CHILDHOOD OBESITY
BODY MASS INDEX:
- Body mass index (BMI) is a measure used to determine childhood overweight and obesity.
- Overweight is defined as BMI is at or above the 85% and below 95% for children and teens of the same age and sex.
- Obesity defined as BMI is at or above 95% for children and teens of the same age and sex.
- Body mass index (BMI) can be calculated by dividing the client's weight in kilograms by height in meters squared.
- For example, a client who weighs 75 kg (165 pounds) and is 1.8 m (5 feet 9 inches) tall has a BMI of 23-25 (75 divided by 1.8×1.8= 23.15)
CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN INDIA:
- We can't denied about this issue, because we all know it is on the rise.
- According to Indian Journal Of Endocrinology And Metabolism:
- Somewhere between 5.74% and 8.82% of schoolchildren in India are obese.
- In urban south India, 21.4% boys and 18.5% girls aged 13-18 are either over weight or obese.
- Worldwide, in the year 2000, the International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) declared about 10% of children aged 5-17 (about 155 million) were over weight, out of which 2 or 3 % (30 - 45 million) were obese.
REASONS FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY:
- Maternal smoking during early pregnancy is associated with a 500% greater risk of obesity at age 5, and a 260% greater risk at ages 9-10.
- They don't get physical activity.
- 96% of elementary schools offer no physical education classes.
- Adolescents consume more calories from sugar sweetened beverages and fruit juices. More than half of these beverages are consumed at home.
- Time spent in front of a screen during adolescence is associated with increased obesity.
- 7 hours is the amount of time kids spend in front of TV or computer screens daily.
- Snacks sizes have grown larger.
COMPLICATIONS OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY:
PSYCHOLOGICAL:
- Poor self esteem
- Depression
- Eating disorders
NEUROLOGICAL
- Pseudo tumor cerebri
PULMONARY
- Sleep apnoea
- Asthma
- Exercise intolerance
CARDIOVASCULAR
- Dyslipidaemia
- Hypertension
- Coagulopathy
- Chronic inflammation
- Endothelial dysfunction
GASTROINTESTINAL
- Gallstones
- Steatoheptitis
RENAL
- Glomerulosclerosis
MUSCULOSKELETAL
- Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
- Blount's disease
- Forearm fracture
- Flat feet
ENDOCRINE
- Type 2 dibetes
- Precocious puberty
- Polycystic ovary syndrome (girls)
- Hypogonadism (boys)
PREVENTION OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY:
- There are many things that a parent can do to prevent obesity in their child, including:
- Respect your child's appetite; children do not have to finish everything on their plate, or finish the entire bottle.
- Avoid pre-prepared and foods with extra sugar.
- Provide your child with a healthy diet, 30% or fewer calories from fat.
- Provide enough fiber.
- Limit the amount of high-calorie foods kept in the home.
- Enjoy physical activities as a family (walking, playing outdoor games, etc.)
- Limit TV viewing.
- Do not reward completion of meals with sweet desserts.
- Replace whole milk with skim milk at about 2 years of age, or at 1 year of age, if you are concerned about obesity.
- Encourage your child to participate in active play.
