Obesity In Childhood: A Big Problem

To date, childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health problems. It is a worldwide phenomenon and the number of cases is gradually increasing. It is a disorder that is associated with countries such as the United States. Nevertheless, it also affects smaller countries with lower incomes. Unfortunately, it is estimated that around 42 million children under the age of five suffer from childhood obesity.

Obesity is a disease that not only affects the appearance. In fact, it has serious health consequences. For example, children who suffer from it have a greater risk of suffering from diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease throughout life. 

In the society we live in, it seems difficult for children to maintain a healthy lifestyle and have a healthy diet. However, we must strive to eliminate this problem. In this article we will tell you everything you need to know about childhood obesity.

What is childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity is one of the most common nutritional disorders at this age. It involves an excess amount of body fat, which puts the baby’s health at risk.

It is a disease that involves many factors. It does not just depend on nutrition. In fact, genes and physical activity are also two major determinants. However, a poor diet is one of the biggest causes of this disorder. Many people nowadays abuse energy-dense foods with a higher percentage of saturated fatty acids.

In short, childhood obesity is a combination of an unbalanced diet, a sedentary lifestyle and genes, among other things. As we mentioned above, it is important to know that this disease is associated with a number of health problems, including diabetes.

How to know if a child is suffering from obesity?

Childhood obesity is not diagnosed by appearance. Instead, it is calculated by a parameter called ‘body mass index’ or BMI. BMI relates weight to height and is calculated by dividing weight (in kg) by height (in meters) elevated in others.

Many tables and references compare BMIs with standard levels to know if the child is suffering from obesity or not. Nevertheless, it is more appropriate to use percentage curves for comparison in children.

The risk factors for developing childhood obesity

As we mentioned above, this disease does not depend only on the child’s diet. In fact, there are a number of factors that come into play, such as:

• Gener. A number of studies have linked obese parents with obese children, and claim that if one parent suffers from obesity, it is three times as likely that the child suffers from obesity. However, it is difficult to differentiate whether it is due to lifestyle or genes.
• Birth weight. Researchers have related children born with a body weight of more than 4 kg to suffering from childhood obesity or adulthood.
• Interestingly, breastfeeding a baby in the first year of life seems to be associated with a lower risk of childhood obesity. 

• Place of birth. This is because it seems that children who live in a rural area have a more active lifestyle, while those who grow up in the city tend to live a more sedentary life.

This disorder is associated with other factors such as sleep or family financial condition. However, we must make it clear that the key to addressing this issue is to focus on the child’s lifestyle. 

How to reduce the risk of childhood obesity?

This disease can affect the rest of the child’s life. This is because in addition to affecting self-esteem and appearance, it leads to an increased risk of cardiovascular and metabolic problems. 

Therefore, it is important to act and seek help to follow a healthy diet. If you do not know how to do this, it is best to consult a doctor or nutritionist. 

It is also ideal for children to stay active. Introducing sports into their daily routine can be the first step. In fact, it will also help to improve the child’s social skills and let them have fun.