Childhood Obesity- Medical & Health

Childhood Obesity: Causes, Symptoms, Diagnosis & Treatment

Childhood Obesity- Medical & Health 

Obesity In Children

Childhood obesity is a severe medical problem affecting children and teenagers. It's especially concerning since childhood obesity frequently sets youngsters up for health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol, which were previously thought to be adult issues. Depression and low self-esteem are other consequences of childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is a complex, chronic (long-term) condition that arises when a kid is born weighing more than is normal for their age, height, and gender. Medical criteria state that a child is deemed obese in childhood if their body mass index (BMI) is at or above the 95th percentile for their age and sex and they are two years of age or older.

Adult BMI parameters are not the same for children. Because children's body compositions gradually alter, BMI is unique to both age and gender. Healthcare professionals use special growth charts to determine a child's healthy BMI.

Improving your family's dietary and physical activity habits is one of the greatest ways to combat childhood obesity. Preventing and treating childhood obesity contributes to the long-term health of your child.

Childhood obesity is a multifactorial health problem. Your child's doctor can suggest a comprehensive treatment plan to enhance physical health and overall well-being if your child's weight endangers their health.

What Causes Childhood Obesity?

Obesity in children is a complicated illness with several underlying causes.

A specific number of calories is necessary for your child's growth and development. However, their body stores the excess calories as body fat (adipose tissue) when they consume more calories than they burn.

How much food we consume, what kind of food we eat, and how our body absorbs that energy are all influenced by several variables. Every child has a different physique and distinct circumstances. A child's chance of gaining weight varies depending on the child. It is not a lack of willpower or laziness that leads to obesity.

Factors Affecting The Family and Home Environment

Childhood obesity can be attributed to common family practices and elements of the home environment, such as:

• The kind and frequency of meals that parents and other caregivers feed their kids.
• Drinking drinks sweetened with sugar.
• Eating too much food.
• Increased consumption of highly processed meals as snacks.
• Having dinner out rather than preparing meals at home.
• Longer time spent on screens.
• Absence of exercise (sedentary conduct).
• Inadequate quality of sleep.
• Exposure to secondhand smoke.
• ACEs stand for adverse childhood experiences.

Genetics and Epigenetics

There are genetic variables that might make your child more likely to be obese. Offspring who have obese biological parents or siblings may be at a higher risk of developing obesity themselves. Research indicates that several genes might be involved in weight growth. However, not every child with a family history of obesity will go on to become obese.

The study of how your environment and habits may impact how your genes function is known as epigenetics. Adversity, such as racism or violence, can alter a person's DNA, affecting their immune system and metabolism. This can happen to children as well. The way your child's body utilizes energy may alter as a result of these changes, increasing their risk of obesity.

The following other epigenetic variables might raise your child's chance of obesity:

• Obesity in both or one of the biological parents before pregnancy.
• Diabetes throughout pregnancy.
• Excessive weight gain that occurs in the pregnant parent.

Health Determinants in Society

The circumstances in the settings where you are born, raised, study, work, and play may impact your health. These are known as social determinants of health or SDoHs.

The location of your family's residence may directly impact your child's chance of being obese. Your child's eating habits are influenced by the meals and beverages served in childcare facilities and schools. They also have an impact on how much exercise your child receives each day. Additional socioeconomic variables that lead to childhood obesity comprise:

• The price and availability of nutritious dietary alternatives.
• Proximity to fast food.
• Access to transportation.
• Your social support system or network.
• Restricted access to local parks, leisure centers, and other secure areas for physical activity.

Cultural Aspects

Ads promoting unhealthy foods and beverages, as well as fast food establishments, can exacerbate childhood obesity. Kids are exposed to these goods' marketing through TV commercials, internet ads, and grocery shop ads.

Research indicates that youngsters who are exposed to harmful food and beverage promotion, even for a short period, consume more food both during and after the exposure.

Other Medical Issues

Rarely, additional medical disorders might be a part of the cause of childhood obesity.

The following hormonal imbalances may be a factor in childhood obesity:

• Insufficient thyroid function.
• Tumor of the hypothalamus.
• Lack of growth hormone.
• Cushing's syndrome.

The following uncommon genetic disorders may be linked to childhood obesity:

• Prader-Willi illness.
• The Bardet-Beidl condition.
• Syndrome Alstrom.
• Congenital defects in PCSK1 or leptin.
• Certain drugs, such as corticosteroids and second-generation antipsychotics, can potentially raise your child's risk of obesity and overweight.

