As a parent, everyone want the best possible health for child. Parents many time ask what we can do to keep child healthy. An important step in understanding child's health is checking if they have excess weight. That's because overweight or obesity—can impact their overall health.
Understanding obesity :
Obesity is a chronic disease because it can affect every part of the body. It can even interfere with the way we feel hunger and fullness and process energy.
Obesity is a disease that can be treated, much like asthma and other chronic conditions.
Childhood obesity often lasts into adulthood if it is neglected. It can result in many diseases like type 2 diabetes, non - alcoholic fatty liver, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, sleep apnea and Orthopaedic (bone and joint) problems, PCOS etc.
Causes of childhood obesity :
The causes of obesity are not limited to just individual or family factors, such as genetics, nutrition and physical activity. They also involve multiple, complex situations in the wider environment that can lead to obesity. eg.
Faulty food systems and economic factors, which can make it hard for some families to access or afford healthy food choices.
Unsafe environments, which can limit opportunities for physical activity, exercise and active play.
Stress can affect the hormones that regulate weight, among other health effects.
How is a child diagnosed with overweight or obesity?
One of the measures we use to check for excess weight is the Body-Mass Index ( BMI ). The BMI is a calculation that uses child's height and weight and lets us know if they are in a healthy range for their age and sex. The BMI itself does not tell us about their health inside their body. However, it is an outward sign of what can be happening inside their body.
If child's BMI is outside their healthy range, this is referred to as overweight or obesity. This is because excess weight can affect internal organs, causing inflammation and problems with the immune system and body chemistry, for example. Obesity also impacts mental health. These effects are not visible from the outside.
How is your child's health on the inside?
Some blood tests are helpful to know how his body is functioning by blood and other tests. This evaluation helps to know your child is healthy inside. In case of girls ultrasonography may helpful to know health of ovaries & uterus.
Importance of obesity management in early stages :
Management & treatment for overweight and obesity in early stage helps to prevent many diseases mentioned above & its complications.
Management & Treatment of obesity and its complications :
It is team work of family with Doctor, Dietician & Nutritionist. These can help child to stay healthy on the inside and address excess weight. Experienced Dietician & nutritionist helps you in healthy weight loss & lifestyle changes.
Focus on health—not on body appearance :
It is important to be aware of the harmful effects of weight bias and stigma. There is no place for blame or guilt about body shape or size. What is important is that our bodies function in a healthy way. Blaming someone for obesity is not good. It is not helpful, frequently harmful and gets in the way of effective management.
The focus of treatment for obesity should be on the overall health and quality-of-life factors important to child and family. For example, treatment goals may include improving immunity & health, adopting healthy lifestyle & food habits, improved self-esteem, confidence & complete transformation.
