OBESITY IN CHILDREN Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. It occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age and height The WHO definition is: • A BMI greater than or equal to 25 is overweight • A BMI greater than or equal to 30 is obesity According to WHO in 2013, 42 million children under the age of 5 were overweight or obese. CAUSES OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY The fundamental cause of obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. . DIET: An increased intake of energy dense food that is high in fat • An increase in physical inactivity due to increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of work BEHAVIOUR: In today’s fast paced environment, it is easy to adopt unhealthy behaviors. A simple thing like watching TV during meals can be harmful, as they don’t realize that they are overeating. • Environment: Walking has been replaced by driving cars. Basic physical activity has been replaced by technology • PSYCHOLOGICAL FACTORS- kids may turn to food as a coping mechanism for dealing with problems or negative emotions like stress, anxiety, or boredom. • GENETICS- If child was born into a family of overweight people, he/ she may be genetically predisposed to the condition • MEDICAL CONDITIONS- hypothyroidism • Prader – Willi syndrome • Cushing’s syndrome • SLEEP- fatigue alters the level of appetite regulating hormones, which can cause children to eat more. PREVENTION • Pay attention to your child. Show them you care. Kids who are not tended by adults have higher rates of obesity. • Don’t use food as a comfort measure. • Don’t closely monitor the amounts your child eats or nag your child to eat at mealtime. This can interfere with your child’s response to hunger and feeling full. • Watch your own weight kids under 3 who are overweight but whose parents are not overweight, have a low risk for becoming overweight adults. • Don’t focus on weight. Instead focus on healthy living, good eating habits and physical activity. • Limit television viewing time By: Dr.Kanika Garg