What is Child Obesity?

Child obesity is a very grave problem found in children nowadays. It generally refers to the age group of 6 –11 years old (children and 12 – 17 years old (adolescents). Since it can affect the physical and mental status of children, parents are concerned about this. It becomes very important to realize child obesity at a very early stage and take appropriate preventive measures to correct it.

Child obesity has been increasing on an alarming rate. Pediatricians have noted the fact that there is increase in the number of obesity related diseases in the case of children. Obesity can cause diseases like hypertension, asthma and diabetes. When you consider that overweight or obese people are at much higher risks for developing serious health problems like high blood pressure, heart disease, arthritis and diabetes, it is easy to see why it is so important to understand the causes of obesity in children. Perhaps by learning what causes the condition, parents and health care providers can go far in preventing and treating the condition before it becomes a bigger health risk.

 One of the most important consequences on health in obese children is their increased risk for diabetes.  Until recently, children who were diagnosed with diabetes had it due to their inability to produce the insulin needed by their bodies.  This is called as juvenile onset diabetes. 

Causes of Child Obesity

The three factors that lead to obesity in children are –

1. Eating habits
2. Lack of physical activities
3. Hereditary

Eating high calorie food can be a major cause for obesity. All children enjoy junk food snacks like pizza, popcorn, burgers simply because they are tasty and they should not be deprived from them, however, what parents often don’t realize is that it can easily replace a nutritious meal and that can cause damage to your child’s health in the long run. Hence parents should keep a control on their children and give them junk food only on special occasions. Normally, children should be given home cooked meal, which is high on nutritional value.

Second reason is lack of physical activities. Some children do not play outdoor games but restrict themselves to indoors all the time. So if there is no physical exercise, whatever they eat the calories are not burnt. Hence the fat gets accumulated. Television and computers are the two major reasons, which attract children and prevent them from going outside for a walk. Make sure that you are limiting the amount of time that the game consoles and television are on, and spend plenty of time playing outdoors with your kids. You can take family walks or bike rides, or organize a neighborhood basketball game. Keep your kids active as much as possible, and another cause of childhood obesity will fall by the wayside.
 
The last cause is hereditary, which is a non-curable. Child obesity is a hereditary problem. If the parents are over weight, there is a high probability that their children would also be overweight. Children with overweight or obese parents have larger risks of obesity. In hereditary cases, both parent and children should follow the instructions of the doctor.

Summary: Child obesity is a crisis in this country, but it is not a problem without a solution. When it comes to child obesity, doctors have plenty of healthy recommendations for parents that will ensure that their kids stay slim and trim. But parents should make sure that they lead by example instead of forcing their kids to do regular exercise. If parents have good eating habits kids will follow them also.