Risk Factors of Childhood Obesity

Your child's risk of being overweight is increased by several variables, which typically work in combination:

• Diet. Your child may gain weight if they regularly consume high-calorie items like baked goods, fast food, and snacks from vending machines. Desserts, candy, and sugar-filled beverages—such as fruit juices can also contribute to weight gain.
• Insufficient exercise. Little athletes are more prone to gain weight since they are not burning as many calories. Another factor is spending too much time on sedentary hobbies like playing video games or watching television.
• Family Factors. Your child may be more prone to gain weight if they are raised in an overweight family. This is particularly true in settings with a constant supply of high-calorie meals and discouragement of physical exercise.
• Psychological elements. Personal, parental, and family stress might raise a child's risk of obesity.
• Socioeconomic Aspects. Certain communities have restricted access to stores and limited resources. Consequently, they could purchase items like frozen dinners, crackers, and cookies. Furthermore, residents in lower-class communities may lack access to a secure fitness facility.
• Certain drugs. Obesity risk may rise with some prescription medicines. For example, propranolol, gabapentin, paroxetine, lithium, amitriptyline, and prednisone.

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Obesity?

Apart from being overweight, common indications and symptoms of obesity in children consist of:

• Breathlessness (Shortness of breath)
• Tiredness
• Increased perspiration
• Noise pollution and snoring
• Joint discomfort
• Displaced hips
• Knock knees and flat feet
• Itching and rashes on the skin
• Stretch marks on the back, hips, and abdomen
• The black, velvety skin around the neck and in other places is called acanthosis nigricans.
• Body fat around the breasts (which might be especially difficult for boys)
• Constipation
• Reflux of the stomach (also known as acid reflux)
• Girls' early puberty
• Boys' delayed puberty

How is Childhood Obesity Diagnosed?

Childhood obesity is diagnosed when a child's BMI is at or above the 95th percentile on the CDC's sex-specific BMI-for-age growth charts. If your child's BMI is in the 95th percentile, it signifies that they have a greater BMI than 95% of other children of their age and gender.

However, as children develop at various rates, relying just on BMI might be deceiving. A medical professional would typically consider other elements to make a diagnosis, such as:

Any symptoms or health issues that the kid is dealing with relating to weight

• Obesity in the family history
• Level of activity or exercise
• Nutritional habits
• Sleep patterns
• Psychological or mental health issues
• Physical examination results, including vital signs like blood pressure and heart rate
• Findings from laboratory tests on hormones, blood sugar, and cholesterol

What is the Treatment of Childhood Obesity?

The course of treatment for childhood obesity depends on your child's age and any other medical issues. Treatment often includes dietary and exercise modifications for your child. Treatment options in certain cases may involve drugs or bariatric surgery (weight-loss surgery).

Treatment for overweight children whose BMI falls between the 85th and 94th percentiles

To prevent the progression of weight gain, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises placing children older than two who weigh in the overweight range on a weight-maintenance program. With this technique, the youngster can gain inches but not pounds, which eventually lowers the BMI into a healthier range.

Treatment for overweight children whose BMI falls at the 95th percentile or above

Children who fall into this category and are obese and between the ages of 6 and 11 may be advised to modify their eating habits to lose no more than 1 pound (or around 0.5 kilograms) every month. Changes in eating habits may be advised for older children and teens who are obese or severely obese to shed up to 2 pounds (or around 1 kilogram) of weight every week.

Healthy Eating

Parents make meal plans, shop for groceries, and choose where to dine. The well-being of your child can benefit greatly from even modest adjustments.

• Give fruits and vegetables a priority. Reduce your intake of convenience foods, which are frequently heavy in sugar, fat, and calories, such as cookies, crackers, and prepared meals, when you go grocery shopping.
• Limit your intake of sugary drinks. Fruit juice-containing drinks fall under this category. These beverages provide a lot of calories but not much nutritional benefit.
• Avoid fast food.
• Have family meals together. Make it an occasion to exchange news and tales. Avoid eating in front of a computer, TV, or video game screen since this might cause you to consume quickly and become less conscious of how much you are eating.
• Serve sensible serving sizes. Compared to adults, children don't require as much food. If your child is still hungry after starting with a little piece, they can ask for more. Even if your child has to leave food on the plate, let them eat just until they are satisfied.

Physical Activity

Physical exercise has a vital role in reaching and sustaining a healthy weight, particularly for youngsters. In addition to helping kids sleep better at night and remain awake throughout the day, it burns calories and improves bones and muscles.

Adolescents who develop healthy behaviors as children are more likely to maintain a healthy weight. Additionally, active kids grow up to be fit adults.

Medications

Speak with your child's doctor about prescription weight reduction drugs if diet and lifestyle modifications aren't controlling or preventing obesity to the appropriate extent. In addition to behavior and lifestyle treatments, doctors should provide weight reduction medication to obese children 12 years of age and older, according to new treatment guidelines released by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in January 2023. Currently authorized medications for treating obesity in this age range include phentermine-topiramate (Qsymia), semaglutide (Wegovy), liraglutide (Saxenda), and orlistat (Xenical). According to the recommendations, under some circumstances, children who are obese and between the ages of 8 and 11 may be prescribed medicine.

