Obesity in children

Children who are obese at a young age are more prone to health problems and many diseases in their adolescent period. Obesity is not a small problem to neglect, it is rather an important factor to be stopped and cured. It is a serious medical condition that needs immediate medical attention and cure. Steps should be taken to prevent that from happening in the first place. The most common problems related to obesity are diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure.

Practicing a healthy and balanced lifestyle prevents obesity in the first place. By improving the eating habits and exercise routine obesity can be prevented. If the child looks rounder compared to another child of the same age, it should not be immediately ruled out as obese. Obesity is determined by calculating the Body mass index calculator known as the BMI calculator.

At various stages of their life, children tend to carry various amounts of fat around their bodies. Hence a BMI calculator is used, to calculate the weight according to their height. The results show if a person is overweight or obese.

The body mass index calculator, height charts, and other clinical tests are there to confirm the obesity and if needed necessary steps can be taken accordingly. The proper way to diagnose the problem is to consult a doctor, who in turn checks out all the above said factors, family history and also prescribes prescribe if needed.

Causes for obesity:

A sedentary lifestyle is a major reason for the presence of obesity. Another reason might be due to family history, Hormonal imbalance in the body. Too much consumption of junk foods, oily foods, processed foods, not moving around, and not giving proper movements to the body are also major reasons for getting obese.

Due to a lack of movement, there won’t be any calories burned. It causes the fats to be stored in the body, which makes them obese.

A sedentary lifestyle causes the person to sit around for a long time and do nothing. Some children are addicted to watching TV and playing video games for a long time. This type of sedentary activity makes them lazy and gain fat.

Other than these, psychological factors also plays a critical role making a child obese. For example, stress causes the child to either eat unhealthily or eat more. As sometimes overeating is done as a result to cope with the stress.

Boredom also causes some children to eat junk or eat it often. When there is plenty of junk food or foods of different kinds, few children continuously eat them just to pass the time or they copy what their parents do, who has the habit of eating unhealthy foods.

Complications of Obesity:

Being obese at a young age affects children both physically and emotionally. The common health problems caused due to obesity are Diabetes type 2, Problems in the bones, High cholesterol levels, High blood pressure, Breathing problem, NAFLD (Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease).

Diabetes Type 2:

When both obesity and a sedentary lifestyle are combined, there is a high chance for type 2 diabetes. Diabetes affects the way how the body uses glucose levels. This is a chronic condition.

• High Cholesterol and High Blood Pressure

Too much junk food causes the fats to be deposited in the body, which in turn gets deposited in the blood vessels. When these deposits get settled in the arteries valve, they form a plaque and block them. It causes a heart attack or stroke.

• Bone problems

When too much weight is gained it causes too much stress in the hips and leg bones, to carry that much weight around. This causes a permanent problem in the bones. Childhood obesity can cause hip injury, or in the knees and back.

• Breathing problems

Overweight children are more prone to breathing problems like Asthma. These children have more risk to get obstructive sleep apnea. This causes the child to stop and start breathing randomly during their sleep, this is a serious issue.

• Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease NAFLD

Non alcoholic fatty liver disease causes the fat to be deposited in the liver. This causes the liver damage which is also a life threatening issue.

Emotional damages:

Study shows that children who are obese tend to develop depression, stress, and anxiety at an young age. The major reason for this issue is considered to be lower self esteem or the constant teasing and bullying by others. It can be handled with the help of parents, family, or a consultant sometimes. With proper attention and care, this can be resolved.

Prevention of Obesity:

There are many ways to prevent a child from getting obese. Healthy food habits, adequate exercise, and movements are the major way to prevent obesity in the first place.

Children tend to copy their elders so setting a good example is very important. Offering a wide variety of good foods makes them eager to try new ones and don’t get bored. Proper sleep and rest are also very important for the body.