Childhood Obesity- Causes and Solutions

Childhood obesity is a serious health threat to children. Kids with obesity are overweight and are at risk for a number of chronic health conditions. Poor health resulting out of childhood obesity can continue into adulthood.

Childhood obesity doesn’t just affect physical health. It also affects emotional and mental health. Children and teens who are overweight or are obese can become depressed and have poor self-image and low self-esteem.

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Family history, psychological factors, and lifestyle all play a role in childhood obesity. Children whose parents or other family members are overweight or have obesity are more likely to follow the same. But the main cause of childhood obesity is a combination of eating too much and exercising too little which is outcome of less calorie burning. Psychological issues might also lead to obesity in some children. Kids and teens who are bored, stressed, or depressed may eat more to cope with negative emotions.

Health Risks Associated with Childhood Obesity

• Diabetes: Type 2 diabetes is a condition in which your body doesn’t metabolize glucose properly. Diabetes can lead to eye disease, nerve damage, and kidney dysfunction. Children and adults who are overweight are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. However, the condition can be treated by making changes in diet and lifestyle as recommended by Best Child Doctors in Jaipur.
• Asthma: Asthma is chronic inflammation of the lung’s airways. Obesity is the most common comorbidity with asthma. About 38 percent of children with obesity have the problem of asthma.
• Sleep Disorders: Kids and teens who have obesity may also suffer from sleep disorders, such as excessive snoring. Extra weight in the neck area can block their airways.

Changes in Nutrition and lifestyle can help to fight obesity

Eating the following foods can help kids to fight obesity as recommended by Paediatric experts of Manglamplus Medicity Hospital: -

• fresh fruits and vegetables
• lean proteins, such as chicken and fish
• whole grains, such as brown rice, whole-grain breads
• low-fat dairy products, including skim milk, low-fat plain yogurt.

Lifestyle Changes to Fight Childhood Obesity

There are several different strategies that can help prevent childhood obesity.

• Increased Physical Activity: Increase your child’s level of physical activity to help them shed weight safely. Consider encouraging your child to try a sport for which they have expressed an interest in.
• Cut Down on Screen Time: Limit screen time, too. Kids who spend several hours a day watching television, playing computer games, or using their smartphones or other devices are more likely to be overweight. Therefore, cutting the screen time can be useful. First, screen time eats into time that could be spent doing physical activities instead. And second, more time in front of the TV means more time for snacking, and more exposure to ads for the high-sugar, high-fat foods.