In the last 30 years, the number of overweight people in industrialized countries has increased significantly - so much so that obesity has been called an "epidemic" by the World Health Organization (WHO).
In the past, many people thought that obesity was simply caused by over-eating and under-exercising due to a lack of will power and self-control. Today, doctors recognize that obesity is a serious medical problem due to multiple factors: genetic, environmental, behavioural, and social. All these factors play a role in determining a person's weight. It is estimated that 31% of Canadian children and youth ages 5 to 17 are considered overweight or obese.
Research has shown an association between childhood obesity and environmental factors related to a sedentary lifestyle, like television viewing, or a greater-than-needed caloric intake, such as with consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages.
Obesity is associated with many different complications:
- psychological problems (lack of self-esteem, depression)
- breathing disorders (especially while asleep)
- bone and joint problems
- diabetes
- high cholesterol
- gall bladder or liver disease
- high blood pressure
- stroke (mainly in adults)
- heart disease (mainly in adults)
- chronic kidney disease (mainly in adults)
- some kinds of cancer (mainly in adults)
The diagnosis of obesity is usually based on physical examination and a patient history (i.e., eating and exercise habits). Children are considered "medically obese" when their weight poses health risks. The degree of obesity is often measured using the body mass index (BMI). BMI is calculated as follows:
BMI = body weight (kg) ÷ height² (m)
Example: if your 4-year-old son weighs 40 lbs., which is 18 kg, and is 38 inches tall, which is 95 cm or 0.95 m, you divide 18 by (0.95 × 0.95). The result is 19.9.
The normal ranges for BMI are different for boys and girls of different ages. If you are concerned about your child's weight, you should consult your doctor or healthcare professional. He or she will compare your child's BMI result to a standard growth chart, and will then be able to tell whether your child should start weight loss therapy.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Childhood-Obesity
The dietary goals for children and their families are well-balanced, healthy meals and a healthy approach to eating. These changes should be considered permanent rather than a temporary eating plan for rapid weight loss.
Here are some tips for eating a healthy, well-balanced diet:
- Try to include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein (meat and plant-based protein, dairy products, beans, eggs, or nuts and seeds) in each meal. Plan your meals and snacks so that you choose a variety of nutritious, tasty foods.
- Avoid highly processed foods like sugary drinks, potato chips, chocolates, candies, baked goods, fast food, and frozen dinners. These are full of added sodium, sugar, and saturated fats. It is also important educate your child about targeted food marketing. Children are commonly targeted by television or online advertisements for foods that are highly processed, or high in added sodium or sugar.
- Prepare snacks with ingredients with little added sodium, sugar, or saturated fats. Replace highly-processed foods with homemade versions, like a healthy muffin recipe instead of store-bought muffins. Quick snacks can include fresh fruits and vegetables, nuts, or a hard-boiled egg.
- Avoid regular soda pop, fruit juice, sports drinks, energy drinks, chocolate milk, or sweetened coffees, teas or plant-based milks. Instead, make water your drink of choice. For flavour, you can add fruit or herbs like mint, or swap it out for carbonated water. Remember it is better for your child to eat their calories than to drink them.
Exercise and activity level are just as important as calorie intake. Children (and adults for that matter) should be more active, not only for weight control, but also for general health and well-being. Here are some ways to help your child lead a healthy, active lifestyle:
- Encourage your child to aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity each day. Many different activities count. Bike riding, skating, and going to the playground after school are examples of moderate intensity physical activities. More intense or vigorous-type activities, like running, swimming, or rollerblading, should be done at least 3 days per week (after consultation with your child's doctor).
- Build physical activity into the day, such as taking the stairs, getting off 1 bus stop early, or taking physical education classes at school.
- Choose some activities that can be done from home, like walking, bike riding, dancing to music, following a home workout video, and playing games outside.
- Limit television, video games, and computer games to 1 to 2 hours per day. Most doctors recommend less than 2 hours per day.
- If applicable, take the television out of your child's bedroom to limit viewing. One research study showed that children with a television set in their bedroom watched nearly 5 hours per week more than those without a bedroom television.
- Be a good role model - exercise with your child.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Childhood-Obesity
All children should have a medical evaluation by a doctor before starting weight loss therapy. The goals of therapy are to:
- lose weight slowly (e.g., approximately 0.5 kg or 1 lb a month)
- maintain normal childhood growth (e.g., growing taller in height) with no weight gain
- change diet, exercise, and behaviour
- involve family in counseling and support
- keep the weight off once it is lost
Recent research has shown that diet, exercise, and behaviour modification are most effective when the whole family is involved. A weight loss program may be futile and actually harmful if the family is not ready to make changes, because unsuccessful efforts may lower a child's self-esteem even further.
Since family support is such an important part of therapy, several "parenting" principles should be followed in the management of eating and activity behaviours:
- Find reasons to praise your child's behaviour.
- Offer rewards for positive changes in behaviour. Never use food as a reward.
- Establish daily family meal and snack times.
- Determine what food is offered and when. Involve your child in decision-making, like letting them decide whether to eat, or allowing them to help choose meals within healthy limits.
- Offer only healthy options.
- Remove temptations.
- Be a role model.
- Be consistent.
Drug therapy and surgery are sometimes used to treat obesity in adults. However, they are not routinely recommended for children and are generally not considered unless obesity is life-threatening.
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Childhood-Obesity
Childhood obesity programs can lead to sustained weight loss when treatment focuses on behaviour changes. There are several techniques available for behaviour therapy, including the following:
- Keep a daily food diary. Help your child record the type and amount of food eaten, when, with whom, and where it was eaten. This will allow your child and healthcare professional to recognize and eventually change eating behaviour patterns. For example, avoid eating while your child is watching television, doing homework, or playing computer games.
- Distinguish between hunger and appetite. Teach your child cues to control appetite and schedule meals regularly.
- Identify activities that will divert attention from food.
- Build self-esteem by changing negative to positive goals. Avoid weighing your child at home more than once a week, and focus on the changes you have made in behaviour rather than on the numbers on the scale.
- Reinforce positive new behaviour by offering rewards for behaviour and not weight loss. Avoid any food rewards - be creative!
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2024. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/healthfeature/gethealthfeature/Childhood-Obesity
