Obesity increases the risk of stroke in children
Obesity, one of the most important health problems of our age, is also a great threat for children. Experts warn that those who are overweight compared to their peers between the ages of 8 and 20 have a 71% increased risk of having a stroke.
Üsküdar University Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation Department Head Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya said that obesity and overweight, which cause many health problems, threaten children as well as adults.
Stating that children with obesity or overweight have a significantly higher risk of stroke in the future compared to normal weight children, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya said:
"What awaits tonton children who look so cute and sweet to us when we see them? Data obtained from 40 thousand individuals followed for many years showed us that unpleasant things await overweight children.
Young people who were at a normal weight at the age of 8 and started to gain weight in their 20s due to preparation for exams, computer and technology addiction, laziness or other reasons are waiting for a stroke in their later years. Moreover, they are 81% more likely than their peers who were at a normal weight in their 20s."
TWO-UNIT INCREASE IN VISCOSITY INCREASES THE RISK OF STROKE
Pointing out that every two unit increase in the Body Mass Index (BMI), that is, the value obtained by dividing our body weight by the square of our height, increases the risk of stroke by 20%, Kaya said, "The normal limits of BMI are: 19-24 for 19-24 years; 20-25 for 25-34 years; 21-26 for 35-44 years; 22-27 for 45-54 years and 24-29 for over 65 years.
Likewise, every two unit increase in BMI increases the risk of acute ischemic stroke (stroke caused by narrowing or blockage of the blood vessel supplying blood to the brain and interruption of blood flow) requiring emergency intervention.
Again, every two unit increase in BMI increases the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding into the brain) requiring emergency intervention by 28%."
RISK DECREASES WITH WEIGHT LOSS IN ADOLESCENCE
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya pointed out that the rate of stroke in children who are overweight compared to their peers at the ages of 8 and 20 is 71% and said, "The most beautiful finding is that individuals who are overweight at the age of 8 but normal weight at the age of 20 have a chance to be as healthy in their adulthood as those who were at a healthy weight at the ages of 8 and 20."
WHICH EXERCISES SHOULD CHILDREN DO?
Stating that childhood obesity is an issue that requires urgent intervention, Kaya said, "If your child is overweight or obese compared to his/her peers, he/she should be included in a detailed exercise and sports program after a good and detailed medical examination. I should also emphasize that children get bored with exercise. The best thing is to have your children do exercise under the name of sports. Which exercise or sport should be done? Of course, your sports physician and physiotherapist will determine this decision as a result of individual-specific evaluations." and gave a few examples according to age:
Under 5 years old - for children who cannot walk:
Crawling - Active play - Crawling
For toddlers under 5 years old:
Climbing - Walking - Walking - Climbing - Running games
For children and young people:
Running - Football, basketball, volleyball...- Trampoline - Tennis, squash, badminton - Gymnastics
Defense sports Karate and taekwondo - Jumping
Bodyweight push-ups, planks, squats and stepping exercises
Aerobics and boxing with music
Rock/wall climbing
Dance
PLAY SPORTS TOO
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Defne Kaya made the following suggestions: "Turn summer vacation into an opportunity. Direct your children to sports in the sea, pool and sand, or if you do not have these opportunities, in summer camps, parks and playgrounds. Remember that children imitate their parents' behavior very well. It will not be very convincing to direct them to sports while you lead a sedentary life. Do sports to protect both your own health and your child's health and future."