As a parent, you want your child to be as healthy as possible, facilitating better growth and development. While focusing on their health, weight can’t be overlooked. According to Seema Chaudhary MD childhood obesity is more common than you might anticipate, exposing the young ones to conditions that were once only prevalent in adults. Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, respiratory conditions, bone/joint problems, liver disease, early puberty, and eating and sleep disorders are some of the complications children can develop. This is not to mention the emotional load, especially since obese children are more likely to be bullied and teased in social settings like schools.
Childhood obesity demands more attention, including enlisting professional help. For starters, you need to understand the common risk factors to help develop a healthier environment. Among the common childhood obesity risk factors includes:
- Nutritional habits
We are in an era where more people make fast food a norm. A child’s diet significantly increases or lowers the chances of gaining excessive weight. Baked, fast foods, vending machine items, candy, and sugary drinks, including sports drinks, to name a few, are among the top culprits. Adopting a healthier diet will help avoid childhood obesity and ensure they are well-replenished to match their development needs. An expert can provide nutritional counseling to help you stick to a healthier regimen, making it easier to avoid the extra pounds.
- Physical activity
Children in modern settings are not the most active physically. Most spend more time glued to digital entertainment gadgets. You might find it great since you don’t have to worry about their where about as you work on your busy schedule. Nonetheless, the sedentary lifestyle impacts their development, including putting them at an increasingly high risk of childhood obesity.
Children need an environment that fosters physical activity to burn more calories and continuously improve their motor skills. Developing such an environment could be easier than you expect, even including digital materials.
- Genetic predisposition
Do you come from a family with a history of obesity? If yes, your child is at an increased risk of childhood obesity. You can lower the risk by encouraging the child to stay active and eat healthier, low-calorie food.
- Psychological considerations
How comfortable is the child’s environment? If your home is toxic, or the child is struggling in settings like school, they are at high risk of becoming obese. Your child could overeat and develop eating disorders as they strive to cope with stress or manage boredom. They could also be copying parents/guardians’ eating tendencies. Parental, family, and personal emotional considerations must be effectively managed to help lower childhood obesity risks.
- Medication
Is your child taking certain prescription medications? Health conditions and medications to control them can increase obesity risks. Understanding the common options and switching where possible or adopting a regimen that lowers the chances of gaining extra weight can help.
Childhood obesity may not outgrow the child as they become older. It can stick, exposing them to more health complications, including chronic conditions. This emphasizes the need to invest more in children’s weight management to foster healthy growth and development. Visit Nova Physician Wellness Center today for more on childhood obesity, its management, and treatment options.
