Are you concerned about your child's weight? Let's talk about Overweight and Obesity!

Do you think your child is a little overweight? Or has a doctor said something about your child's weight? In fact, many parents are struggling with this problem these days. So today, let's talk about the conditions of overweight and obesity in children, or as they say in English, `(Overweight)` and `(Obesity)`. This is a very important topic, because it directly affects the health of our children.

What do doctors mean by "overweight" and "obese"?

Simply put, doctors use the words "overweight" or "obese" to indicate that someone is at increased risk of developing weight-related health problems. This is not a disease, but a condition that can lead to a number of diseases. That's why we need to be concerned about it.

How is weight measured? What is BMI (Body Mass Index)?

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measure that doctors use to roughly estimate how much fat a child has on their body. It is calculated using the child's height and weight. You can find this out yourself using a BMI calculator, but it is best to talk to a doctor to get an accurate reading. Once the BMI is calculated, doctors compare it to standard BMI charts. There are four main categories for children between the ages of 2 and 19:

• Underweight: If the BMI is below the 5th percentile, it means the child is underweight for their age and height.
• Normal weight : If the BMI is between the 5th percentile and the 85th percentile, this is the healthy weight level.
• Overweight : If your BMI is between the 85th percentile and the 95th percentile, you should be more concerned about your weight.
• Obesity : If your BMI is at or above the 95th percentile, this is considered a serious condition.

Instead of BMI, doctors use weight-for-length charts to measure the weight of children under 2 years old. These charts look at whether the child's weight is appropriate for his or her height. If a child under 2 years old is at or above the 95th percentile on these charts, that child is considered overweight.

Does BMI always accurately indicate body fat?

This is also something we need to understand. BMI is not an absolute measure of body fat. Sometimes this can give us a wrong picture. Imagine, a person who has exercised well and built up muscle mass may have a high BMI. But he is not fat, because his body has more muscle mass than fat. Also, during puberty, when children are growing rapidly, it can be a little difficult to understand the BMI value.

Remember, BMI is just a good indicator of how much body fat you have in general. It's not a direct measurement.

What to do if you have doubts about your child's weight?

If you have any concerns about your child's weight, the best thing to do is to see a doctor . The doctor will ask about your child's eating habits and activity levels. They will also give you suggestions for healthy lifestyle changes. Sometimes, blood tests may be done to check for conditions related to obesity, such as diabetes. Depending on your child's BMI (or body mass index) and overall health, your doctor may refer you to a registered dietitian or a weight management program. Very rarely, some children may need to be prescribed medication or even surgery.

Why do young children become "overweight" or "obese"?

It's hard to pinpoint a single reason for this. Most of the time, it's a combination of several reasons.

What are the main reasons?

• Bad eating habits: Eating too much sweet, oily food , fast food, and processed food .
• Lack of exercise: Standing in one place without moving the body.
• Genetics: Sometimes, inherited genes can also affect this.
• This is a collection of all of them.

In addition, some families may have difficulty finding healthy foods and safe places for their children to be active. Very rarely, weight gain can also be caused by an endocrine problem, a genetic syndrome, or certain medications.

How diet and lifestyle affect

We often choose foods that are easy and quick to prepare. From fast food to pre-made, packaged meals and snacks. With busy lives, there is less time to prepare nutritious meals at home and do some exercise. Similarly, portion sizes are important . The amounts we eat at home and out are sometimes more than we think. Moreover, life is very sedentary these days. Young children spend more time playing with phones, tablets and computer games than playing outside. Children who spend more time in front of screens are more likely to gain weight. Also, screen addiction reduces sleep. Children who do not get enough sleep can also gain weight.

How important is exercise?

Many children don't get enough exercise. Older children and teenagers should get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day . This should include aerobic exercise as well as activities that strengthen muscles and bones. Children between the ages of 2 and 5 should get at least an hour of moderate to vigorous exercise a day.You need to be active for at least 3 hours. That means running, jumping, and playing.

The influence of genes `(Genetics)`

Genes can also affect children's weight. Our genes determine our body type, how we store fat, and how we burn fat. However, genes alone cannot be responsible for the current obesity crisis. Like genes, bad habits are passed down from generation to generation, so several members of the same family can suffer from weight-related problems. Think about it, family members often eat the same foods, live the same sedentary lifestyle, and exercise the same amount. If one of the parents is overweight or obese, the child is more likely to develop the same condition.

