Over the years adolescent and childhood obesity disease has grown. Obesity is among the easiest medical conditions to be familiar with, but to treat is easier said than done.
Each year due to unhealthy weight gain, poor diet and lack of exercise there are over 290,000 deaths. Over $100 billion is the cost annually for obesity and is increasing. Healthier eating and exercise patterns children need to learn and maintain. The odds are that overweight children will become over weight adults.
If the weight gain of a child is ten percent higher than what is recommended for their height and body type, obesity can now occur. Obesity usually starts in childhood between the ages of 5 and 6, and during adolescence.
Studies indicate that if a child is obese before the age of 13 they have a very high percentage rate of becoming an obese adult. Almost eighty percent of these children will become extremely over weight.
Childhood Obesity Disease
Biological, genetic, behavioral and cultural factors are the causes of childhood obesity disease. When a person digests more calories in food than the body can burn, weight gain and obesity occur.
If a parent is extremely overweight, the children will usually also be obese. The odds increase greatly of children being obese when both parents are extremely overweight. Less than one percent of all obesity is caused by physical problems. Childhood obesity disease can be related to:
• Lack of exercise and poor eating habits
• Stressful life events or changes in a child’s life (moved, divorce, death etc.)
• Depression or emotional problems, medical illness, medications
• Overeating or binge eating
• Lack of self esteem
• Family history of obesity
• Family or school peer problems
Obesity in a Child and adolescent may increase the risk of emotional problems and the child may have a low opinion of themselves and be less popular in school. Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) can also occur along with anxiety and depression being overweight.
Childhood obesity disease risks and complication factors may occur including:
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Risk of heart disease
• Breathing problems and trouble sleeping
Having a medical examination by the family physician may determine the cause of an obese child. In order for a child to lose weight the reduction of the number of calories consumed must be decreased and physical activities increased.
Changing food habits, eating healthier and regular exercise as a family will improve motivation and positive attitudes in order to control weight increase for the child, adolescent or yourself.
To manage obesity in children or adolescents begins with a weight management agenda that will change eating habits so the child learns to eat slower and develops a routine.
Fatty foods, junk food or fast foods should be replaced with nutritional foods, low calorie and protein and fiber foods. Controlling the portions with a meal plan agenda will help with the weight loss. Increasing physical activity and exercise in a child or adolescent as part of their daily routine. A family activity every day will improve weight loss and promote a higher self esteem giving the child strengths and positive awareness.
Childhood Obesity Disease
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