Excessive appetite and weight gain among children can lead to an overweight childhood. Overweight status among children introduces many health concerns, such as hypertension, heart disease, type 2 diabetes, sleep apnea, liver damage, asthma and being overweight as an adult. Medical and psychological conditions can cause symptoms of excessive appetite and weight gain. Understanding potential causes resulting in these symptoms can aid in early detection.
Prader-Willi Syndrome
Prader-Willi Syndrome is a genetic disorder thought to result from a paternal genetic defect in chromosome 15, according to New York University. Classic signs of Prader-Willi Syndrome include developmental delays, mental and behavioral problems, stunted growth and an insatiable appetite. Children with Prader-Willi Syndrome often reach obesity status by 6 and exhibit compulsive eating on a daily basis. The chromosome defect does not allow children to experience typical feelings of fullness. Additionally, children with Prader-Willi Syndrome experience a slower than normal metabolism. Managing food intake is crucial to keeping weight under control and preventing health-related problems associated with obesity status.
Antipsychotic Medication
Millions of children in the United States are prescribed antipsychotic medication each year, according to the European Molecular Biology Organization. Antipsychotics can cause up to a 30 percent increase in weight among individuals taking this type of prescribed medication. According to the University of Texas, the average increase of weight after 10 weeks of antipsychotic treatment ranges from 1 to 11 lbs. Antipsychotic medications are thought to increase appetite through binding with specific neurotransmitters responsible for satiety and appetite. If medication is causing significant weight gain in your child, speak with your child's treating medical provider about the consequences and other potential medicinal options.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism occurs when your thyroid gland fails to produce adequate amounts of the thyroid hormone, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. Children with hypothyroidism experience retarded growth, delayed developmental milestones, weight gain, dry skin and sensitivity to cold. The thyroid hormone helps regulate metabolism, body temperature and appetite. Hypothyroidism is often difficult to diagnose as symptoms occur over a period of time and can be mistaken for other conditions. Hypothyroidism results from a number of conditions, such Hashimoto's thyroiditis and iodine deficiency. Treatment for hypothyroidism among children involves drug therapy or nutrition supplementation.
Depression
Childhood depression can cause increased or decreased appetite, as well as weight gain or weight loss. Accompanying symptoms include reduced energy, excessive crying, irritability, withdrawal, isolation and sleep disturbance. Additionally, physical symptoms, such as headaches and stomachaches, are common among children with depression. According to the University of Michigan, children often deny symptoms of depression. Thus, detecting and diagnosing childhood depression may be difficult. Treatment options for childhood depression include psychotherapy and antidepressant medication.
References
- European Molecular Biology Organization Reports; Manipulating Your Mind; 2004
- University of Texas; Metformin for the Treatment of Atypical Antipsychotics Mediated Weight Gain; Jana G. Shults; January 2011
- New York University; Prader-Willi Syndrome; Michelle Badash; December 2010
- University of Maryland Medical Center; Hypothyroidism; Steven D. Ehrlich; March 2010
- University of Michigan Depression Center; Facts about Depression in Children and Adolescents; October 2007
- Colorado State University; Childhood Overweight; L. Bellows and J. Roach; May 2009
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