Obesity is becoming more common every day, and so is childhood obesity. This is a serious medical condition that affects the quality of life of young people. And you know that if something is bad for the child, it is bad for the whole family.

Childhood obesity is of significant concern because extra weight in childhood paves the way for health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which are known to be problems for adults. Furthermore, childhood obesity can also lead to low self-esteem and depression.

Certainly, the best way to reduce childhood obesity is to change the eating and exercise habits of the entire family as much as possible. Preventing childhood obesity keeps your child’s health safe, today and in the future.

 

What are the symptoms of childhood obesity?

Extra weight doesn’t always mean your child is obese. Some children just have larger than average bodies. And also, a certain amount of body fat is really crucial at different stages of your child’s development.

The best way to make sure your child is obese is to take a look at the body mass index (BMI) value, which provides a universal guideline on limits and is the accepted measure of obesity. If you’re worried that your child is gaining too much weight, it’s time to pay a visit to the doctor. The doctor will check previous growth charts and BMI and will probably require other tests for more convenience.

 

Causes of childhood obesity

Poor diet: Eating high-calorie foods, especially fast food, sugary drinks, and bakery products can cause unwanted extra weight. It would be good to be careful how much of these your child consumes.

Lack of exercise: Modern hobbies force us to sit more than we need to, and children are likely to adopt them faster than us. Make sure he/she gets out and exercises enough.

Family lifestyle: If you are a family of overweight people, the younger parts are more likely to gain weight. In a home where high-calorie foods are always around, the risk of childhood obesity is definitely higher.

Psychological factor: We generally think that stress is part of adult life, but it is not. Children also suffer from stress and it increases the risk of child obesity. Just like us, some children overeat to cope with psychological problems and sometimes to fight boredom.

 

Preventing obesity in children

The first and best practice is to be a good example as an adult. Make your own healthy food at home and also invite your child to participate. This will create a good habit for the young one.

Also, make physical activity a part of your whole family life. In the end, everyone will benefit and no one will feel left out.

Make sure healthy snacks are always available and offer new foods as often as possible. Your child won’t immediately favor a new food, but don’t rush the results and they won’t get discouraged. Give them time, as it always takes multiple exposures to a new food to be accepted.

Don’t always choose food rewards, as this is a very common mistake. Promising candy or burgers for good behavior is not always a good idea. A walk outside or a visit to a new place, on the other hand, will excel.

Make sure your child gets enough sleep, as sleep is a key source of physical growth, which is directly linked to the risks of obesity. Studies show that poor sleep habits increase the risk of obesity, causing a hormonal imbalance that can lead to irregular appetite.

 

Need more information about obesity?

Need more information about obesity?

We are a team of professionals in two teams, one here in Romania and the other in Turkey with exceptional medical facilities. Our brand goal is to help you with the latest medical discoveries and advice. So if you need further information about childhood obesity, please feel free to contact us at any time. We will be happy to answer you.