Childhood Obesity
Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a growing health concern that affects not just a child’s physical appearance, but also their physical, emotional, and social. With obesity rates increasing across the Arab world, it’s essential for families to understand the difference between being overweight and being obese, know when to intervene, and learn how to manage this condition in a safe and evidence-based way.
How to Tell the Difference Between Excess Weight and Childhood Obesity
It’s completely normal for children to gain weight during growth spurts. However, there’s a significant difference between normal weight gain and childhood obesity. This difference is usually measured using Body Mass Index (BMI) for age and gender:
- Overweight: BMI falls between the 85th and 95th percentiles.
- Obese: BMI exceeds the 95th percentile compared to peers.
What really matters is how the child’s weight affects their health and daily life, not just the number on the scale.
Causes of Childhood Obesity in Children and Adolescents
Childhood obesity usually results from a combination of environmental, behavioral, and genetic factors, and sometimes medical issues. Common causes include:
- High intake of calories, especially from fast food and sugary drinks
- Lack of physical activity and increased screen time
- Family lifestyle and eating habits
- Rare hormonal conditions like hypothyroidism
- Emotional stress or sleep disturbances leading to overeating
In infants, overfeeding with formula or imbalanced weaning can contribute to early weight gain
Signs and Symptoms of Childhood Obesity
The signs of childhood obesity may not always be obvious, but some common indicators include:
- Fat accumulation around the abdomen or neck
- Shortness of breath during light activity
- Fatigue and low energy
- Joint pain
- Low self-esteem or social withdrawal
Rapid changes in clothing sizes compared to peers
Childhood Obesity Treatment: Balanced Approaches for Long-Term Health
Treating childhood obesity doesn’t mean depriving a child of food, nor does it involve allowing them to consume large amounts of unhealthy food out of fear of upsetting them. The key is to adjust the quality, quantity, and timing of meals. An effective approach to managing overweight and obesity in children focuses on:
Healthy and Balanced Diet for Children with Obesity
A child’s diet should be tailored to their individual needs, this includes weight, height, and the severity of obesity. However, some general principles apply to most cases:
Daily meals should be well-proportioned and appropriate in quantity.
Reduce intake of white sugar, fast food, and unhealthy fats.
Increase consumption of both plant-based and animal proteins.
Encourage drinking enough water throughout the day.
Teach children to eat slowly and chew their food thoroughly.
It’s also essential not to overlook the importance of physical activity. Regular exercise helps children with obesity improve not only their weight but also their overall health and quality of life.
Medication for Childhood Obesity
In specific cases, especially when diet and exercise have failed to produce sustainable results, and the child’s health is at risk, a doctor may recommend appetite-suppressing medication. This option is considered only under strict conditions:
The child must meet a minimum age requirement.
The treatment must be supervised closely by a physician.
The medication must be part of a broader plan that includes a customized diet.
Bariatric Surgery in Severe Pediatric Obesity
- In advanced cases of severe childhood obesity, when all other interventions have failed, bariatric surgery may be considered as a last-resort option. One of the procedures suitable for adolescents is the mini sleeve gastrectomy, also known as mini sleeve.
- This surgical procedure significantly reduces the size of the stomach, which helps limit the amount of food the child can consume at one time. As a result, it supports gradual and safe weight loss.
- However, surgery is never a random decision. It is only considered after comprehensive psychological and medical evaluations to ensure the child is physically and emotionally prepared. The medical team also assesses the child’s ability to commit to long-term lifestyle changes after the procedure. Parents or guardians are actively involved in this process to ensure a supportive home environment that can help the child succeed in their journey toward a healthier weight.
Mini Sleeve Surgery for Children
When severe childhood obesity does not improve with diet and activity, Mini Sleeve surgery may be considered. This procedure:
- Reduces the size of the stomach to limit food intake
- Helps improve health markers like blood pressure and blood sugar
- Is performed under strict conditions and medical evaluations
Start Your Child’s Journey Today at Contours Center
At Contours, we understand the complexities of childhood obesity and offer personalized care plans for every child. From nutrition to medical evaluation and, when needed, surgical intervention, our team is here to support your family at every step.
FAQs
A child’s weight is considered abnormal when it negatively impacts their physical or mental health. Doctors assess this by:
- Comparing height and weight against age-based growth charts
- Checking for related conditions such as high blood pressure or insulin resistance
- Monitor growth regularly using BMI charts
- Compare your child’s measurements to standard weight-for-age tables
- Consult a pediatrician to determine whether the weight gain is within normal limits
- Don’t rely solely on appearance—some children may look fine but have excess fat internally
You may need to seek medical treatment for your child if:
- There’s a large gap between actual and ideal weight
- Obesity is affecting your child’s sleep, mobility, or academic performance
- Associated health conditions like diabetes or joint pain have appeared
- Diet and physical activity have failed to show results
The doctor may recommend non-surgical or surgical treatment options for childhood obesity, depending on the case.