Nowadays, children are becoming increasingly sedentary. Many of them prefer playing on computers and phones rather than engaging in outdoor activities. While everything has its pros and cons, a lack of physical activity can lead to the accumulation of body fat. Here, you will learn about the health consequences of being overweight and obese at a young age. I will provide advice on how to protect your child from such conditions, help you assess their health status, and recommend some essential tests. Finally, you will discover tools to combat overweight and obesity.
What is the difference between being overweight and being obese? When does obesity begin? Both overweight and obesity are disorders of energy metabolism in the body and are considered diseases. They are pressing issues that require action to ensure a return to health. Overweight occurs when the body accumulates excess fat tissue. If this is not controlled and the amount of fat tissue continues to grow, the child is at risk of becoming obese. Particularly dangerous to health is abdominal obesity, which is diagnosed when excess fat is stored in the abdominal area. To estimate whether body weight is appropriate, the Body Mass Index (BMI) can be useful. It is calculated using the following formula:
By knowing the child's BMI, we can determine whether their body weight is normal, underweight, overweight, or obese. The risk of overweight and obesity is assessed using growth charts. These charts are adjusted for the child's sex and age. Based on the BMI index, we can determine if the body weight falls within a healthy range. Each percentile represents 1% of the study group. How should this be interpreted? Suppose a child's result is in the 40th percentile. This means that 40% of peers of the same sex have the same or lower BMI, while the remaining 60% have a higher body weight. Such a child thus has a normal body weight, with a slight tendency toward being underweight.
A result in the 90-97th percentile range indicates overweight, and above the 97th percentile indicates obesity. In both cases, action should be taken. Overweight in a child is a red flag that an appropriate diet is needed. You can try to solve the problem on your own or consult a specialist. In addition to diet, you should also consider changing the child's lifestyle. Gradually increasing physical activity will significantly aid in combating overweight.
After calculating the BMI value, the child's physiological state can be determined using a table. However, a more accurate diagnosis can be obtained by using a growth chart. The table simplifies the issue somewhat and works well for adults, but for children, the situation changes dynamically. For a 10-year-old child, a BMI of 20 would indicate overweight, whereas for a 16-year-old, it would indicate a normal weight.
Table 1: Degrees of Obesity
| BMI | Physiological State |
|---|---|
| below 16.0 | Starvation |
| 16.0 - 16.99 | Emaciation |
| 17.0 - 18.49 | Underweight |
| 18.5 - 24.99 | Normal body weight |
| 25.0 - 29.99 | Overweight |
| 30.0 - 34.99 | Obesity I degree |
| 35.0 - 39.99 | Obesity II degree |
| 40.0 or more | Obesity III degree |
As seen in the table above, the degree of obesity indicates how advanced the disease is. The higher the body weight resulting from fat accumulation, the higher the degree of obesity. As body weight increases, the health status of individuals suffering from overweight and obesity deteriorates. Additionally, the risk of accompanying diseases increases. To assess health status, the WHR (waist-to-hip ratio) indicator is also used. This indicator helps determine whether abdominal obesity has developed due to fat accumulation. This type of obesity is associated with a higher risk of metabolic disorders and cardiovascular diseases.
Fat tissue accumulates in the body when a child consumes excessive calories. What influences the tendency to overeat? Obesity is a health disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. It is believed that genetics account for 40% of the disorder's causes. The remaining 60% depends on the environment. Genes are primarily responsible for body build and metabolism rate. This results in a tendency to accumulate fat tissue and experience hunger. These are aspects that are hard to change. Awareness of these factors allows for appropriate lifestyle adjustments. Eating habits, physical activity levels, food availability, and its quality are factors that you can modify.
Parental diet plays a significant role in how children learn to eat. Children learn from parents through imitation from a young age. This also applies to eating habits, attitudes, and behaviors. Additionally, parents are responsible for the availability and variety of food at home. Unhealthy eating habits of caregivers are a significant cause of overweight in the younger generation. Learning eating habits begins in early childhood.
The types of foods introduced when mothers stop breastfeeding are crucial. If a young child starts consuming large amounts of sweets early, it will be harder to wean them off high-calorie snacks later. Nevertheless, you can correct children's eating habits by changing your own, so your child can take you as a role model, regardless of age.
Adolescent diets often deviate from healthy eating norms. This is due to the easy availability of high-calorie products. This issue can also arise at home. If there are always snacks like bars, chips, and candies in the cupboard, children will reach for them. Studies indicate that the availability of vegetables at home positively influences the development of healthy eating habits. This involves having cleaned and cut vegetables ready to eat, stored in the refrigerator, for example.
Outside the home, food availability is shaped by social norms. In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the percentage of people who are overweight and obese. Fast food restaurants and sweet dessert shops have become more popular. Despite the removal of sweets from school shops, they can be bought almost anywhere. Children using these services are less likely to eat balanced meals in the school canteen, increasing the risk of higher BMI.
Eating while playing computer games or watching cartoons negatively affects children's health. The problem arises from the inability to focus on eating. Often, healthy meals are replaced with processed, ready-made products. Children eat quickly and compulsively. Over time, this leads to difficulty feeling satisfied with the amount of food eaten and a need to consume more. While playing or watching TV, children often reach for unhealthy snacks like salty and sweet treats.
