Introduction to Childhood Obesity
There has been increasing interest and concern about childhood obesity. This is a global problem that is being fueled by changing patterns and lifestyles related to societal and economic patterns and changes. Increasingly, children are placed in settings where unhealthy foods and insufficient amounts of physical activities are promoted. Inactivity and supersized food consumption are becoming the norm. One of the most pressing reasons for adults to reestablish healthy active living models is the overwhelming evidence that body weight problems now remain as body weight problems then: one third of the preschool population consisted of overweight or obese individuals along the early years, and reaching the end of growth, to enter adulthood in most cases with impeded health; thus reinforcing unhealthy life cycles. Addressing the inactivity – lifestyle relationship is like investing in nature reserves – the payback is long-term and may be the restoration of the world as we knew it when we were kids.
Factors Contributing to Childhood Obesity
In general, children are obese or overweight from overeating and getting little to no physical exercise. Causes of childhood obesity include overeating, snacking, eating too much “fast food” (high-calorie, low-nutrient meals), consuming too many sugary drinks, and not engaging in enough physical exercise. More complex factors include psychological factors caused by parents, peers, and teachers, as well as the impact of family, peer, and neighbor social networks.
One in three American children is obese or overweight. Being an obese child can cause psychological and social complications, including low self-esteem, teasing by others, and depression. Children with serious weight problems are at high risk for developing high cholesterol, high blood pressure, insulin resistance (which can lead to diabetes), arthritis, and breathing difficulties such as asthma and sleep apnea. Childhood obesity can later increase the risk of their children being obese and also increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases. The risk of adult obesity and obesity-related diseases increases with the age that a child is obese.
Prevention and Intervention Strategies
For prevention and treatment to achieve success, a significant emphasis should be placed on lifestyle improvements, especially because of the scientifically proven benefits and Second Step activities that will help each child begin today. The need to consume and expend energy from here. However, obesity results when the number of calories consumed is consistently greater than the amount of calories expended for energy. If physical activity levels exceed energy intakes over a long period of time, then becoming overweight is unlikely. Research has also shown that sedentary activities are positively related to weight increase. Clearly, this is a critical area for intervention that programs seek to address by focusing on physical activity levels and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all children using physical education and by emphasizing encouragement of age-appropriate activity levels at home.
Conclusion
There is an increasing burden of childhood obesity over the globe. It is important to understand childhood obesity from multiple perspectives, including epidemiology, its causes, and consequences, so that proper preventive and management strategies can be applied.
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH AND MEDICINE ORGANIZATION
IHMO
