Is your child at a healthy weight? Do you feel they are putting on more weight than usual? Are your children eating nutritious food, or have you seen an increase in junk food consumption? Parents are constantly watching their children's health, and childhood obesity has become one of their main concerns in recent times.
Many children face an issue with their weight as lifestyle patterns change. Childhood obesity is a fast-rising significant public health issue that needs to be tackled effectively, as it affects not only a child's physical health but also their emotional and psychological well-being. Let's understand the causes, symptoms, and management strategies for childhood obesity today.
Several causes lead to childhood obesity. This condition does not arise solely from unhealthy eating habits. It goes beyond that, and getting to the root of the problem is essential. When your child is over weight, it affects not only their physical fitness and appearance but also causes unhealthy emotional turmoil.
Children lose their confidence and ability to participate in group activities. Body shaming and unkind comments from peers, parents, and others can lead to a loss of self-esteem, which causes damages that often go unnoticed by parents. So, dealing with this issue is a sensitive area. Parents must be prompt yet subtle to not hurt the child's emotional resilience.
It's not possible to pinpoint one single factor that contributes to childhood obesity. We have noted down some of the main factors that cause obesity in kids:
Genetic Factors
Genetics plays a vital role in determining whether your child is prone to gaining excessive weight as the years go by. A child whose parents are obese is likely to develop the same tendency due to inherited traits that influence body fat storage and energy expenditure. Though genetics does not play a substantial role, the possibility of the tendency to be come obese remains, and hence, caution is to be practised.
Dietary Habits
Diet is one of the most critical factors affecting your children's health. A healthy, balanced diet must be followed to maintain ideal body weight and provide essential nutrients for growth and all body functions.
Poor dietary habits, such as consuming high-calorie, low-nutrient foods such as fast food, sugary beverages, and snacks, lead to increased chances of obesity in children. Although such foods are quick to get, the long-term effects could be healthier. Being high in fat, sugar, and salt, fast food should not become routine because children prefer it.
Sedentary Lifestyle
Children are naturally adapted to follow a healthy, active lifestyle. However, modern lifestyles have become increasingly sedentary, with children having more access to mobiles and other smart devices. This has resulted in decreased physical activity, which has increased the chances of obesity in kids.
Environmental Factors
Environmental factors also contribute to a growing child's health. Children's movement is restricted if they grow up in confined spaces like residential flats, condos, etc. Also, they spend more time on gadgets and have more access to junk food marketing.
Running and playing freely in an open field, taking long walks in fresh air, and spending time close to nature bring about massive changes in a child's development. Kids are less prone to putting on un wanted weight when they have the space to move around, and all that physical activity also enhances digestion.
Psychological Factors
Emotional stress, anxiety, and depression can contribute to overeating and unhealthy food choices. Mental stress also plays a huge role in adding to the pounds as kids develop an addiction to eating unhealthy food as and when they get stressed.
While it is not possible to control all childhood obesity reasons, parents and medical practitioners, with practice and constant monitoring, can recognise the symptoms of childhood obesity early enough.
Excess Body Weight
The first and foremost hint that a child is becoming obese is their body weight. Again, while the number on the scale does not indicate body fat alone, tracking your child's weight regularly can help you notice if it is spinning out of control. Please keep track of the child's Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile and make sure it stays within normal limits.
Breathing Difficulties
If you have noticed your child struggling to find their breath, probably after climbing the stairs, during an evening walk, or even during sleep, it may be a sign that obesity is slowly creeping in. Excess weight increases pressure on the lungs, and the child may find it more laborious to breathe normally.
Fatigue & Joint Pains
Kids may experience excessive fatigue and joint pain as their bodies try to cope with the excess weight gained. Low energy levels can result from extra weight, poor nutrition, and a lack of physical activity.
Psychological Symptoms
Has your ordinarily active and bubbly child suddenly become withdrawn? When your child puts on extra weight, you may notice that they are excusing themselves from outdoor appearances and events. This is because of a loss in self-esteem and body image concerns. Kids also get concerned about bullying from peers and jokes about their weight from family members.
To summarise, the leading childhood obesity reasons are often calorie imbalance, media influence, lack of education, lack of proper environment, socioeconomic status, peer pressure, and psychological stress. The symptoms must be identified and addressed promptly to ensure a healthy, physically active generation and avoid childhood obesity.
The leading causes of childhood obesity are unhealthy eating practices, lack of physical activity, improper sleep patterns, and a sedentary lifestyle. Genetics and other environmental factors also play a significant role in excess weight gain in children.
It is possible to reverse child obesity under constant super vision and guidance. Increasing physical activity, reducing intake of unhealthy junk food, reducing stress, and engaging in outdoor activities aid weight reduction. A medical practitioner's help will also speed up the process.
Parents are looking for solutions to childhood obesity as they are becoming more aware of the health hazards involved. Some of the essential solutions include:
● Increase in physical activity
● Reducing intake of junk food
● Incorporating discipline in to eating habits
● Proper sleep schedule
● Family Involvement
● Education and Awareness
● Psychological Support
● Healthy Eating
Obesity and weight management depend on many factors, like:
● Diet and nutrition
● Genetical factors
● Physical Inactivity
● Psychosocial Factors
● Calorie Imbalance
