Childhood Obesity – A Prolonged Epidemic

Obesity is a major public health crisis among children and adults. As per a research published in The Journal of Physiology indicates that an obese pregnant mother when exposed to high fat, high sugar diet during pregnancy produces a fatty liver in the fetus, potentially predisposing children to obesity.

Throughout the world, approximately over 50% of women of reproductive age are either overweight or obese. Everyone has a little fat in the liver, while the children or teens with excessive body fat in proportion to their height are considered as overweight or obese.

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Childhood obesity cases are generally higher in comparison to the older times, though we cannot just blame the fatty liver inheriting in the children, there are other causes which trigger obesity in kids-

1. Unhealthy eating habits

 It is the era of junk! Teenagers have an altogether different lifestyle. Weekend parties, late night packed meals and what not. Junk is now an integral part of the modern-day lifestyle. These unhealthy eating habits contribute to increased body fat.

2. No physical exercise

As technology has traveled long, gadgets are quite popular amongst teenagers. Too much of screen time encourages children to play online and spend time with tabs, computers, and mobiles. Kids have almost forgotten the essence of playing in the fields until they are enrolled in sports.

3. Ease and Convenience

Everything nowadays is going digital, right from online shopping to getting medicines through a medicine delivery app! Though it has promoted ease and convenience, moving out for daily essentials has almost diminished. This is a major cause of lost interest in social circle and physically working for things.

Consequences

Consequences of childhood obesity can be stressing! As a child, it can affect the emotional well-being and lead to the following psychological factors-

1. Depression and anxiety

Through depression can be both, the cause and consequence of obesity. A study concludes that obese adolescents have a higher prevalence of anxiety disorders than non-obese ones. Inconclusive in both the cases, depression and anxiety may or may not be the outcome but can always be a probability. Children often stress and pop in pills for instant relief for a headache and anxiety, rather than checking with a doctor they order medicines online, with the motive of nondisclosure to the family.

2. Body dissatisfaction

Obese individuals often suffer from body dissatisfaction leading to mental stress. Body dissatisfaction is seen more in females than males at every age. Females tend to worry about the body more, keeping in consideration the modern-day norm “Beauty in Thinness”.

3. Self-esteem

Research findings comparing overweight/obese children with normal weight children in regards to self-esteem have been mixed. Some studies found that obese children have lower self-esteem while others do not! Overweight children are often misled with low physical activities and the circumstances lowering the self-confidence.

Treating Childhood Obesity

The treatment varies according to your child’s age and the medical condition he is in. In most cases the treatment

Includes changes in your child’s eating habits and some essential physical activities on a daily basis. While in some severe cases, the treatments may also include medications or weight loss surgery. Different treatments can be done as per the conditions-

• Overweight

Overweight children can be kept on a weight maintenance program to slow the process of weight gain. These programs allow the kid to gain height and keep the calorie intake as low as possible.

• Obesity

In case of obese children, they are advised and monitored regularly to keep a check on their eating habits and make it strict to “just essentials”. They can increase physical activities with a professional guidance.

• Medications

In some cases, where monitoring and weight loss plan are too far reach, doctors prescribe medications for overall weight loss plan. Though the side effects may apply.

• Weight loss surgery

Weight loss surgery may be an option in the most severe cases who are unable to lose even after the eating habits modifications. Though surgery may involve long terms risks and complications with possible solutions and treatments. The doctor generally recommends the surgery only if the obesity risk is higher than the surgery threats to the child.

• Home remedies

Keep a healthy diet for yourself first to encourage a healthy pregnancy and an equally healthy baby. Watch your child’s eating habits and maintain a schedule at home. Nod timing meals, regular junk, and no physical activity may increase the changes in the overweight and obese kid. As kids nowadays have an altogether different lifestyle, they will not always enjoy outdoor activities rather will choose to play on tabs and laptops.

Encourage your kid to be a part of at least one sport, let them have an environment where fitness feels necessary. Involve your entire family in the health-friendly regime, let them be a part of the child development and their own wellbeing.

Make healthy eating a priority and emphasize to a fit mind and body! Let your child choose a good pastime and involve in hobbies which encourage a person to devote to fitness.

What to do if the child is depressed?

In some cases a child can feel depressed over the obesity, this can pull their moral down, follow the guidelines to deal with a depressed child-

• Avoid talking about weight
• Do not encourage dieting and meal skipping
• Praise your child for their efforts
• Share their feelings
• Keep them thinking positive
• Be patient with them

Looking at a wider picture. Childhood obesity can be controlled if parents and children focus on the basic causes. There are many components that play into childhood obesity, some being more crucial than others. Combined eating habits and regular physical activities and be an effective component in making kids aware of the vital consequences of obesity.