion. I have to express the urgency of this matter to ensure it doesn’t end up at the bottom of a paperwork stack. I also need to keep it clear, concise and as minimal steps as possible to streamline the process. The easier it is to communicate the risk and fix the risk the more likely it will actually be resolved.

(5)   I need to be willing to compromise when making decisions on information released and try to satisfy all parties involved while maintaining some ethical principles. At this time I do not foresee any issue with my topic here.

(6)   I should not let my emotions and personal interest on childhood obesity cloud my professionalism and task at hand to “communicate the risk.”

(7)   I need the public’s support to eliminate the risk. Therefore, I should treat them as an equal partner on the subject. In order to be effective I have to consider my audiences, concerns, values, beliefs and constraints. I cannot simply argue I am right because…. This will not be effective.

(8)   I may need to present information in a different manner than I would like in order to explain it effectively to an audience member that may not know as much as I do. That doesn’t mean that someone who doesn’t understand nutrition cannot understand it. I need to explain nutrition to them in a style that is comprehendible.

The audience constraints I will consider with my topic: the possibility of risk denial, outrage if the solutions are a hassle or expensive. Some may feel indifferent and that I is out of their control therefore why should they care. I know stigma will be a constraint on childhood obesity. These children are unfortunately already stigmatized. This may be my biggest balancing challenge because I have already needed to present the importance of this “RISK” to make it relevant. Yet, the solution to relieve the stigma is to minimize the risk….a conundrum.