What health problems can be caused by being overweight?

People with a high BMI, meaning they are overweight or obese, are more likely to experience weight-related health problems. The most common of these are `Type 2 Diabetes` (Type 2 Diabetes), `High Blood Pressure` (High Blood Pressure), and `High Cholesterol` (High Cholesterol). These conditions, once thought to be only seen in adults, are now becoming more common in children. Overweight children and adolescents can also experience:

• Bone and joint problems
• Shortness of breath : This can make it difficult to exercise or play. If you have asthma , it can worsen or develop.
• Insomnia or breathing problems during sleep, for example `(Obstructive Sleep Apnea)`
• Early maturation: Overweight children may be taller and sexually mature earlier than other children their age. This leads to society expecting them to behave more maturely than they are.
• Irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood
• Liver and gallbladder disease

Cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes, that develop during childhood can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and stroke in adulthood. Therefore, preventing or treating overweight and obesity in childhood can help protect them from these problems later in life.

Can there be psychological effects?

Yes, of course. Being overweight can have a big impact on children's minds.

• Low self-esteem: You may feel disappointed with yourself.
• From other childrenThere is a possibility of being marginalized, ridiculed, and bullied .

Children who are unhappy with their weight may face these risks:

• Unhealthy dieting and eating disorders
• Depression
• Substance abuse

How to prevent children from being overweight and obese?

This is not something that one person can do alone. It is a decision that needs to be made by the whole family . You need to think about how your family eats, how they exercise, and how they spend time together. To instill a healthy lifestyle in your children, parents need to lead by example. Keep children at a healthy weight at all ages, and involve the whole family. Make healthy eating and exercise a family affair. Involve your children in this too. Get them involved in preparing and planning healthy meals. Take them with you when you go shopping. Teach them how to make good food choices.

What are the common mistakes we all make? Avoid these

• Stop giving sweets, toffee, and chocolate as a reward for good behavior or to stop bad behavior. Talk to a doctor about other ways to change your child's behavior.
• Don't make it a rule that says "you have to eat from the plate." Even small babies will turn their faces away from the bottle or breast milk when they are full. If your child says they have had enough, don't force them to eat. You need to make them understand that they should only eat when they are hungry and stop when they are full.
• Don't label foods as "bad" or completely ban favorite sweets and snacks. This can encourage children to sneak them out or bring them home to eat. Offer healthy foods most of the time, and offer small treats every now and then.

Tips suitable for different age groups

There are things that are generally important for children of all ages, as well as things that need special attention depending on their age.

• Birth to age 1: In addition to the many health benefits of breastfeeding, it also helps prevent unwanted weight gain. Follow your doctor's advice about when to start solid foods.
• Ages 1 to 5: Instill good habits early on. Help shape their food preferences by offering a variety of healthy foods. Encourage children's natural activeness.
• Ages 6 to 12: Keep your children active every day. This could be organized play, recess at school, or outdoor play. Keep them active at home, such as playing outside or going for walks with family. Teach them to make healthy food choices, and involve them in things like packing a lunch.
• Ages 13 to 18:Teach teens to prepare healthy meals and snacks at home. Encourage them to make healthy choices outside the home and stay active every day.

Common important things for children of all ages

• Reduce the time you spend in front of the TV, phone, computer, and video games. Stop eating in front of a screen.
• Offer a variety of healthy foods, and have the whole family eat together whenever possible.
• Encourage children to eat breakfast every day.
• Give at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables a day.
• Limit sugary drinks, such as soda, juice, and sports drinks.
• Get enough sleep .

Finally, what you have to say (Take-Home Message)

Talk to your children about the importance of eating well and staying active. Be a good role model yourself. Eat well, exercise regularly , and incorporate healthy habits into your daily life. When this is a family affair, a healthy lifestyle will become second nature to everyone.

Remember, a child's weight is neither the child's fault nor yours. This is something we all need to work together to solve, with love and understanding. Got it? You can do it!

---

Overweight, obesity, BMI, child health, diet, exercise, obesity