Surgery

Bariatric surgery, or weight reduction surgery, is often reserved for very obese teenagers who have not responded to conventional weight-loss strategies. According to the 2023 AAP guidelines, adolescents (13 years of age and older) should be examined for bariatric surgery if their BMI is at least 120% of the 95th percentile for their age and sex. Gastric banding, gastric sleeve (sleeve gastrectomy), and gastric bypass are surgical procedures used to treat extreme obesity.

What are the Complications of Childhood Obesity?

Obesity in children can negatively impact their physical, social, and emotional health. Obese children are more likely to have several health issues. Among the most common complications are:

• High blood pressure.
• Increased cholesterol, or dyslipidemia.
• Type 2 diabetes, prediabetes, and insulin resistance.
• Fatty liver disease unrelated to alcohol use.
• Asthma.
• Sleep apnea.
• PCOS, or polycystic ovarian syndrome.
• Depression.
• Pain in the joints.
• Blount's illness.
• Heart diseases.
• Furthermore, children who are obese have an increased likelihood of being bullied.
• Social isolation.
• Low confidence.
• Obesity in children increases the likelihood that the disease will persist into adulthood.

The physician for your kid will suggest testing to check for these issues and will provide treatment recommendations if any do.

Physical Complications

Among the physical effects of childhood obesity are:

• Diabetes type 2. This long-term illness has an impact on how your child's body utilizes glucose or sugar. Type 2 diabetes is more common in those who are obese and lead sedentary lifestyles.
• Elevated blood pressure and lipid levels. One or both of these illnesses may develop in your child as a result of a bad diet. These elements may play a part in the accumulation of plaque in the arteries, which may constrict and stiffen the arteries and eventually trigger a heart attack or stroke.
• Joint discomfort. Excess weight puts more pressure on the knees and hips. Obesity in children can result in hip and knee discomfort and occasionally injury.
• Breathing issues. Childhood asthma is more likely in overweight children. Additionally, obstructive sleep apnea, a potentially dangerous condition in which a child's breathing regularly stops and begins as they sleep, is more likely to develop in these kids.
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The condition leads to the accumulation of fatty deposits in the liver and normally has no symptoms. Liver damage and scarring can result from NAFLD.

Emotional and Social Complexities

Youngsters who are obese may be teased or bullied by their classmates. This may lead to a decline in confidence and a higher chance of experiencing anxiety and sadness.

Prevention of Childhood Obesity 

To assist your kid avoid excessive weight gain, you can:

• You can set a positive example for your child to assist in preventing excessive weight gain. Make healthy food and frequent physical activity a family tradition. Everyone will profit, and no one will feel left out.
• Keep nutritious food on hand. Some options include whole-grain cereal with low-fat milk, baby carrots with hummus, fruits with low-fat yogurt, and air-popped popcorn without butter.
• Repeatedly provide new meals. Stay energized if your youngster doesn't instantly enjoy a new cuisine. A dish often has to be experienced several times before it is accepted.
• Select incentives that aren't food-related. It's not a good idea to promise chocolates for good conduct.
• Make sure your kids receive adequate rest. According to certain research, getting too little sleep may make obesity more likely. Hormonal abnormalities brought on by sleep loss might boost hunger.

FAQs about Childhood Obesity 

What is the definition of childhood obesity?

Obesity is a complicated, widespread, and frequently recurring health issue in children and adolescents. For children two years of age and older, obesity is having a Body Mass Index (BMI) higher than or equal to the 95th percentile for age and gender. Having a BMI above or equal to the 120th percentile is considered severe obesity. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) advises against using the BMI for younger children and instead advocates utilizing the World Health Organization's weight-for-length age and gender-specific charts.

What is the impact of obesity on a child's life?

Additionally, psychological issues including depression and anxiety are linked to childhood obesity—reduced self-reported quality of life and poor self-esteem. Social problems include stigma and bullying.

What are the five impacts of obesity?

Severe health implications result from being overweight, including cardiovascular disease (heart disease and stroke), type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal conditions including osteoarthritis, and several malignancies (colorectal, breast, and endometrial). These illnesses result in significant impairment and early mortality.

What factors are involved in childhood obesity?

Parenting styles and other aspects of the parent's lifestyles are equally important. Environmental influences on eating and exercise patterns include school policy, demography, and the demands of parents' jobs. One of the main things being researched as an obesity reason is genetics.

What are the worldwide statistics of childhood obesity?

Globally, there are 39 million obese children under the age of five and over 340 million obese children and adolescents between the ages of five and nineteen.