Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Obesity in Children

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Obesity in Children

Childhood obesity is a very serious medical condition that affects children as well as adolescents. Obesity is defined as the increase in body weight and resulting in excess body fat. Now, let's take a look at what is curious about the causes, symptoms and treatment of obesity in children.

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Obesity in Children

Obesity, which causes health problems such as hypertension, diabetes, vascular obstruction, kidney diseases, premature puberty, menstrual irregularity and hair growth in girls, gall bladder inflammation, fatty liver, short breathing pauses, snoring, increased risk of cancer, skeletal problems, hip curvature and depression In our news we need to know about it. Here are the Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Obesity in Children.

OBESITY

Obesity can be defined as the excess amount of fat stored in the body. To define obesity clinically, the body mass index obtained by the ratio of weight to height square (kg / m2) is used. Accordingly, adults with a body mass index (BMI) above 25 are defined as overweight, and those over 30 are defined as obese. In children, using BMI percentile curves prepared according to age and gender, children with> 85th percentile are classified as overweight and those with> 90th percentile as obese. In addition, bodyweight for age, weight for height, measurement of skinfold thickness, and body composition in terms of fat content are other diagnostic methods.

CAUSES OF OBESITY IN CHILDREN

The reasons why more and more children are becoming obese include:

Behavioral factors: Eating larger portions of food, eating calorie-rich food but nutrient-poor foods (junk foods), spending too much time in front of a television or computer, and spending too little time on physical activities.

Environmental factors: Easy access to high-calorie snacks, little time for physical activity, lack of parking and playgrounds in some communities.

Genetic factors: When at least one parent is obese, the risk of obesity in the child increases. However, genes don't necessarily mean that a child will be overweight.

Medications: Steroids, some antidepressants, and others.

Medical conditions: Genetic syndromes such as Prader-Willi and hormonal conditions such as hypothyroidism are among the medical disorders that can cause obesity.

SYMPTOMS OF OBESITY IN CHILDREN

Clothes that do not fit the body of children

Having problems with activities such as climbing stairs or active games

Restless sleep and snoring

Constipation, gastroesophageal reflux

Shortness of breath while resting or during activity

Tiredness

Irregular menstrual cycle in premature puberty and girls; delayed puberty in men.

Causes, Symptoms and Treatment of Obesity in Children

OBESITY TREATMENT IN CHILDREN

Childhood obesity treatment is provided depending on the age of the child and the presence of other medical conditions. Treatments are often a combination of changes in the child's eating habits and increased physical activity.

Prevention and treatment of childhood obesity can be achieved with less food consumption and increased physical activity. However, it should be remembered that long-term weight loss and diet programs have proven extremely difficult to achieve.

One of the best strategies for reducing childhood obesity is to rethink all your family's eating and exercise habits. Treating and preventing childhood obesity will help you protect your child's health now and in the future.