Obesity is not only bad for adults, but it is also bad for children too. Obesity in childhood has adverse effects on their health and can lead to long-term health complications. If you notice the early symptoms of obesity, you can save your children from obesity which can lead to serious health-related issues. Read this article to get an insight into childhood obesity.
Obesity is a chronic disease that can lead to health-related problems due to excessive fat accumulation in the body. This is measured by BMI (Body Mass Index). As per CDC (Centers for Disease Control & Prevention), a child who has a BMI at or higher than 95% over their peers is considered an obese child. Childhood obesity can lead to serious health-related problems. And in some cases, it might be carried on into their adulthood. Some children might also suffer from depression and low self-esteem due to obesity.
You can prevent childhood obesity by teaching them about good eating habits, portion control techniques, and how to stay physically active.
Causes
There are many causes that can lead to childhood obesity, including:
- Genetics: Genetics can play a significant role in obesity (for instance, if your body’s metabolism is fast- chances are that you can quickly digest what you eat, and after some time you start feeling hungry again).
- Family history: If someone in your family suffers from obesity or weight problems, chances are you might be able to inherit obesity in the next generation or in you.
- Poor diet control: Not taking care of children’s diet can easily lead to obesity. That is why parents should teach their children what healthy foods are and what amount /quantity they should consume.
- Convenience foods: In some families, both parents are working- in that case, children need to eat cold foods from the refrigerator or buy convenience foods from the nearby store which are high in fats and carbohydrates that can cause obesity.
- Less physical activity: Children with less physical activity (because of video games or phone games or doing lots of studies) are more prone to obesity. Burning fewer calories and consuming more calories can easily lead to weight gain.
- Psychological problems: Many children suffer from psychological problems such as boredom, stress, depression, and anxiety due to many reasons, which make them eat more than they need leading to weight gain and obesity.
Symptoms
The main symptom of obesity you might notice in your children is too much weight gain. Other symptoms are as follows:
- Shortness of breath or breathing problems
- Fatigue
- Excessive sweating
- Snoring and sleeping problems
- Joint or muscle pain
- Dislocated hips
- Skin rashes and irritation
- Stretch marks (especially on the hips, abdomen, and back)
- Constipation
- Early puberty in girls
- Delayed puberty in boys
Want to know about the risk factors for childhood obesity? Read our article to help your child stay healthy.
Complications
Childhood obesity causes many complications including:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High cholesterol levels
- High blood pressure
- Asthma
- Liver damage
- Low self-esteem
- Depression
- Heart disease
- Sleeping disorders
- Stroke
- Musculoskeletal disorders
- Certain types of cancer such as breast cancer and colon cancer.
- Kidney disease
- Anxiety
Obesity is a chronic disease that is dangerous to anybody who is suffering from it. So, it is particularly important that you should educate your children about how they need to eat healthy foods, do physical activity, and try to reduce their stress. And if your child is fat, support them and help them to adopt the right techniques to manage their weight. Don’t ignore the symptoms and take care of their health so that they do not have to suffer from obesity and can lead a happy life.
Want to know about prevention that you and your children need to take to avoid obesity?
Call us on 347-868-1060 to get a free consultation. Don’t hesitate, it can make your children’s lives better!
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