Childhood Obesity: Let's Prevent It Early!
Children's health and well-being is definitely a priority for moms and dads. Seeing a child smile cheerfully while playing will definitely be a joy for parents.
But behind the cheerful smile, sometimes we are not aware of the health conditions that may attack, even though they look fine. One condition that is often complained about in young children is obesity, a condition where the amount of fat gained is not proportional to the amount burned, causing fat accumulation and making children overweight.
Although it can affect anyone, this does not rule out that many cases of obesity also come from children, some of whom are even under 5 years old. Based on WHO data, the prevalence of childhood obesity has reached 12.7% among children aged 2 to 5 years, 20.7% among children aged 6 to 11 years, and 22.2% among children aged 12 to 19 years.
This makes obesity a serious problem for children. Plus this condition is often left unmarked because most children do not fully understand what obesity is and feel there is nothing wrong with their body.
That is why the role of parents is very important as the first detector, do they show signs that can refer to obesity? Because even though it is not visible, obesity can cause many health problems in the future.
Characteristics and Symptoms of Obesity in Children
Obesity has varied and uncertain characteristics, because not all overweight children are categorized as obese. The condition can only be diagnosed by a doctor by calculating the body mass index or body mass index using a formula, as well as looking at the age and physical health of the child.
However, you should not diagnose obesity by calculating the body mass index yourself, as high muscle mass can also result in a high body mass index and requires further examination with the relevant doctor.
However, children who are obese may show some symptoms that you can watch out for, namely:
- Shortness of breath
- Poor posture
- Snoring during sleep
- Back pain
- Tired easily
- Sweats easily
Causes of Childhood Obesity
There are many factors that can increase a child's risk of obesity, namely:
1.Genetic
If you or your family has a history of obesity, then there is a possibility that your child will also be obese, especially if your family is used to an unhealthy lifestyle.
2.Irregular diet
Children will have a greater risk of becoming obese if they have an irregular diet from an early age. Foods high in calories, sugar, and fat can increase a child's risk of obesity.
3.Lack of physical activity
The most effective way to burn excess calories is by doing physical activity. So if children are not accustomed to physical activity, this can increase their risk of obesity.
4.Psychological influence
Children with psychological disorders may develop habits that lead to obesity. Research reveals that children who have high levels of stress and anxiety may create a self-soothing mechanism by consuming excess food which can increase the risk of obesity.
Effect of Obesity on Children
Obesity can definitely risk causing physical health problems in children. Some of these health problems can even affect them until they grow up, some of which are:
- Asthma
- Sleep apnea
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol
- Heart disease
In addition, obesity also has a risk in developing mental health disorders, such as bullying, low self-confidence, and depression.
When to See a Doctor?
Not all overweight children can be considered obese, but as a parent it is good if you continue to monitor your child's weight growth. If you feel that your child has started to become overweight and their weight is starting to interfere with their health, get them checked by a pediatrician.
The sooner you act, the easier it will be for your child to start a weight loss program.
Preventing Childhood Obesity
Let's prevent the triggers from now on! There are things you can do to lower your child's risk of obesity:
1. Set a good example
Children usually imitate what their parents do, so by giving them a good lifestyle example, your child will probably imitate what you do.
2. Ensure a regular sleep schedule
Irregular sleep schedules are known to disrupt hormones and increase hunger. Make sure your children get enough sleep to reduce excessive hunger and lead to overweight.
3. Introduce new foods
Most children have food issues because they are not used to new foods. Introduce them to other foods to get their taste buds used to other foods.
4. Pay attention to calorie intake
Make sure you always pay attention to the calorie intake they get in a day to control their weight. You can consult this with your pediatrician for maximum results.
Let's prevent childhood obesity from now on. Obesity is a condition that can last for a long time, and if not treated immediately, it will greatly interfere with the health of the baby.
Thank you for reading this artilce. Have a nice day.
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