Understanding Childhood Obesity, Its Causes and Signs

Children and adolescents are affected by the medical severe disease known as childhood obesity. It's more alarming because childhood obesity frequently sets children up for health issues like

Childhood obesity can lead to low self-esteem and depression in children. Improving family eating and exercise habits is crucial to reducing childhood obesity and protecting a child's health.

What are the Symptoms of Childhood Obesity?

What are the Causes of Childhood Obesity?

The main cause of childhood obesity is lifestyle decisions. The causes of childhood obesity, however, might also be hereditary and hormonal. The following are some important causes and risk factors for childhood obesity:

When to See a Doctor?

Consult the child's physician if you're concerned that they're gaining too much weight. The paediatrician will consider the child's past patterns of growth and development, the family's history of weight-for-height, and where the child ranks on the growth charts. This might help in figuring out whether the child's weight is within unhealthy ranges.

How is Childhood Obesity Diagnosed?

To determine whether a child is obese, the doctor will compute the child's BMI, examine the child's percentile, and determine where the child falls on the BMI-for-age growth chart. In order to determine whether the child is overweight or obese, the doctor will also consider;

The doctor may also advise a diagnostic blood test to screen for any conditions linked to obesity, including;

How Is Childhood Obesity Treated?

Depending on the child's age and other medical issues, treatment for childhood obesity is given. Treatments usually involve both increased physical activity and dietary changes for the child.

Medication may sometimes be administered as part of a comprehensive weight-loss plan for some teenagers. In severe cases, weight-loss surgery may be used to treat childhood obesity.

How Can One Prevent Childhood Obesity?

The problem of childhood obesity cannot be solved easily. However, there are many ways parents and other adults can contribute to preventing childhood obesity. Among the ways to stop childhood obesity are:

Adopt Healthy Practices

Parents who adopt healthy practices can reduce childhood obesity. The child follows everything you do. They will be more likely to change their habits if they observe you eating well and exercising.

Reduce Sugar Intake

Sugar shouldn't account for more than 10% of your child's daily calories if they are older than two. Avoid sugary beverages and instead serve water or low-fat milk. No added sugar at all should be consumed by children under the age of two.

Encourage Better Sleep

Children aged six to twelve require nine to twelve hours of sleep per night, and teenagers aged 13 to 18 need approximately eight to ten hours of sleep per night. Poor sleep can induce obesity by making children desire to eat more and be less active.

Schedule Regular Child’s Appointments

Childhood obesity is a matter of concern because it can lead to severe diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. Encourage regular check-ups and consultations with healthcare providers to address any concerns about obesity.

At Medicover Women and Child, we use advanced technology, experienced professionals, and specialized pediatricians to detect and treat childhood obesity early on.

Conclusion

Childhood obesity prevention focuses on healthy eating, regular exercise, limited screen time, and sufficient sleep. Factors contributing to obesity include poor diet, lack of physical activity, genetics, and environmental factors. In India, urbanization and sedentary lifestyles exacerbate the issue. Early intervention is crucial globally.

Treatment for obesity involves dietary adjustments, exercise, behavioural therapy, medical intervention, and essential family support. Obesity may result in physical conditions like diabetes and hypertension and psychological effects such as low self-esteem and depression.

Frequently Asked Questions