OBESITY IN CHILDREN AND TEENS

Obesity

Generally, a child is considered obese when the weight is at least 10% higher that what is recommended for their height and body type; otherwise when the BMI is 30 and above. Studies have shown that a child who is obese between the ages of 10 and 13 has an 80% chance of becoming an obese adult. Obesity occurs when a child eats more calories than the body burns up.

Causes

Causes of obesity could be genetic, biological, behavioural and cultural. Obesity in childhood and teenage can be related to:

• Poor eating habits and binge eating
• Lack of exercise
• A Family history of obesity
• Low self-esteem
• Depression or other emotional problems

Risks and Complications

Physical complications of obesity include:

• Increased risk of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Breathing problems
• Insomnia
• Depression
• Anxiety

Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular among their friends.

We see here that the disadvantages of obesity in childhood outweighs the advantages. Let us take deliberate steps to curb this menace in our children.

Curbing the Menace

Lasting weight loss can only occur when there is self motivation, making healthy eating and regular exercise a family activity.

Manage your Child's Obesity by:

• Changing eating habits such as eating less fatty foods, and avoiding late night crunching
• Plan meals, make better ingredient selections
• Control meal portions
• Increase physical activity such as walking, jogging, biking, hiking, playing football, swimming together; simply have a more active lifestyle
• Monitor your child's food in school
• Have family dining times at table instead of in front of the TV
• Please do not use food as a reward
• Limit snacks

Families are encouraged to motivate obese children to have healthy weights and support with tender care those who make the effort to lose weight.

A few facts gathered from a research.

The WHO has issued guidance on emerging double threat of childhood obesity and under nutrition in low-and-middle income countries; implying that this issue is more serious than we think to attract the attention of the WHO.

That low and middle income countries neglect overweight and obesity as major health threats. More than 75% of overweight children live in developing countries with prevalence in Africa almost doubling in the last 2 decades.

Personal Observations

In my view, childhood obesity has two sides. On one hand, under nutrition, obesity and overweight are forms of malnutrition with causes and consequences closely linked to inadequacies in the food system; which does not deliver a sufficient amount of quality food, can lead both to poor growth and to excess weight gain. 

In contrast but a more common sight, childhood obesity comes as a result of lack of or insufficient parental care. Children who are often left on their own, eat anything at any time, while their parents either look on without effective control measures or hardly find the time to monitor their diets.

Obese children, more likely to be obese adults, have an increased risk of diabetes and other diseases. Factors during pregnancy and infancy could affect an older child and adult's weights. 

A child who has grown poorly in his first years of life may turn into a short but overweight adolescent and then later in life, develop chronic disease as an adult.

Reference:www.aacap.org, ghanabusinessnews.com