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Childhood Obesity: Causes And Consequences To Prevent
Childhood Obesity: Causes And Consequences To Prevent

Video: Childhood Obesity: Causes And Consequences To Prevent

Video: Childhood Obesity: Causes And Consequences To Prevent
Video: Childhood Obesity: The impact of nutrition on health 2024, March
Anonim

Among the great scourges of contemporary society, there is overweight due to many factors. From the Great Plague to cholera, humanity has gone through extremely serious periods that leave deep imprints on lifestyles. Despite the Famine from which a large part of the world's population suffers, obesity and in particular, childhood obesity worldwide. As millions of children die of hunger, statistics unveil sky-high numbers relating to the unhealthy diet that killed 11 million people in 2017. Assuming that the data from the World Health Organization is shocking, social institutions and families must consider them and reflect on the measures to be taken. Since 1975, the number of obesity cases has almost tripled. While in 2016,over 340 million children and adolescents aged 5 to 19 were obese or overweight, in 2019, 38 million children under 5 were overweight or obese. These figures show that the problem with childhood obesity is deepening and worsening.

Childhood obesity: overconsumption

childhood obesity metabollic syndrome heart disease diabetes
childhood obesity metabollic syndrome heart disease diabetes

On the eve of Halloween, another monster, that of overpopulation, opposes one thing more than terrifying: overconsumption in general. Even if it concerns many aspects of life, overeating can be placed in the list. Can we draw a line of equality between overconsumption of nutrients and excess of food? Yes of course ! It is not normal to throw tons of it in "civilized" countries, while elsewhere there is a severe lack of nutrients and food resources.

Either way, people's culture is measured not only by the number of books read, but by the amount of food thrown away. That is, if we waste it or eat as much as we need. On the other hand, on the occasion of October 16, the National Day of the fight against food waste, we will take stock of the definition of childhood obesity to contribute to the eradication of diseases such as diabetes and hypertension, as well as 'to hormonal problems in children.

Symptoms of childhood obesity

childhood obesity symptoms overweight children
childhood obesity symptoms overweight children

Are all children who are a few pounds overweight overweight or obese? Some have a taller than average figure. Likewise, there is evidence that children normally carry different amounts of body fat at different stages of their development. So you might not know what your child should look like if weight is a health issue.

In any case, the Body Mass Index (BMI), which provides an indication of weight for height, is the accepted measure of overweight and obesity. Then your child's doctor may use growth charts, BMI, and, if necessary, other tests to help determine if your offspring's weight might be causing health problems. Surely, obese children weigh above the normal weight for their age and height.

Aside from disease states, childhood obesity can affect self-esteem and lead to depression.

Should we seek medical attention?

childhood obesity causes factors resort doctor
childhood obesity causes factors resort doctor

If you are worried that your child is gaining too much weight, talk to their doctor. In fact, it will look at the child's growth and development history, your family's weight-for-height history, and where your child fits on the growth charts. This can determine whether the child's weight is due to an unhealthy trim or relates to genetic factors. No doubt, the doctor will tell you that one of the best strategies for reducing childhood obesity is to improve the eating and motor habits of the whole family. As the obese child becomes an obese adult, the problem must be prevented and treated in order to protect his health now and in the future.

Causes of overweight in children

childhood obesity causes overweight children
childhood obesity causes overweight children

Lifestyle issues - too little activity and too many calories from food and drink are the main contributors to childhood obesity. But genetic and hormonal factors could also play a role. For example, recent research has shown that changes in digestive hormones can affect the signals that tell you you're full. Since a toddler cannot tell you this on their own, you need to learn to recognize the nonverbal language by which they communicate. In this sense, do not force the child to eat when he turns his head away from the spoon in his mouth. Surely, the way some parents try to force-feed the little one with good intentions can lead to bad results.

What are the risk factors?

Either alone or in combination, there are many factors that increase your child's risk of being overweight.

Diet

childhood obesity consequences diet healthy snacks
childhood obesity consequences diet healthy snacks

In principle, regular consumption of high-calorie foods, such as fast foods and baked goods from vending machines, can cause your child to gain weight. Admitting the evidence, it turns out that sweets and desserts can also lead to weight gain, as can sugary drinks, including fruit juice. If you're at a loss for what to put in your loulou's lunchbox, get inspired by our healthy after-school snacks or a moderately kids' fall recipe. Involve seasonal fruits, in particular, citrus fruits which are privileged.

Lack of physical exercise

childhood obesity lack of physical exercises
childhood obesity lack of physical exercises

Undoubtedly, children who don't move a lot are more likely to gain weight because they don't burn enough calories. Too much time spent in sedentary activities, such as watching television or playing video games, inevitably contributes to the problem. Except for outings on weekends and when the weather is not favorable, organize indoor activities to entertain children aged 2 to 5. It will be a difficult task to swap the tablet and computer for sports games, but it is worth a try.

