Childhood obesity is a disease that is currently considered by the WHO as a global epidemic, caused by several genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors, which occurs when calorie consumption exceeds energy expenditure, resulting in an increase in deposits of body fat and so much weight gain.
Childhood obesity is characterized by being overweight in infants and children up to the age of 12, children identify as obese when their body weight exceeds 15% of the average weight corresponding to their age, this excess weight increases the risk of not developing serious long-term diseases. health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, shortness of breath, fatigue disorders, high cholesterol or liver problems, for example.
- To help an overweight and weight-loss child.
- It is recommended to change the eating habits and daily activities of the whole family.
- This makes the process easier for the child.
- Facilitating the intake of new foods.
It is also recommended to go to a nutritionist, as childhood is a stage of life from which it is not necessary to deprive certain nutrients, because it is necessary to evaluate it by a professional and carry out a complete nutritional assessment, which calculates a nutritional plan adapted and adapted to the needs of the child.
To find out how much weight you need to lose, place the data in the calculator below:
The causes of childhood obesity may be related to several factors, as well as to poor communities of high caloric intake, due to the consumption of foods high in fats and sugars, in addition to the lack of physical activity such as running, jumping to the football match, for example. Today, obesity has increased worldwide, especially in school age due to lack of physical activity, as they prefer to watch TV, be on the computer on mobile phone and play video games.
However, there are other much less common causes such as hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism, hyperinsulinemia mainly hypercortisolism; genetic abnormalities such as changes in leptin, leptin receptor or MC4 receptor; certain genetic diseases such as prader-willi, cohen, Turner, among others and; use of certain medications such as glucocorticoids, estrogen, antiepileptics or progesterone.
On the other hand, having a family history of overweight or obesity can show that the child tends to gain weight because he or she adopts the family lifestyle.
The treatment of childhood obesity should be done gradually and with a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatrician, a nutritionist, a psychologist and in some cases a social worker.
Treatment is usually based on setting exchange rates on both the child’s diet and increasing physical activity, of course everything must be adapted to age and overall health, in many cases the changes should not be adopted only at the bell by the whole family, but they should get involved and be aware of the situation , actively participating in the treatment.
In very rare and specific cases, your doctor may recommend using medications to help decrease your appetite or to treat the disease that causes the problem.
Priests should help the child adopt healthy eating habits, as some parents say:
This advice should be tailored to the family lifestyle and nutritionist’s guidelines.
Regular physical activity is essential to help children lose weight. Some counselors who help priests encourage training include:
These help prevent your child from adopting a sedentary lifestyle, while maintaining a healthy weight, regardless of age-characteristic hormonal changes.
See more tips you can follow in the video below
Complications that can occur when a child is overweight or obese with high blood pressure, increased cholesterol and triglycerides, insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, premature puberty, irregular menstruation, glucose intolerance, acanthosis nigricans, fungal infections in the abdomen and early sexual maturation.
In addition, it can cause stress, fatty liver, gallbladder stones, asthma, apnea of a man with cognitive impairment, risk of osteoarthritis over a wide range, genu valgus varus, flat foot and scoliosis.
The psychological level can also be affected by self-esteem, leading to behavioral changes, symptoms of depression and anxiety, as well as eating disorders.