Obesity in Children

Obesity is a medical condition in which excess body fat is stored on the body and affects both mentally and physically on your health. This common disease is increasing and becoming more noticeable in today’s generation. Not only is it a problem with teenagers and adults but children are now suffering from obesity and being overweight. Obesity is a serious condition especially if it affects you from a young age. Children all over the world are obese and this is most commonly caused by the combination of excessive food energy intake, lack of physical activity and genetic susceptibility. This is becoming a public health concern as it can affect the children’s health as they get older. Obesity increases diseases especially type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnoea, osteoarthritis and certain types of cancer. This could trigger problems for children in their adulthood if they don’t do anything about their problem now. It can affect children from the age of two and older. The normal range for BMI in children can vary with age and sex. But for children to prevent this common condition they will have to watch what their energy in take is and how much they burn (output) by exercising and balance that with a healthy low calorie diet to lose weight. Children who are obese now are likely to be obese adults and that can lead to serious health problems. Statistics show that 50% of obese children continue to be obese adults. To manage obesity parents should watch what food they feed their child and also encourage physical activity or sign them up to a sport. Not only would it benefit them in the long run but it would keep them active and hopefully lose some weight. Being a good role model is a big impact on their lifestyle seeing as children learn everything from their parents. Food portions should be kept to a minimum and drink at least 8 glasses of water a day. Sugary drinks shouldn’t be given to children from a young age as it encourages bad habits. In conclusion it has been shown that obesity in children is increasing and to stop this from happening the parents and community are going to have to do something. Healthy small portions of food and regular exercise should be encouraged so children don’t face serious health problems in their future livelihood.