For many years, children's and adolescents' activity levels have been declining. Easy access to public transportation and the prevalence of cars reduce active forms of travel. Children walk or bike to school less frequently. Modernly, more inactive forms of relaxation (e.g., playing computer games, watching TV) are noticed during children's leisure time. Besides limiting time for physical activity, resting with technology negatively impacts diet. The problem stems from cultural shifts and technological advancements. Changes in attitudes toward play during free time reduce children's physical fitness. Low physical fitness demotivates children from being active, leading to less engagement in physical education classes and extracurricular sports. This creates a vicious cycle that leads to overweight and obesity.
Obesity is a disease with far-reaching health consequences. The disorders caused by it can affect many organ systems. Even after curing obesity, its consequences may be felt for life, affecting overall health, quality of life, and social functioning. Disorders associated with childhood obesity carry over into adulthood. If obesity is diagnosed at age 6, the risk of the child becoming an obese adult is 25%. If the disease is present at ages 15-17, the probability increases to 75%. Overweight and obesity can contribute to hypertension in children. Studies show that children with a body mass above the 95th percentile are five times more likely to suffer from hypertension. Overweight during developmental years also contributes to an increased left ventricular mass.
Improper diet and obesity can also cause carbohydrate metabolism disorders. Overweight children are at risk of developing pre-diabetes conditions like insulin resistance and hyperinsulinism. Additionally, young people with overweight can develop dyslipidemia. An especially unfavorable lipid profile is observed in adolescents with abdominal obesity. These issues can lead to metabolic syndrome, diagnosed in 10-60% of obese children. People with metabolic syndrome have a significantly higher risk of heart disease, atherosclerosis, diabetes, liver, and kidney damage.
Childhood obesity predisposes children to obstructive sleep apnea. Obese individuals are six times more likely to develop this condition compared to their lean peers. Apnea increases the risk of cardiovascular issues and can negatively impact academic performance. Respiratory issues due to obesity lower the overall quality of life. Research also suggests that overweight increases the likelihood of asthma.
Excess body weight has a very strong negative impact on the musculoskeletal system. Common complications of childhood obesity include knee valgus, scoliosis, back pain, and flat feet. Furthermore, childhood overweight is also a cause of emotional problems. Even during preschool, obese children can become targets of peer ridicule. Overweight children are often excluded from play and perceived as insincere, lazy, and less intelligent by their peers. This approach may be surprising but has a destructive impact on a child's psyche. Overweight children often have low self-esteem, are more self-critical, and less confident, which can lead to poorer academic performance and hinder proper development.
Primarily, childhood obesity leads to excess body weight continuing into adulthood. The risk of the disease persisting after adolescence increases with age. Obese children aged 1-2 years have a 1.3 times greater chance of becoming obese adults. If a young person is overweight at ages 15-17, they are 17 times more likely to suffer from it as adults.
The period when the body is burdened with excess fat tissue affects the "wear and tear" rate of virtually all organ systems. Childhood overweight increases the risk of stroke, atherosclerosis, and coronary heart disease. Adults who were obese as children are more likely to develop diabetes, dyslipidemia, or metabolic syndrome. The complications of obesity that arise in adolescence often carry over into adulthood. Diabetes caused by childhood obesity persists for life, while conditions like flat feet or scoliosis require years of treatment. Emotional disorders can also impact quality of life long after adolescence.
After identifying overweight in a child, several tests should be conducted to accurately assess their health status and the risk of diseases that are complications of excess body weight. Essential tests include:
Additionally, to assess the cause of the disease, consider:
If a child's BMI falls within the 85th-90th percentile, their weight and blood pressure should be monitored. It is also advisable to perform a lipid profile and blood glucose test once a year.
For overweight and obese children, changing eating habits is crucial. An appropriate diet is the cornerstone of treatment. To minimize the risk of complications, reducing body weight is essential. Before encouraging your child to lose weight, seek advice from a dietitian, preferably one specializing in childhood obesity. They can guide you on which foods to avoid and which to include in the diet. Alongside mindful food choices, working on eating habits is important. Psychological support may also be valuable in treating overweight children. It's also essential to avoid common weight-loss mistakes.
In addition to a proper diet, physical activity is crucial. However, excess body weight can increase the risk of injury during exercise. If the child has not previously engaged in physical activity, introduce it slowly and cautiously. Knowing how to start exercising correctly is important. Walking or swimming are excellent starting options. Swimming, in particular, is gentle on the joints and a good choice for overweight individuals. Unfortunately, overweight children may feel self-conscious about going to the pool. In such cases, look for other forms of activity, which do not necessarily have to be group classes. Activities like cycling or home workouts can also be effective.
I hope today's article has raised awareness about the seriousness of this issue. Overweight and obesity are health-threatening conditions that can have dangerous complications and reduce a child's quality of life. The consequences of childhood overweight and obesity can extend into adulthood, even if the extra weight is lost later in life. Abdominal obesity, in particular, is dangerous as excess fat accumulates around the abdominal area. If a child has a high BMI, it is crucial to motivate them to make changes.
Act promptly to ensure your child's health. Delaying action will make it more challenging to address the issue. Developing comorbidities may necessitate medication. Diet, physical activity, and regular check-ups can protect the child from the adverse effects of obesity. Keep this in mind and take preventive measures. Encourage physical activity and introduce your child to different sports, one of which will eventually interest them. If the problem has already arisen, don't hesitate to seek help from a specialist.
