Obesity in children
and adolescents is a serious issue with many health
and social consequences that often continue into
adulthood. Obesity in kids is now reaching alarming
proportions. As these days kids spend more time
in front of television, computer and video screens,
their physical activity levels have decreased.
Consequently, their body weights have increased.
- Obesity
in kids is now epidemic in the United States.
- The number of children who are overweight
has doubled in the last two to three decades;
currently one child in five is overweight.
Causes of Childhood Obesity
- Eating too much Fat-rich food.
- Inadequate exercise. Kids who watch the
most hours of television have the highest
incidence of obesity.
- Eating
disorders.
- Hormonal or genetic problems: The risk
of becoming obese is greatest among children
who have two obese parents. This may be due
to powerful genetic factors or to parental
modeling of both eating and exercise behaviors,
indirectly affecting the child's energy balance.
Click here to know about CAUSES
OF OBESITY .
Complications of Childhood
Obesity
- Obese children and adolescents have shown
an alarming increase in the incidence of type
2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes.
- Many obese children have high cholesterol
and blood pressure levels, which are risk
factors for heart disease.
- One of the most severe problems for obese
children is sleep apnea (interrupted breathing
while sleeping). In some cases this can lead
to problems with learning and memory.
- Obese children have a high incidence of
orthopedic problems, liver disease, and asthma.
- Overweight adolescents have a 70 percent
chance of becoming overweight or obese adults.
- Social and psychological problems like
low self-esteem and depression affect relationships
with peers.
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HEALTH
RISKS & OBESITY .
Manage Childhood Obesity
If you are concerned your child may be overweight,
talk to your doctor. A health care professional
can measure your child's height and weight and
calculate a ratio known as body mass index (BMI
). This number is compared to a growth chart for
children of your kid's age and gender to determine
whether his or her weight is in a healthy range.
Once, the child has been evaluated for the cause
and complications of obesity, initiate the treatment.
Set a healthy example.
If your children see you reach for a
banana instead of French fries, they are likely
to do the same. If they see you go for a walk
or wash the car, they may join in.
No drugs are recommended for
weight loss in children. The family and all caregivers
should participate in the treatment program. The
family should monitor eating and activity in the
child.
1. Be supportive
- Be supportive. Do not single out or remind
your children of their weight. They need acceptance,
encouragement and love.
2. Encourage Activity
- You can help your children maintain a healthy
body weight by encouraging them to be active.
- Encourage your children to participate
in sports activities.
- Plan the family activities that involve
exercise. Instead of watching TV, go hiking
or biking, wash the car, or walk around a
mall. Offer choices and let your children
decide.
3. Nutritious Diet
- Eat meals together as a family and eat
at the table, not in front of a television.
Eat slowly and enjoy the food.
- Encourage your children to eat nutritious
food like salad bars and baked food rather
than sodas and french fries.
- Keep healthy snacks on hand. Good options
include fresh, frozen, or canned fruits and
vegetables; low-fat cheese, yogurt or ice
cream.
- Do not use food as a reward or punishment.
Children should not be placed on restrictive
diets, unless advised by a doctor (for medical
reasons). Children need food for growth, development
and energy.
4. Time Management
Set guidelines for the amount
of time your children can spend watching television
or playing video games. An important part of treating
obesity among children and adolescents is for
parents and healthcare professionals to be sensitive
to the youngsters and focus on the positive. Small
and achievable weight loss goals should be set
to avoid discouragement and to allow for the normal
growth process. Involvement of the entire family
is also a motivating factor. Weight control programs
that involve both parents and the child have shown
improvement in long-term effectiveness compared
to directing the program only to the child. |
