Childhood Obesity

Today, one of the major concerns for parents as well as children worldwide, is not their education or future, but health-related: childhood obesity. This affects children of all ages - from a toddler to a teenager. Let us discuss the causes, aftereffects and preventive measures of this disease.

Why are today's children obese?

The major causes of obesity in children are one of the following or a combination of two or more.

Genetic factors

Junk food

Unhealthy eating habits

Reduced physical activity

Hormonal problems

According to studies, children of obese parents tend to be overweight. However, not all children of parents with weight problems are obese. Why is it so? The answer lies in the fact that the first statement is true in case of children who have the same eating and activity habits as their parents.

Junk food is a major health hazard for children as well as adults. However, it is more dangerous to children as they are not aware of the fallouts and grow up to be unhealthy adults with many life-long diseases. By the time they realize the consequences, it is too late to turn back.

Nowadays with surplus food in most households, children tend to eat at any time during the day. There is no regular breakfast time or lunch time or dinner time. Snacking throughout the day tend to dampen the hunger during regular meal times, which in turn triggers snacking. This forms a vicious circle, which is difficult for the child to break on its own.

The children now are slave to television and video games and this affects them in more than one way. The physical inactivity and increased snacking both contribute to obesity.

Hormonal imbalance may make your child overweight, which has to cured medically. You can rule out this possibility by undergoing blood tests and physical examination.

What are the diseases that can affect obese children?

Some of them are given below.

Diabetes

Heart problems

High blood pressure

High cholesterol

Weakening of bones

Minor problems like fungal infections

The obese children are preyed by low self esteem and depression. They tend to grow up into obese adults with a host of diseases.

How to prevent this problem in children?

The only way to make children eat healthy and be physically active is by doing this yourself. Set an example for them to follow and give enough encouragement to form good habits. It is easier to set good patterns for toddlers. So start at this age. As they grow older, the resistance to change their habits will be stronger.

What to do if your child is obese?

Once your child's doctor has declared your child as obese after necessary tests, the first step is to let him/her know that you love him/her unconditionally, whether he/she is obese or not. This will help the child adapt to the changes in lifestyle and cope with it. If the whole family has weight problems, take steps to change the eating and activity patterns of the family to a healthier way. If the children alone have the problem, still stick together as a family and make the changes in everybody's life so that child doesn't feel singled out or left out. Remember that the changes cannot be brought in overnight, it has to done gradually and with patience. Some ways to increase physical activity in the family is detailed below.

Plan fun-filled outings together and take the initiative to organize these.

Play games like tennis and football, which provide good exercise and help to burn the fat.

Plan family activities like hiking, biking and swimming.

While planning activities, always keep in mind, the restrictions your child has because of obesity. Be careful not to embarrass the child.

Plan your child's spare time in such a way that he/she doesn't spend much time in front of television or playing video games.

Reduce buying junk food and set an example to the child by eating healthy yourself. You can plan the changes by consulting the child's doctor. But whatever plans you have, make sure that it is presented in an attractive, fun-filled and fascinating way so that child will think of the changes as a treat rather than a punishment.