Question

What are some factors that lead to childhood obesity? Define 1-2 ways that we can either treat or prevent it altogether.

Answer 1

The number of overweight children in developed countries like the US covers 1/3 rd total population of children having obesity and also there is a continuous rise in the number.

it is also true that the weight-related medical problems are not seen in the children but if left untreated it may lead to obesity in future, it is very important for the parents to look after their children and to control their weight at the early stage of life.

if the weight of the children is not controlled during childhood it may cause obesity when they will be adult and adult are at a greater risk of developing heart problems and diabetes in later life due to obesity, they are also at the risk of developing psychological conditions like stress and depression.

FACTORS THAT LEADS TO OBESITY IN CHILDREN ARE;

1. GENETIC FACTOR

when there are already members of the family with obesity then there are chances that the children will develop obesity in his life, it is not always necessary that the child with obesity in his family will develop obesity but risks are increased when siblings of the child being obese.

2. PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

if it is very little or lack of physical activity in children they may develop obesity.

3. UNHEALTHY EATING HABITS

Eating habits such as junk food, intake of more carbohydrate and intake of more fat such can lead to obesity in the child.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS.

personal problems of parents and the strict behaviour of parents toward children can cause stress and the risk of obesity are also increased, to overcome the stress and fear, some children start eating more.

5. SOCIO-ECONOMIC FACTOR

some of the parents cannot buy food from the supermarket on a daily basis and they buy a lot of food that can be preserved for long has a negative impact on the health of the child, and also in poor social setup, there is no place to perform exercises.

PREVENTION

1. DO NOT ALLOW YOUR CHILD AND LIMIT YOUR CHILD ON CONSUMPTION OF THE BEVERAGES AND THE MORE SUGAR SWEETENED PRODUCTS.

2. PROVIDE SUFFICIENT FRUITS AND VEGETABLES TO THEM.

3. PROVIDE ENOUGH EDUCATION REGARDING THE CHOICE OF HEALTHY DIET TO YOUR CHILDREN AND ALSO TEACH THE IMPORTANCE OF ACCEPTING HEALTHY EATING HABITS AND COMPLICATIONS RELATED TO IT.

4. AVOID GOING OUT TO FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS ON A REGULAR BASIS.

5. ADJUST THE FOOD SIZE ACCORDING TO THE CHILD'S AGE.

6. MAKE SURE YOUR CHILDREN IS GETTING PROPER SLEEP.

7. LIMIT THEIR STAY ON TV SCREEN, IT SHOULD NOT BE MORE THAN 2 HOURS.

8. TAKE YOUR CHILD TO THE DOCTOR ONCE IN A YEAR, NO MATTER  OF HOW HEALTHY YOUR CHILD IS, DOCTOR, WILL PERFORM THE MEDICAL AND PHYSICAL EXAMINATION AND WILL TELL YOU HOW HEALTHY YOUR CHILD IS AND WHAT IS TO BE DONE, HE WILL MEASURE BMI, HEAD, CHEST, ARM AND FOOT CIRCUMFERENCE AND WILL TELL IF IT IS APPROPRIATE TO THE CHILD'S AGE OR NOT.