The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents is increasing worldwide. The main factors causing this increase are restricting children’s mobility and changing eating habits and food preferences with developing technology.
Body mass index, a simple, applicable, cheap, and safe method, is used to diagnose obesity in children. Unlike adults, children have body mass index percentiles because their body mass index varies according to age and gender. According to these curves, those above the 85th percentile are classified as overweight, and those above the 95th percentile are classified as obese. Another easy method is to measure weight according to height. Obesity is defined as weight-for-height being over 120%.
Causes of obesity in childhood:
• Genetic factors
• Hormonal factors, hypothalamic obesity, hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, polycystic ovary syndrome,
• Increase in the number of harmful bacteria in the microbiota
• Decreased physical activity
• Use of drugs that can cause obesity
• Environmental factors and family, the mother being obese or gaining too much weight during pregnancy may cause obesity in the child.
Treatment of childhood obesity:
A multidisciplinary approach is critical in the treatment of obesity in children. The pediatric endocrinologist, pediatrician, dietitian, psychologist, and family must work together and try to move forward.
The first step is to try to maintain a diet and exercise routine. The point is to ensure that the lifestyle change is permanent rather than weight loss.
Although the main step of obesity treatment in children is lifestyle regulation, drug therapy can also be used if there are serious complications of obesity such as insulin resistance, hypertension, increase in blood lipids, and obstructive sleep apnea.
Various suggestions for families to prevent childhood obesity:
1. If you think your child is overweight, be sure to have him/her evaluated by a pediatrician.
2. Be sure to get help from a nutrition and diet specialist to help your child gain healthy and balanced eating habits. The nutrition program should be suitable for the child and his social life.
3. Try to be physically active throughout the day. Nature walks, sports activities, dance events, etc. where you can move together as a family plan.
4. Have your child participate in sports events at school.
5. Try to go to nearby places by walking, cycling, or using a scooter without driving.
6. Plan the time spent in front of the screen.
7. Do not use any food as a reward, even if it is healthy.
8. Try to give your child the habit of eating slowly.
9. Try to increase your child’s daily water consumption.
10. Have your child help you prepare meals.
11. Plan your meal times so that you can sit at the table together.
12. Reduce large portions and get used to ideal portions.
13. Try to increase the variety on your child’s plate. Encourage him to try foods he doesn’t like again at intervals.
14. Accept that your child may also refuse the foods you refuse to eat.
15. Ensure that the child eats foods such as fast food, candy, biscuits, and chocolate in a balanced manner and with portion control.
16. Try to prepare an adequate and balanced lunchbox for your child with healthy foods.
Expert Dietician Esra Toktay
Functional Medicine Dietitian
Email dytesratoktay@gmail.com
Instagram @uzmandiyetisyenesratoktay
References
