Introduction
According to the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention), one in five children in the USA (United States of America) is diagnosed with childhood obesity. Various factors trigger childhood obesity; the most important factor is mimicking the parents' behavior. Choices make a lot of difference in staying healthy. Make children learn healthy eating habits and keep them physically active.
What Is Childhood Obesity?
A complex disorder in which excess fat deposition in the body affects a child's health and well-being. The calculation for obesity is based on a person's body mass index (BMI). For children, the BMI is age and gender-specific. BMI is calculated by dividing the child's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m2). Obese children are more prone to bullying by the people around them, which results in self-isolation, low self-esteem, increased anxiety, and risk of depression increases.
What Are the Causes of Childhood Obesity?
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Lifestyle Issues: Very little or no physical activity in addition to increased calorie intake, for example, watching television or playing video games instead of playing.
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Over-Eating High-Calorie Food: Regular consumption of high-calorie food, unhealthy foods.
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Family Factors: Obese parents are most likely to create obese children. It is true because children generally copy their parent's eating habits; if parents often eat high-calorie foods, then children will carry it forward.
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Cultural Factors: Television commercials have a great impact on children. Advertising unhealthy foods or fast foods can increase the risk of obesity in children. This food is often very high in calories and has a bigger portion size.
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Stress: Psychological factors, like personal stress from parental stress and family stress, can lead to overeating. Some children overeat when they are bored.
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Socioeconomic Status: Some people can have access to only supermarkets that have frozen meals and cookies. Similarly, poor people do not have access to the gym.
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Medications: Some prescription drugs can increase the risk of obesity. (Prednisone, Lithium, Propranolol, Amitriptyline, Gabapentin).
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Genetic Factors : Various genetic factors from maternal and paternal genes play a crucial role in obesity.
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Hormonal Factors: Girls with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) have an increased risk of weight gain.
What Problems Are Associated With Childhood Obesity?
Children with obesity pose a risk for various diseases like:
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Asthma (a condition that causes inflammation of the airway).
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High blood pressure.
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Type 2 diabetes (a condition causing excess sugar in the blood).
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Sleep apnea (a serious disorder affecting breathing).
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Heart diseases like stroke.
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High cholesterol.
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Cancer like colon cancer or breast cancer.
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Osteoarthritis that causes pain in joints.
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Increase the risk of fractures and joint pains.
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Non-alcoholic fatty liver (NAFLD) causes the accumulation of liver fat.
How Can Childhood Obesity be Diagnosed?
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Physical Examination: The doctor will check for any medical history and physical signs of obesity.
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BMI (Body Mass Index): It will help to know the normal ratio for a particular weight and height.
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Blood Test: It helps to know if the child suffers from any hormonal issues.
How to Prevent Childhood Obesity or What Are the Tips for Healthy Eating?
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Parents as Role Models: Healthy eating and exercising regularly should be part of daily life. If parents follow this, children will follow.
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Develop Healthy Eating Habits: Give lots of vegetables, fruits, and whole grain products. Also, low-fat milk products can be given. Cheese and yogurt are also beneficial.
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Healthy Snacks: Snacks can be made healthy too. For example, popcorn without butter, carrots with hummus, lotus seeds, fruits with yogurt, and cereals (whole grain) with low-fat milk.
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Increase Proteins: Choose lean meat, poultry, chicken, eggs, fish, lentils, beans, and proteins.
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Do Not Give Unhealthy Promises: It is a bad idea to promise candy for the child's good behavior.
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Reduce Sedentary Time: Limiting the screen time of kids. Do not offer a screen for kids less than two years of age. For children more than two years of age, give no more than two hours. Also, background television should be avoided.
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Have a Healthy Sleep Routine: Sleep deprivation can result in hormonal imbalance and leads to overeating which leads to obesity. And remember, children need more sleep than adults.
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Offer New Healthy Foods: Do not lose hope if the child does not eat the food the first time it is given to them. It usually takes time to accept a new food.
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Offer a Lot Of Water: The dehydrated child will have more desire for sugar.
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Avoid Sugar and Fat: Limit consumption of sugary drinks, also avoid sugar and saturated fat.
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Help Children To Stay Physically Active: Children of age three to five years of age should be involved in activities the entire day. From ages six to 17, the children should be active for a minimum of 50 to 60 minutes.
What Are the Benefits of Being Physically Active?
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Strengthening bones.
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Blood pressure is maintained.
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Decreasing stress and anxiety.
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Increasing self-esteem and boosting confidence.
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Helping with weight control.
How Can Parents Help the Children?
Help the kids to focus on the health. Do not judge the kid at any point; understand the real reason for this behavior. Often the perception of the child's feelings is based on the parent’s feelings about the child. If the parents accept the child's weight, they will feel good about themselves. Please do not blame them at any cost. Try and talk about their concerns. Explain the importance of weight loss and healthy living when the parents feel the children are ready to listen. And most important, Follow what one preaches. Have adequate family time. Exercise together and regularly. Be sensitive to the child's needs and reduce screen time. Other possible ways are:
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Make sure that there is a variety of healthy food available in the house so that the child can have healthy food options.
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Let the child help the parents with grocery and meal preparation. This will make normal food interesting.
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Develop a slow eating habit as it will give a feeling of fullness.
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Make mealtime more interesting and keep it together.
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Discourage television while having meals.
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Monitor the meals outside the home; pack lunch for school or ask the school to provide a balanced meal in lunch.
When Should a Healthcare Provider Be Visited?
If all the efforts do not help, contact the healthcare provider. They will guide with the weight loss program. It will include a pediatrician, dietitian, physical therapist, family physician, nurses, and psychiatrist. They can guide in developing a strategy to get the family back on track with healthy eating habits and increased physical activity.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is a complicated medical condition, and it affects children and adolescents. It is significant to support the child no matter their weight. Dietary intervention with a multisectoral strategy has had favorable outcomes in modifying obesity-related dietary risk factors for obese children and adolescents. Healthy eating habits which are developed in earlier years will always help the child in the long run, thereby aiding in obesity management.
