Childhood obesity has reached epidemic proportions in many countries including Anguilla. This is particularly troubling as this extra fat often starts obese children on path to health problems, such as diabetes and high blood pressure, that were once confined to adults. One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of the entire family.
What is childhood obesity?
Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height. As methods of determining body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI.
Not all children carrying extra pounds are overweight or obese. Some children have larger than average body frames. Children normally carry different amounts of body fat at the various stages of development. So you might not know just by looking at your child if his or her weight is a health concern.
Your child’s doctor can help you figure out if your child’s weight could pose health problems by using growth charts and, if necessary, other tests.
If you are concerned that your child is putting on too much weight, talk to his or her doctor. Your child’s doctor will consider your child’s individual history of growth and development, your family’s weight-for-height history, and where your child lands on the growth charts. This can help determine if your child’s weight is in an unhealthy range.
Why do some children become obese?
There is no doubt that various lifestyles have contributed to the large number of children in Anguilla being overweight. Too little activity and too many calories from food and drinks — remain a significant contributor to childhood obesity. There are also some genetic and hormonal factors that likely play a role as well. Recent research has found that changes in digestive hormones can affect the signals that let you know you are full.
If your child comes from a family of overweight people, he or she may be more likely to put on excess weight especially in an environment where high-calorie food is always available, and physical activity is not encouraged.
Some children overeat to cope with problems or to deal with emotions, such as stress, or to fight boredom.
Why all the fuss about childhood obesity?
There are many complications from childhood obesity, some of which can be very serious. There can be complications for the physical, social and emotional wellbeing of your child.
Physical complications of childhood obesity include:
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Asthma and other breathing conditions
• Sleep disorders such as obstructive sleep apnoea
• Metabolic syndrome. Metabolic syndrome is not a disease itself, but a cluster of conditions that can put your child at risk of developing heart disease, diabetes or other health problems. This cluster of conditions includes high blood pressure, high blood sugar, high cholesterol and excess abdominal fat.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). This disorder, which usually has no symptoms, causes fatty deposits to build up in the liver. NAFLD can lead to scarring and liver damage.
• Early puberty or menstruation. Being obese can create hormone imbalances for your child. These imbalances can cause puberty to start earlier than expected.
Social and emotional complications include the following:
• Low self-esteem and bullying. Children often tease or bully their overweight peers, who suffer a loss of self-esteem and an increased risk of depression as a result.
• Depression.
Treatment
Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.
Treatment for childhood obesity is based on your child’s age and if he or she has other medical conditions. Treatment usually includes changes in your child’s diet and level of physical activity. In certain circumstances, treatment may include medications or weight-loss surgery. Talk to your doctor, nutritionist or healthcare provider about various treatment options.
Healthy eating
Parents are the ones who buy the food, cook the food and decide where the food is eaten. Even small changes can make a big difference in your child’s health.
Parents are encouraged to limit sweetened beverages, including those containing fruit juice. These drinks provide little nutritional value in exchange for their high calories. They also can make your child feel too full to eat healthier foods.
Physical activity
A critical part of weight loss, especially for children, is physical activity. It not only burns calories but also builds strong bones and muscles, and helps children sleep well at night and stay alert during the day. Such habits, established in childhood, help adolescents maintain healthy weight despite the hormonal changes, rapid growth and social influences that often lead to overeating.
A surefire way to increase your child’s activity levels is to limit the number of hours he or she is allowed to watch television each day. Other sedentary activities — playing video and computer games or talking on the phone — should also be limited.
Prevention
Whether your child is at risk of becoming overweight or currently at a healthy weight you, as a parent, can take proactive measures to get or keep things on the right track. Healthy lifestyles are vital in the prevention of obesity. Parents or guardians must make sure their child/children eat healthy foods and exercise regularly to maintain a healthy weight. They should also take their child to the doctor for well-child checkups at least once a year.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is a public health issue in many countries including Anguilla. The complications can be serious and have both short and long term health consequences. One of the best strategies of reducing childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of the entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect the health of your child now and in the future.
Ask Your Doctor is a health education column and is not a substitute for medical advice from your physician. The reader should consult his or her physician for specific information concerning specific medical conditions. While all reasonable efforts have been made to ensure that all information presented is accurate, as research and development in the medical field are ongoing, it is possible that new findings may supersede some data presented.
Dr Brett Hodge is an Obstetrician/Gynaecologist and Family Doctor who has over thirty one years in clinical practice. Dr Hodge has a medical practice in The Johnson Building in The Valley (Tel: 264 4975828).
