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Last Updated on May 5, 2023 by Team THIP
Childhood obesity has become very common and is a pressing public health concern worldwide. Its prevalence is on the rise, and this trend is alarming. For children who are already overweight, seeking medical advice and developing a comprehensive plan to address the issue is essential. With proper management, childhood obesity can be treated, and its associated health problems can be prevented. This article provides a detailed overview of childhood obesity, covering its definition, causes, prevalence, and effective strategies for prevention.
What is childhood obesity?
Medical professionals consider children who have a body mass index (BMI) equal to or above 95% of their peers to have obesity. The presence of significant overweight or excess body fat defines this medical condition. This condition can result in various health complications, including but not limited to diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnea, and joint issues. Beyond physical health problems, childhood obesity can also give rise to emotional and social issues, such as low self-esteem and depression.
What causes childhood obesity?
Obese children are above the average weight for their height and age. Factors that play a pivotal role in the rising prevalence of obesity include environmental factors, lifestyle preferences, and cultural environment.
Other common causes of childhood obesity include an imbalance between energy intake and expenditure, excessive intake of sugar, increased portion size, and lack of physical activity. Childhood obesity can adversely affect children’s physical, social, and emotional well-being of children. There are certain risks of childhood obesity. These include heart disease, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, diabetes, etc.
What is the prevalence of childhood obesity?
The World Health Organization estimated that in 2016, 41 million children under the age of 5 years were living with overweight or obesity. Childhood obesity has become a very common phenomenon. It has reached epidemic levels in developed as well as developing nations. According to data till 2015, more than 14.4 million children are obese in India, the second-highest rate globally, behind China. Researchers in another study found that the prevalence of obesity was below 2 per cent. Moreover, in children above 5 yr, the prevalence of obesity varied between 2 to 8 percent.
How is childhood obesity treated?
Preventing childhood obesity is essential, and it starts with a healthy lifestyle. Encouraging children to eat a well-balanced diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, as well as engaging in regular physical activity, can help prevent obesity. If it occurs, medical professionals can treat it through various methods, including diet therapy, physical activity, or behaviour modification. In certain cases, if the obesity in the child is a result of some other diseases, then doctors may prescribe some medication.
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