Many parents or guardians don't know the signs of obesity and how in depth the topic really is. Many people believe that obesity is just about being "fat" but obesity actually deals with genes, lifestyle behaviors, and cultural factors.
What causes obesity?
Obesity takes place when a child, or adult, takes in more calories than the body burns.
"If one parent of a child is obese, there is a 50 percent chance that his or her child will also be obese." However, if both biological parents are obese, their child has an 80 percent chance of being obese as well.
Obesity in children can come from...
poor eating habits
lack of exercise
medical illnesses (endocrine problems)
medications like steroids
tragic life events like death, divorce of parents, or abuse
low self-esteem
depression or other emotional problems
Obesity stems from many things but can also lead to problems if not taken care of like...
increased risk of heart disease
high blood pressure
diabetes
respiratory issues
insomnia
arthritis
hormonal inbalances
Ways to change obesity in children and adolescents include:
healthy eating habits (eating slowly and making a schedule)
make better food selections
portion control
physical activity (something as small as walking)
limit snacking
Often times obesity becomes a lifelong issue. Obese children tend to fall back into their normal routine of unhealthy eating and living so this is why it is critical to instill the importance of healthy living to children at a young age and help them as they grow to make healthy decisions.
Share This Article
