Obesity in children can put the child in a dangerous situation in terms of health problems during childhood and in the child's future life, and should be treated. It causes timely recognition of health problems such as diabetes, cholesterol and blood pressure, which commonly occur in adults. Childhood obesity can be solved with healthy nutrition therapy. The most important difference when applying nutritional therapy is realized by changing the diet of the parents.
Obesity means an increase in body fat mass. Obesity in children is when this occurs during childhood or adolescence. When the energy intake with food is more than the body needs and this situation lasts for a long time, the fat tissue in the body gradually increases.
What are the Causes of Childhood Obesity?
Although the first factor among the causes of childhood obesity is the type of food originating from the family, it can develop due to many factors. We can list these reasons as follows;
- Nutrition with fast food
- Consumption of packaged foods containing a high proportion of processed foods
- Drinks with high sugar content that contribute to diabetes and obesity
- Hereditary tendency to obesity
- Some disorders that cause weight gain, such as hormone problems in the thyroid
- Hormonal factors
- Medications or medical procedures
- Excessive consumption of sweets and snacks
- Lack of physical activities
- Too much screen time
- Addiction to computer games
- Increased time spent at the desk due to exams and homework
- Sleep problems
- Not getting enough sleep in adequate amounts and at appropriate times
- Lack of exercise and sports habits
Children look up to their parents the most, and this is also true for eating habits. The food intake pattern in the environment where the child lives directly affects his/her health.
Risks in the Obese Child Category
Childhood obesity may increase the likelihood of some conditions that commonly occur in adults also occurring in childhood. We can list these diseases as follows;
Diabetes: Obesity causes insulin resistance, making it difficult to control sugar in the body and posing a danger for diabetes. Diabetes is not only related to obesity. The child's attitude towards food consumption also affects the risk of diabetes. Consuming packaged and processed foods, carbonated and sugar-containing drinks, foods high in easy carbohydrates should also be taken into consideration in the child's food intake.
High cholesterol and blood pressure: For obese children, obesity is caused by a diet high in fat, which can lead to plaque buildup in the arteries, hardening of the arteries and wear and tear on the heart. In addition, the high salt content in snack foods also increases the susceptibility to blood pressure disorders in the future.
Liver and kidney disease: Unhealthy diets and weight gain can cause damage to the organs that burden the child's body. Fatty deposits in the liver, which increase the risk of liver disorders in later life, can cause organ damage.
Respiratory system diseases: Health problems such as asthma, difficulty breathing, inability to control breathing during exercise are often seen in obese children. If sleep apnea occurs during sleep, diagnosis and treatment is important.
Bone and joint disorders: Excess weight in children puts pressure on the bones and joints in the body. Pain in the joints and injuries in the hip or back can occur.
Social hazards: Children may lose compassion for each other in this continuum. Bad behaviors such as physical criticism, teasing, peer bullying can lead to problems such as lack of self-confidence, damage to self-esteem, depression and anxiety in children. It may be necessary to get support from a specialized child psychologist to control this process.
How is Obesity Diagnosed in Children?
Diagnosing obesity in childhood is not the same as in adults. The body mass index classification applied for adults cannot be used for children. Height and weight values are used and it is checked whether the calculated body mass index ratio is within the correct ranges according to the age and gender of the child. This process should be applied by nutritionists. It is important to follow up the child at certain intervals, compare and examine the height, weight and waist area values with healthy peers.
How to Treat Obesity in Children?
Parents have a great responsibility to fight obesity in childhood. In obese children, the main goal is not to make the child thinner, but to provide appropriate nutritional attitudes.
Treatment with nutrition: Diet methods that cause sudden weight loss are not suitable for children. They adversely affect growth and development. Instead of this method, it is necessary to teach the child appropriate nutritional attitudes. The child's diet can be changed as follows;
- Preferring fruits and vegetables instead of packaged and processed foods in snacks
- Choosing foods that can be prepared at home with the child by applying healthy cooking styles instead of fast food with high fat content
- Instead of preferring carbonated drinks with high sugar content, drinks such as milk, ayran, freshly squeezed fruit juices can be added
- The child's family to adopt healthy eating methods
- Consuming healthy alternatives instead of wrong dietary choices in school life
- Preferring grain foods instead of carbohydrate-containing foods
- Dairy foods that contribute to the growth and development of children should be included in the child's diet.
It may take time for these healthy eating habits to become ingrained in the child. Since it can be difficult for children to stay away from unhealthy foods that are harmful but attract a lot of attention, it is necessary to support the child. You should definitely seek help from a dietitian specialist.
Exercise Exercise and sports are very important for the child's bone health, physical and social development. It also facilitates the development of weight control. Some small changes can be used to increase physical activity. These changes are as follows;
- If the school and home are within walking distance, walking or cycling to and from school instead of choosing a car or shuttle service
- Limiting the amount of time spent on the computer, television or phone by agreeing with the child
- Providing support to participate in sports activities, making efforts to help children choose the most suitable sport for them without putting pressure on them
- Making the use of stairs common with family members, participating in outdoor activities together, spending time in nature
- To organize activities to increase physical activity with other parents at school
Regular sleep: Research shows that insufficient sleep time has a negative effect on hormones and disrupts the balance of hunger and satiety. This poses a danger for obesity. In order for children to have enough and balanced sleep, families should not stay up late and should set an example for their children. Eight to ten hours of sleep a day and the time between 23:00 and 02:00 should definitely coincide with sleep. If there is difficulty in maintaining the necessary order at home, help can be sought from a specialized psychologist.