Obesity in young children is a concerning topic. According to the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, between 16 and 33 percent of children and adolescents are obese. This does not necessarily refer to children that have a few extra pounds or are concerned about weight for their development. True obesity refers to children that are at least 10 percent heavier than the recommended weight for their body frame.
Food
A child becomes obese when she consumes more calories than her body can burn. The rate of calorie burn is called metabolism. Calorie guidelines vary for children. According to the Mayo Clinic, children should consume between 1,000 to 2,600 calories per day. Boys require more calories than girls. Genetically, a child's metabolism may be set at a slow pace. In this case, a child may easily overeat. Sweets and high calorie foods aid in the overindulgence.
Exercise
Sedentary lifestyle is also a factor that contributes to obesity in children. Children may opt to watch television, surf the Internet or play video games instead of going outside to play. By avoiding physical activity a child is burning fewer calories. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day. This should be a simple task for young children. Encourage your child to play outside or get involved in organized sports or other physical activities. Improving activity levels can help boost your child's metabolism. A little extra exercise can compensate for the occasional high calorie food choice.
Genetics
Obesity appears to run in families but scientifically, genetics play a small role. Children are likely to do what their parents do and may be predisposed to weight gain if their parents are overweight. If your family spends most of the time together sitting in front of the television, your child may prefer sedentary activities, accoding to the Mayo Clinic. Promote a healthy lifestyle for your child by including the whole family in healthy eating and physical activity. Genetics can determine a child's body type and build. Thus, large-framed children may weigh more than their small-framed peers but obesity is defined as a percentage of weight over the recommendation based on a child's frame. A large frame does not mean a child will be overweight. In rare cases a genetic disorder may increase the risk of obesity. An example of this may be Cushing's syndrome.
Consequences of Obesity
The consequences of childhood obesity are innumerable. Society accepts thinness as the standard. Your child may experience ridicule for being overweight. This can diminish her self-esteem. Body-image should not determine one's self-worth but being healthy can improve your child's confidence, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry. Obesity can make breathing difficult. It can also make physical activity difficult and harder on your child's body. Health complications like asthma and diabetes can arise from obesity. These ailments can last a lifetime. Continued self-deprecation and ridicule can lead to depression.
Treatment
If your child has been diagnosed as obese or is considered overweight according to developmental standards, it is important to take action immediately. Do all that you can to remove high calorie and non-nutritious foods from your home and your child's diet. Replace them with healthy choices. Encourage more physical activity. Make it fun and include the whole family. Go on a nature hike or take a canoeing trip. Anything that gets your child's heart rate up can help her burn calories. Exercise for children should not be a chore. Children should enjoy being physical and playing. Sometimes it just takes Mom or Dad's encouragement and participation to make physical activity a habit. If diet and exercise are not making enough of a difference, consult with your child's health care provider. In some cases, a restricted diet may be necessary. Sometimes a doctor may suggest a medication, like Meridia to improve weight loss, according to the Mayo Clinic. Weight loss surgery may be a last resort option as well.
Member Comments