Genetic factors

childhood obesity morbidity genetic factors harmful habits
childhood obesity morbidity genetic factors harmful habits

If there are people in your family who are overweight, you can expect your child to gain weight as well. This is especially true in an environment where high calorie foods are always available and physical activity is not encouraged.

Psychological factors

Just like in adults, personal, parental and family stress can increase a child's risk of obesity. Some children eat too much to cope with problems and emotions or to deal with boredom. Their parents may have similar tendencies.

Socio-economic factors

Since people in some communities have limited resources and limited access to supermarkets, they can buy ready-made meals that don't spoil quickly, like frozen meals, crackers and cookies, which are arguably unhealthy, especially for little ones. children. As the social status influences the development of the child, the existing parameters, in particular the availability of food, the prices, the portions, the caloric density are its components.

Childhood obesity: consequences that follow

childhood obesity consequences physical well-being social emotional disturbed
childhood obesity consequences physical well-being social emotional disturbed

Provided that childhood obesity can cause complications for your child's physical, social and emotional well-being, it is extremely important to develop a healthy menu for the whole family. Although the canteens offer food that conforms to the rules of a diet rich in useful nutrients, children are tempted by vending machines dispersing everything that is harmful to their health. For this reason, you must not only prepare healthy meals but also educate your child in nutritional culture.

Type 2 diabetes

childhood obesity causes great morbidity chronic diseases
childhood obesity causes great morbidity chronic diseases

As a consequence of the factors enumerated above, a great morbidity rages in the very small ones: chronic diseases which of yesteryear, were manifested only with the adults. For example, type 2 diabetes affects children because of the way their body uses sugar (glucose) and due to a sedentary lifestyle.

Metabolic syndrome

Indeed, a set of conditions including high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high triglycerides, low HDL cholesterol, and excess belly fat can put your child at risk for heart disease, diabetes, or other health problems. health.

High cholesterol and blood pressure

Assuming that a poor diet can cause the child to develop one or both conditions, the consequences lead to plaque buildup in the arteries. As a result, this can cause the arteries to narrow and harden, followed by a heart attack or stroke later in life.

Other frequent complications

childhood obesity frequent complications suffering
childhood obesity frequent complications suffering

Children who are overweight or obese may be more likely to have asthma. Sometimes obstructive sleep apnea is a potentially serious disorder in which a child's breathing stops and starts again several times while they sleep.

Usually, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is a disorder that does not cause symptoms, but results in a buildup of fatty deposits in the liver, scarring, and liver damage. Finally, bone fractures are common in obese children.

Childhood obesity can cause social and emotional destabilization

childhood obesity causes emotional social destabilization
childhood obesity causes emotional social destabilization

For its part, being overweight has always been the subject of teasing and intimidation, so that children suffer from a loss of self-esteem and an increased risk of depression. It follows behavioral and learning problems leading to anxiety and poorer social skills. However, social isolation is not excluded.

Summarize the pitfalls

childhood obesity having nutritious culture
childhood obesity having nutritious culture
  1. Don't reward kids for good behavior, and don't try to stop the bad with candy or treats. Find other ways to change your attitude.
  2. Don't have a plate cleaning policy. Even babies turn away from the bottle or the breast to send signals that they are satisfied. If the children are satisfied, do not force them to continue eating. Support the idea that they should only eat when they are hungry.
  3. Don't talk about “bad foods” and ban all favorite sweets and snacks altogether. Children can rebel and eat too much food that is not allowed outside the home. Serve healthy foods most of the time, and offer treats every now and then.

Age recommendations

childhood obesity consequences recommendations age
childhood obesity consequences recommendations age

Birth to 1 Year: In addition to its many health benefits, breastfeeding can prevent excessive weight gain.

Ages 1 to 5: Start early to initiate good habits. Help shape food preferences by offering a variety of healthy foods. Encourage children's natural tendency to be active and help them develop their skills.

Ages 6 to 12: Encourage children to be physically active every day, whether through an organized sports team or playing soccer during recess. Encourage the little ones to do daily activities like playing outside or going for a family walk. Let them be more involved in making good food choices and helping you prepare lunch.

Ages 13-18: Teach teens how to prepare healthy meals and snacks at home. Encourage them to make healthy choices outside of the home and to be active every day.

All ages: Reduce time spent watching TV, phone, computer, and video games, and discourage eating in front of a screen (TV or other). Serve a variety of healthy foods and have family meals together as often as possible. Encourage children to eat breakfast every day, eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables per day, and limit sugary drinks.

Talk to the children about the importance of eating well and being active. Be a role model by eating well, exercising regularly, and incorporating healthy habits into your daily life. Make it a family affair that will become second nature to everyone.

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