Introduction – Childhood Obesity
Does your child regularly eat junk foods like burgers, pizzas and baked foods? Do they spend more time indoors? Are you worried about their weight gain?
Childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in India. It raises the risk of health conditions, such as diabetes, cholesterol, and high blood pressure in children and teenagers.
Read on to learn more about the causes of childhood obesity and childhood obesity prevention. Consult your doctor to understand if your child’s excess weight lies within the unhealthy range and how to control it.
Causes of childhood obesity
An unhealthy lifestyle is the main cause of obesity in children. Other factors that lead to obesity are:
- Unhealthy eating habits:
Easy availability and regular consumption of fast foods, fried foods, desserts, colas, and sports drinks cause weight gain in children.
- Lack of exercise:
Today, children spend more time indoors watching TV or playing games on smartphones and tablets. The lack of physical activity leads to weight gain.
- Stress:
Children often overeat to cope with parental/peer pressure, boredom, loneliness, and family stress. This emotional eating is also a cause of obesity.
- Family history:
A family history of obesity increases the risk of obesity in your child. Furthermore, the availability of high-calorie foods at home and the lack of encouragement for physical activity lead to childhood obesity.
- Socioeconomic conditions:
Lack of resources to buy healthy foods, limited space for physical activity, and availability of unhealthy foods at schools or daycare centres contribute to weight gain in children.
Effects of childhood obesity
Childhood obesity leads to a higher risk of developing health conditions such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
- Sleep apnea
- Stroke
- Asthma
- Osteoarthritis
- Fatty liver
- Depression
- Low self-esteem
How can you prevent childhood obesity?
As a parent, you can prevent obesity in your child by dealing with the issue with love, compassion, and empathy.
Focus on your child’s health:
Give importance to your child’s overall health instead of focusing only on their weight. Share your concerns about obesity with your child. Encourage him/her to make healthy choices. Avoid putting your child on a diet to lose weight. Instead, instil in him/her healthy eating habits and increase his/her physical activity.
Set a good example:
How you take care of your health impacts your child’s outlook towards their health. Let them know how you make an effort to stay physically active. Include the entire family in leading a healthy life.
Replace junk food with healthy snacks:
Stock healthy snacking options, such as fruits, vegetables, low-fat yoghurt, whole-grain cereal, low-fat milk, air-popped popcorn, and homemade snacks. Pack your child’s lunch with healthy foods. Involve your child in food shopping and cooking.
Exercise together:
Plan physical activities for the entire family. Participate in activities like walking, swimming, yoga or cycling, which everyone will enjoy.
Reduce screen time:
Reduce the amount of time you spend watching TV as a family. Also, encourage your child to limit their screen time to an hour a day.
Reduce sugar intake:
Avoid colas, sugary drinks, candies etc. Opt for fresh juices, coconut water, low-fat milkshakes and smoothies without sugar.
Ensure your child gets enough sleep:
Sleep deprivation also leads to hormonal imbalances and childhood obesity. Ensure your child gets enough sleep. Switch off digital devices an hour before bedtime for better sleep.
Visit your doctor regularly:
Take your child for regular check-ups to measure his/her weight and height. This will help your doctor to check your child’s overall health and advise dietary changes or treatment if required.
Takeaway
Dietary and lifestyle changes will help your child overcome obesity. As a parent, your choices impact your child’s health too. Involve the entire family in making healthy food choices. Engage in physical activities regularly to help motivate your child. Childhood obesity can have long-term consequences. Consult your family doctor for your child’s weight-related issues and get help today!
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FAQs Related to childhood obesity
1. How do sugary drinks cause weight gain in children?
Sugary drinks, colas, and sports drinks are high in calories but low in nutrients. These drinks do not cause a feeling of fullness. Therefore, children tend to consume these in excess and in turn gain weight.
2. What is BMI? How often should I calculate my child’s BMI?
BMI (Body Mass Index) is a measure of weight with respect to a person’s height. It helps your doctor understand if your child belongs to the underweight, normal, overweight, or obese category. You must measure your child’s BMI once a year. BMI is calculated as follows:
BMI = Kg/m2 (Kg = Weight, m2 = height in metres squared)
3. How does childhood obesity affect a child’s quality of life?
Childhood obesity can affect the child’s physical, emotional, and social functioning. It can lead to self-esteem issues, anxiety, depression, and aggression. It can cause weak bones and joints and postural problems. It can also cause diabetes, fatty liver, and heart disease. Further, childhood obesity can cause early puberty in girls.
