Actual wellness is the principal prerequisite for a cheerful and delightful life. Staying healthy requires healthy eating habits, a regular lifestyle and moderate weight. Those who do not maintain a healthy lifestyle, have irregular food and avoid physical exercise, easily accumulate excess fat in their body. This problem of excess weight gain is called obesity. It becomes a matter of concern when the body mass index (BMI) is increased about the body height. This happens in children too! Today’s topic is about child obesity. Today’s discussion is on why children gain weight and how to control it.
Causes of weight gain:
What are the causes of overweight or obesity in children, let’s first know them –
* Genetic issues.
* Hormonal imbalance.
* Environment.
* Lying down all day.
* Uncontrolled lifestyle.
* Do not play sports outside.
* Drinking extra soft drinks and regularly eating fast food like chocolate, doughnuts, chips, burgers etc.
Stress can also cause weight gain in children. Many children overeat at home due to monotonous lifestyles or lack of entertainment. But that fat doesn’t burn due to lack of physical activity. So the weight increases. Long-term use of steroid medicines can also lead to weight gain.
Playing less and increasing weight?
Many children gain weight even if they eat less. Slow digestion of food can be attributed in this case. It is seen that many children sit in one place and watch television for a long time, it is more common in them. Digestion problems occur if you do not exercise. Many individuals are accustomed to eating inexpensive food routinely like frozen yoghurt, milk chocolate, burgers, seared food and so forth. These food varieties are high in calories. So regardless of whether these food sources are eaten in modest quantities, more calories are put away in the body. As a result, even if you eat less, you gain weight.
Is child obesity a complicated problem?
There are usually some complications that occur when there is child obesity-
* Builds the gamble of type 2 diabetes.
* Blood cholesterol level increases.
* High blood pressure and heart problems occur.
* There is joint pain in the waist and joints.
* Snoring and breathing problems during sleep.
* Gallbladder stones or infection.
* Physical and mental exhaustion occurs.
* Black spots appear on the folds of the neck and skin.
* Fat accumulation can lead to permanent liver problems.
Also, boys may have embarrassing problems like balding at a young age or girls may start menstruating and grow unwanted hair. So you now understand whether child obesity is an important problem!
What parents should do to prevent child obesity?
1) A weight chart should be kept to get a clear idea about the baby’s weight gain. Find out from the doctor how the child’s weight should be according to age.
2) If the school is near the house, then make the child practice walking instead of using a car or rickshaw.
3) Infants may suffer from obesity at a young age if they are fed cow’s milk or only packaged food. So breastfeed the baby till six months. After six months, homemade nutritious food and fruits should be given in moderation. Fast food, soft drinks, chocolate, ice cream, sausages, frozen snacks etc. outside food should be given as little as possible to the growing child.
4) Children should be encouraged to do their work and should be given opportunities for outdoor sports. Care must be taken not to sit in front of the TV all day or get addicted to the device.
5) Use of stairs instead of elevators, outdoor sports every day, child participation in housework etc. will help the child to stay fit.
Get expert advice:
If it is suspected that the child is gaining weight or is interfering with normal activities due to excess weight, a paediatrician should be consulted. He or she can measure height and weight and perform other tests if needed to tell if your child is indeed on the way to obesity. If there is any hormonal problem it will also be understood. So consult a doctor without delay if your child is obese.
The first step in controlling excess weight is a change in diet. Avoid fast food eat healthy and balanced meals at home and encourage the child to do the same. Do not forget to consult a doctor if the weight does not come under control through eating a balanced diet and exercising! Until today, stay well.