It's not "cool" to be fat, but that has not prevented an obesity epidemic from occurring among American youth. Childhood obesity increased from 5 percent in 1964 to about 13 percent in 1994. Today, it is about 20 percent -- and rising.
Obesity causes a host of childhood health problems, including diabetes, high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, and fatty liver diseases. Obesity is a risk factor for many chronic diseases. What’s more, childhood obesity is linked to a number of problems, as these children become adults. Obesity in adulthood has been linked to heart disease, as well as several types of cancer, including breast, colon, endometrial, esophageal and kidney cancer. Many of the obstacles obese children face may be more of an immediate concern and extend beyond just the physical aspects of health.
Overweight children are much more likely to become overweight adults unless
they adopt and maintain healthier patterns of eating and exercise.
Jeffrey Schwimmer, MD, and colleagues from the University of California, San Diego, pointed out that while childhood obesity is a well-known cause of health problems, including long-term problems that might eventually lead to an early death, the most widespread consequences might be psychological and social nature. He further confirmed that obese children and adolescents are more than five times likely to have a poorer health related quality of life (QOL) than healthy children. Obesity is one of the most stigmatizing and least socially acceptable conditions in childhood and it is critical for physicians, parents and teachers to be aware of the risk involved which might lead to fatal or deadly consequences. Obesity is associated with poor self-esteem and depression.
• Poor eating habits
• Overeating or binging
• Lack of exercise (i.e., couch potato kids)
• Family history of obesity
• Medical illnesses (endocrine, neurological problems)
• Medications (steroids, some psychiatric medications)
• Stressful life events or changes (separations, divorce, moves,
deaths, abuse)
• Family and peer problems
• Low self-esteem
• Depression or other emotional problems
• Increased risk of heart disease
• High blood pressure
• Diabetes
• Breathing problems
• Trouble sleeping
“ Obesity is one of the most stigmatizing and least socially acceptable conditions in childhood and it is critical for physicians, parents and teachers to be aware of the risk involved which might lead to fatal or deadly consequences.”
Child and adolescent obesity is also associated with increased risk of emotional problems. Teens with weight problems tend to have much lower self-esteem and be less popular with their peers. Depression, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder can also occur.
chances of successful weight control for the child or adolescent.
• Change eating habits (eat slowly, develop a routine)
• Plan meals and make better food selections (eat less fatty foods, avoid junk and fast foods)
• Control portions and consume less calories
• Increase physical activity (especially walking) and have a more active lifestyle
• Know what your child eats at school
• Eat meals as a family instead of while watching television or at the computer
• Do not use food as a reward
• Limit snacking
• Attend a support group (e.g., Weight Watchers, Overeaters Anonymous)
• Obesity frequently becomes a lifelong issue.
The reason most obese adolescents gain back their lost pounds is that after they have reached their goal; they go back to their old habits of eating and exercising. An obese adolescent must therefore learn to eat and enjoy healthy foods in moderate amounts and to exercise regularly to maintain the desired weight. Parents of an obese child can improve their child=s self esteem by emphasizing the child=s strengths and positive qualities rather than just focusing on their weight problem.
When a child or adolescent with obesity
also has emotional problems, a child and adolescent psychiatrist can work
with the child’s family physician to develop a comprehensive treatment
plan. Such a plan would include reasonable weight loss goals, dietary
and physical activity management, behavior modification, and family
involvement.
FOCUS ON HEALTH RATHER THAN WEIGHT. The most successful approaches focus on feeling better, stronger and more energetic rather than on a target weight.
DON'T BAN ANY FOOD. Let kids keep foods they "can't give up" in a junk-food drawer for an occasional treat.
TAKE CHARGE. Don't turn over food decisions to kids. It's the parents' responsibility to provide healthy meals.
WATCH PORTION SIZE. A good rule-of-thumb for young children is 1 tablespoon of food on the plate for each year of age.
LIMIT SODA AND JUICE. Kids are much better off eating fruit than drinking juice.
ENCOURAGE CHILDREN TO PARTICIPATE in one sport each season. Also provide opportunities for informal forms of activity, such as Rollerblading or dancing.
TURN OFF THE TELEVISION. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends limiting TV time to less than two hours a day.AVOID QUICK FIXES. Weight-loss pills, potions and diets may not be safe for growing children.
NEVER SAY DIET. Aim for permanent changes in food intake and a gradual weight loss of half-pound to a pound a week.
Many overweight children who are still growing will not need to lose weight, but can reduce their rate of weight gain so that they can “grow into” their weight. Your child’s diet should be safe and nutritious. Is should include all of the recommended Dietary allowances (RDAs) for vitamins, minerals, and protein and contain the foods from the major Food Guide Pyramid groups. Any weight-loss diet should be low in calories (energy) only, not in essential nutrients. Even with extremely overweight children, weight loss should be gradual. Crash diets and diet pills can compromise growth and are not recommended by many healthcare professionals. Weight control must be considered a lifelong effort. A physician should supervise any weight management program for children.