Obesity in Children

Obesity in Children

Abstract

The aim of this paper is to present an argumentative review on the topic childhood obesity. The paper would introduce the subject with a scientific definition of, what is childhood obesity. Further, the important problems that develop in children, in later years of children's lives, due to prevalence of obesity factors during childhood would be assessed. The paper would present the various treatment procedures and measures that are recommended for children fighting against obesity. Furthermore, consequences of childhood obesity would be indulged in detail. Some of the treatments recommended for curing obesity include research articles that support different counter techniques and practices. These include the facts that breastfeeding prevents childhood obesity. Further it is also established in several studies that love prevents childhood obesity. Similarly it would also be discussed that cardiovascular diseases are formed due to obesity in childhood.

Introduction

Childhood obesity is characterized by excess weight among infants and children 12 years or below of age. The child is identified as obese when their body weight exceeds by 15% the weight corresponding to their age. Come os the primary cause of childhood obesity may be:

Sedentary lifestyle;

Excessive consumption of foods high in fat and sugar;

Hormonal disorders (rare);

Genetic diseases (rare), and;

Behavioral patterns (Cheng et.al, 2013).

Furthermore, following below are some of the risks of childhood obesity, these include:

Morbid obesity;

Respiratory diseases;

Orthopedic diseases;

Cholesterol and triglyceride levels;

Hypertension and

Type 2 diabetes (Cheng et.al, 2013).

Discussion

Treatment for Childhood Obesity

Treatment for childhood obesity can be done through the guided practice of physical activity and a reduced calorie diet guided by the nutritionist. It is important that children learn to eat foods that are important for health. These food products include vegetables and fruits and as such children should always give preference to these food choices. The doctor may choose or not to choose to prescribe obese children to take drugs to lose weight (Must & Strauss, 1999).

Preventing childhood obesity

The prevention of childhood obesity may begin by exclusive breastfeeding until 6 months of life, and introducing good eating habits. Furthermore it is also important in stimulating exercises and games that spend a lot of energy of children. Moreover, consumption of food items which are low in fat should be made a daily practice and routine.

Obesity in Children

The risk of obesity in children has increased due to poor diet. To find out if the baby is obese, one must calculate their BMI using the following formula:

BMI = weight ÷ height x height and compare with the results below.

Further, below recommendations should also be followed:

1. Boys

Babies up to 2 years can have up to 20.1 BMI

Until three years the child may have to have BMI of 19.6

Even four years the child may have to have BMI of 19.3

2. Girls

Babies up to 2 years can have up to 19.8 BMI

At 3 years, the child may have up to BMI 19.4

Even four years the child can have up to 19.2 BMI

The maximum score or the higher figure indicates obesity. Childhood obesity is serious and should be treated as soon as ...