What Is Obesity In Children

In the struggle to comprehend the intricacies of our children’s health, an alarming issue rises to the fore: childhood obesity. This ailment, more than just carrying extra pounds, exerts a devastating impact on the young’s overall health and longevity. This article will shed light on what obesity in children truly is, not merely from a superficial perspective but really understanding the root causes, the dire consequences, and the essential fights against it for a brighter, healthier future for the younger ones.

Understanding Obesity

Obesity is a complex, multi-factorial and chronic disease characterized by the accumulation of excess body fat to an extent that it impairs health. It affects individuals of all ages, including children and adolescents.

Definition of Obesity

Obesity in children refers to a body weight that’s significantly above what’s considered healthy for a particular age and height. Scientifically, it’s defined as a Body Mass Index (BMI) at or above the 95th percentile for children of the same age and gender.

Difference between Obesity and Overweight

While both terms refer to a body weight that’s above what’s generally considered healthy, they are not synonymous. ‘overweight’ means that an individual has an excess amount of body weight that may come from muscle, bone, fat, etc. ‘Obesity’, on the other hand, specifically refers to an excess amount of body fat.

Global Statistics on Obesity

Globally, obesity is an escalating problem. According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents aged 5-19 years has risen dramatically from just 4% in 1975 to over 18% in 2016.

Causes of Obesity in Children

Obesity in children is mainly caused by a lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of both.

Genetic Factors

Genetics plays a vital role in the development of obesity. Children with obese parents are much more likely to become obese than those with lean parents, due to the inheritance of genes that influence body weight regulation.

Dietary Habits

Frequent consumption of high-calorie foods, such as fast foods, baked goods and vending machine snacks, can easily cause children to gain weight. Eating large portions, especially in the absence of corresponding physical activity, also contributes to weight gain.

Low Physical Activity

Children today spend a lot of time engaging in sedentary activities, like watching TV or playing video games. This reduces their time for physical activity, leading to weight gain.

Environmental Factors

Environmental factors such as the availability and marketing of unhealthy foods and beverages, lack of safe spaces for physical activity, and societal norms and values can all influence the dietary and physical activity behaviors of children.

Psychological Factors

Emotional factors, like stress, can lead to overeating or unhealthy eating. Some children may overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions like stress, or even boredom.

Health Effects of Childhood Obesity

Obesity during childhood can have a harmful effect on the body in numerous ways, leading to both immediate and long-term health effects.

Physical Health Problems

Child obesity has been linked to numerous physical health issues, including high cholesterol, high blood pressure, early heart disease, diabetes, bone problems, and skin conditions.

Psychological Health Problems

Children with obesity often face social isolation and bullying, which can lead to low self-esteem and depression.

Long-Term Health Risks

Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood, and more likely to develop non-communicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age.

Measuring Obesity

It’s important to measure obesity accurately for the proper diagnosis and management.

Body Mass Index (BMI) in Children

BMI is a key measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity. It’s calculated by dividing a person’s weight in kilograms by the square of their height in meters. For children and teens, BMI is age and sex-specific and is often referred to as BMI-for-age.

Excess Body Fat

Excess body fat can also be determined through lab tests or physical exams that measure fat distribution and the percentage of total body fat.

Effects of Culture and Society on Childhood Obesity

Culture and society greatly influence children’s eating habits and physical activity levels.

Influence of Television and Advertising

Children are bombarded with commercials for foods high in sugar, fat and salt, which highly influence their food choices.

Impact of Fast-Food Culture

The convenience of fast-food and the culture surrounding it significantly contribute to unhealthy dietary practices.

Societal Pressure and Body Image

Societal pressure for thinness may lead some children to engage in unhealthy dieting habits, which later evolves into disordered eating and obesity.

Preventative Measures against Childhood Obesity

Preventing childhood obesity requires a coordinated and comprehensive approach that includes a supportive environment that promotes healthy choices.

Development of Healthy Eating Habits

Children should be encouraged to eat a variety of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, limit sugar-sweetened beverages, limit TV time and remove TVs from children’s bedrooms.

Promotion of Regular Physical Activity

Children should be encouraged to engage in an hour or more of physical activity every day. Physical activity can greatly help prevent weight gain and maintain weight loss.

Family Involvement in Weight Management

Parents have an important role in making healthy food readily available in the home and being positive role models by making healthy lifestyle choices themselves.

Treatment of Obesity in Children

For children identified as being overweight or obesity, it’s important to engage in a comprehensive treatment approach.

Medical Treatments

Medical treatments for childhood obesity include dietary therapy, physical activity, behaviour modification and in some severe cases, medication.

Counseling and Behavioral Modifications

Counselling and behavior modifications massively aid in addressing any psychological or emotional issues related to eating, and promoting healthier behaviors.

Surgical Interventions

Though not commonly performed, for severely obese adolescents, surgical intervention could be an option.

Challenges in Combating Childhood Obesity

Even with the known measures, there are challenges when it comes to combating childhood obesity.

Barrier of Unhealthy Food Availability

The availability of unhealthy food options, both at home and at school, is a major obstacle to combating the childhood obesity epidemic.

Difficulty in Sustaining Physical Activity

Ensuring children stay active and engaged in physical activities on a regular basis is a challenge.

Managing Negative Social Perception

A significant challenge is to change the perception of society about obesity and promote a healthy body image.

Role of Schools in Addressing Childhood Obesity

Schools can play a significant role in combating childhood obesity.

Implementation of School-based Health and Fitness Programs

Schools can implement comprehensive health and fitness programs that promote healthy lifestyle choices and physical activity.

Promoting Balanced Diets in School Canteens

Schools can ensure that foods and beverages sold or served in school canteens meet dietary guidelines.

Incorporating Physical Education in School Curriculum

Physical education should be a core component of the school curriculum, thereby ensuring that every student has the opportunity to be active during the school day.

Public Health Policies and Childhood Obesity

Public health policies can substantially influence the childhood obesity epidemic.

National and Community Initiatives

Initiatives at the national and community level are crucial in promoting healthy food choices and physical activity.

Role of Government Policies

Government policies can significantly contribute to making healthy choices easier, for instance by providing tax incentives for businesses to provide healthy foods, or investing in safe, accessible leisure facilities.

Aiming for Sustainable Changes

By aiming for sustainable changes, we can ensure a healthier future for our children, reducing the incidence and impact of obesity. Comprehensive policies that create healthy environments and practices, reinforcing healthy lifestyle habits, are fundamental to reducing the prevalence of childhood obesity. It requires us all – individuals, families, communities, and governments – to come together and realize the importance of the issue at hand. Only then can we ensure a healthier future for our children.