Introduction

Obesity in childhood is one of the major emerging health problems. It can have a significant effect on the physical and mental well-being of the child. In today’s era of technology, children spend most of their free time watching television, playing video games, or surfing on the internet. Outdoor games have become outdated for them. As far as eating habits are concerned, most children throw tantrums for eating green leafy vegetables, fruits, and salads. The only things that interest them are fast food, cold drinks, etc., which have become a staple diet for them. These are not only unhealthy but also devoid of the nutrition required for growing children.

If obesity is not controlled, it can make the child vulnerable to many adult noncommunicable diseases at an early age. It can predispose the child to diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, and cardiovascular disorders. It can also lead to a decrease in confidence, bullying issues, a decrease in learning, and depression.

Causes of obesity in children

• Lack of physical activity and exercise- Children nowadays are too lazy to perform any physical activity. Also, children spend a lot of their time on video games and mobile phones, thus limiting their exercise and physical activity.
• Inappropriate eating habits- Fast food, chocolates, and cold drinks are popular foods among children. These food items increase the weight of children without providing any nutrients.
• Familial factors-Familial factors play a very important role, as obesity in the parents increases the risk of obesity in children; however, this can also be attributed to unhealthy eating practices and lack of physical work in the family.
• Hormonal or medical disorders- Various disorders like hypothyroidism, and Cushing syndrome can cause obesity in children.

How is childhood obesity calculated?

Childhood obesity is calculated based on the BMI (Body Mass Index). This measurement uses a child’s height and weight to estimate whether the child is underweight, healthy, or overweight. A child who is at the 95th percentile of BMI or higher than the 95th percentile is considered obese or overweight.

Risks of childhood obesity

• Diabetes and hypertension- Children who are overweight or obese are at high risk of developing hypertension and type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.
• Cardiovascular disorders- The cases of cardiovascular diseases have been rising in children. Management of obesity at the earliest can decrease the risk of stroke and heart attack in children.
• Asthma- Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that narrows down the lungs’ airways. The risk of asthma increases in overweight persons.
• Joint pain

Ways to prevent childhood obesity

Although childhood obesity is a major health concern, a positive aspect of it is that most of its causes are preventable .Considering all these things, it becomes an important responsibility of the parents to regulate the lifestyle of their children. It has been rightly said that the children learn from what their elders do. Hence, the most important step is to inculcate healthy eating habits and exercise and physical work in the family. The following measures can be taken to develop healthy habits in children.

I. The children should be educated about the importance of eating healthy food and doing physical work. They should be taught how following healthy practices can make them strong and active. They should also be educated about the harmful effects of unhealthy food on their body.

II. As already discussed, children always learn what they see at home. Hence, it is equally important for the parents to follow healthy eating habits. They should include fruits, salads, and green leafy vegetables in their diet as well. Also, parents should try to take out time for themselves and indulge themselves in any sort of physical activity or exercise for at least half to one hour in a day.

III. Nowadays, due to increasing competition, most of the children are occupied with studies throughout the day. Even after school, they attend numerous tuition and coaching classes. Because of this, they cannot take time for any sports activity. Hence, it becomes the responsibility of parents to not overburden the children with studies and encourage them to play outdoor games of their choice. Parents should also participate with children in sports to motivate them. Parents should ensure that the children do exercise or physical work for at least one hour. A variety of coaching classes for sports and dance are also available these days. Children should be motivated to join at least one of them so that their routines can be maintained.

IV. We all know that children are highly fascinated by fast food, which is easily available and is more appealing to the eyes and tongue than healthy food. Sometimes, even parents surrender to the obstinance of their children. However, both the parents and children need to understand how harmful they are to the body. Even if fast food is given to them, it should be given occasionally, and efforts should be made to make them at home. Also, healthy food like salad, fruits, green vegetables, milk, eggs, etc. should be included regularly in the diet. The vegetables can be given in the form of soups, chapatti rolls, or sandwiches to make them appealing to the child. The quantity of the food eaten should also be regulated, as children tend to eat beyond their satiety when the food is tasty. Also, children should be encouraged to drink plenty of water.

V. Last but not least, it is equally important for the child to have adequate sleep for at least 8 hours. Parents should also try to reduce the time their child spends on television, the internet, and video games to a minimum.

Conclusion

Childhood obesity has become a matter of serious concern. Its underlying causes should be identified at an early stage; otherwise, its consequences can ruin your child’s health. Obesity prevention measures should be started as early as possible. It becomes the responsibility of parents and other family members to maintain a healthy lifestyle and balanced diet for children.

Regular check-ups with pediatricians can also help monitor your child's growth and development, and any concerns about weight gain can be addressed early. Although childhood obesity is a major health problem, combined efforts of parents and children to adopt a healthy lifestyle pattern can help to combat it.

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