Childhood obesity is a disease that has been on the rise over the past decades, and even though it is a very serious disease that can affect the child’s life in the present time and the future, some people brush it off as something that isn’t that serious, or will likely go away on its own when puberty hits, in this article we will discuss childhood obesity causes on macro and micro levels, and how parents can help their children in fighting childhood obesity.
Disclaimer: The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before making any changes to your child’s diet, lifestyle, or treatment plan. This content aims to educate about fighting childhood obesity, individual cases require specialized medical evaluation.
Addressing Childhood Obesity: What It Really Is
Obesity is in fact a disease, and it is described as such by the World Health Organization, but what does obesity mean? Obesity refers to a state where the percentage of body fat is excessive, most commonly assessed using the body mass index (BMI)-for-age percentile. When a child’s BMI is above the 95th percentile for their age and sex, they are considered to have obesity. Obesity can lead to health issues that can range from mild (breathlessness and slight joint pain) to more severe (heart disease and diabetes).
Based on the aforementioned, obesity is a serious issue that needs addressing and taking a stand against, all while being respectful, encouraging and supportive to those who suffer from such a disease, especially children.
Are Childhood Obesity Rates Increasing?
According to a recent UNICEF press release, obesity rates among children have – for the first time – surpassed the prevalence of underweight in all regions except for sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia. This finding is a warning sign and there’s no indication that this is going to stop anytime soon.
This finding by UNICEF is also supported by other research that agrees with the fact that obesity rates are indeed increasing among children.
Causes of Childhood Obesity: Macro and Micro Levels
Before proceeding into the strategies that parents can use to help their children who suffer from obesity, we should know why obesity originally happens, and is it related to behaviour only, or is there a bigger problem.
Macro Level Causes
The increase in prevalence of childhood obesity can be attributed to various causes, but one such cause might take the lion’s share, which is The availability and relative ease of access to low-quality and ultra-processed foods (UPFs), the rise of UPFs consumption can be attributed to the following:
- Changes in lifestyle: prompting people to consume food on-the-go.
- Mass production: Easily mass produced and sold.
- Marketing: which encourages people to consume more of it.
Micro Level Causes
Although the macro level causes are important, micro level causes can’t be ignored, these can be attributed to various causes, including:
- Genetic factors: Some children inherit genes that make their bodies store fat more easily or affect how they regulate appetite and metabolism.
- Medical conditions: Disorders like hypothyroidism, Cushing’s syndrome, or Prader-Willi syndrome can slow metabolism or increase appetite.
- Dietary habits: Frequent intake of fast food, sugary drinks, and snacks high in calories but low in nutrients promotes weight gain.
- Physical inactivity: Limited exercise and excessive screen time reduce energy expenditure and increase the risk of obesity.
- Parental influence: Children often adopt their parents’ eating patterns and activity levels, so unhealthy family routines contribute to obesity.
- Psychological and social factors: Emotional stress, boredom, or lack of access to healthy food and safe play areas can lead to overeating and weight gain.
Fighting Childhood Obesity: How You Can Help Your Child
Fighting childhood obesity requires encouragement and support from people around the child, especially the parents. In addition to that, showing love and care while being committed to the goal of helping the child in the weight loss journey is an essential part of the treatment plan.
Fighting childhood obesity also does not mean depriving them of food, nor does it mean allowing them to eat unhealthy foods excessively out of fear of discouraging them. Instead, it involves adjusting the type, quantity, and timing of meals. In this section, we are going to discuss the different ways you can help your child overcome obesity, depending on its degree and severity.
1. Following a Balanced and Healthy Diet
The first step in fighting childhood obesity is following a balanced and healthy diet, but there’s no dietary plan that fits all cases. Instead it varies according to each child’s condition, weight, height, and degree of obesity. In general, a healthy diet for weight loss should include the following:
- Caloric Deficit: Reducing calorie intake to achieve a moderate calorie deficit as recommended by the doctor.
- Appropriate and balanced meals: Eating daily meals in balanced and appropriate portions that include the essential nutrients to support healthy growth.
- Avoiding or limiting ultra-processed foods (UPFs): Limiting white sugar, fast food, and unhealthy fats, that are high in calories and lack nutritional value.
- Drinking water: Water is essential to the human body, and can aid in weight loss.
- Eating slowly: Slow eating is not only good for digestion, it also can aid in losing weight by reducing the likelihood of overeating.
It is also important not to overlook the role of physical activity, as regular exercise helps the child lose weight, improve overall health, and enhance the overall quality of life.
2. Medications for Treating Childhood Obesity
In certain cases – especially when diet and exercise fail, and obesity starts to affect the child’s overall health – the doctor may recommend an appetite-suppressing medication that helps in fighting childhood obesity. However, this is to be considered only when the following conditions are met:
- Failure of other treatments.
- The child is of an appropriate age.
- The treatment is under strict medical supervision.
- It is accompanied by a proper nutritional plan.
3. Bariatric Surgeries for Children
One of the ways that can help in fighting childhood obesity is bariatric surgeries. In advanced cases of childhood obesity, particularly when other methods fail to achieve effective and lasting results, surgical intervention may become the final option. Among these procedures, the Mini Sleeve surgery is a suitable choice for certain children, provided the decision is made after thorough evaluation.
This procedure aims to significantly reduce the size of the stomach, thereby limiting the amount of food the child can eat per meal and helping achieve gradual, safe weight loss.
However, it is essential to emphasize that surgery is never chosen randomly. It is only performed after comprehensive psychological and medical assessment to ensure the child’s physical and emotional readiness, as well as their potential commitment to lifestyle changes following the operation. The family is also involved in this evaluation process to ensure a supportive home environment that helps the child succeed on their journey toward achieving and maintaining a healthy weight safely.
In the end, childhood obesity is a serious issue that requires all of us to take a stand against obesity and help those who suffer from it, especially children in their development phase.
If you’re looking for support on your weight loss journey, contact us today at Contours Obesity Solutions Center, and let us help you achieve a healthier life.