Why Childhood Obesity Is Rising And How Parents Can Help? Know From Doctor

Childhood obesity is a growing public health crisis that is escalating at an alarming rate across the globe. With rising access to processed foods, sugary beverages, and sedentary lifestyles driven by screen time, more children today are carrying excess weight than ever before. The prevalence of obesity in the childhood population varies from 10 per cent to 20 per cent, starting from preschool age to the adolescent period, with some variation according to the race, diet, environment, socioeconomic status and genetics of individual populations.  The concern extends beyond individual well-being, it signals a future where today's children may face shorter lifespans and higher healthcare burdens. 

Obesity is linked to genetic (single gene/polygenic) defect, lack of physical exercise, excessive screen time, intake of sweetened beverages, decreased sleep time, toxin and some viral exposure, endocrine disorder, and disturbed gut microbiota. Obesity is calculated as excessive fat deposition in the body and measured as BMI (Body Mass Index), which is calculated depending on weight and height. Overweight (BMI > 85th percentile) and obesity (BMI > 95th percentile) are two categories for the assessment of obese children. In conversation with Jagran English, Dr Janki Ballav Pradhan, Senior Consultant – Paediatrics, Manipal Hospital, Bhubananeshwar, mentions what children face when diagnosed with obesity and how parents can tackle them.

Consequences Of Obesity In Children

Obesity in children is not restricted to this age group, as the tracking of obesity showed that 80 per cent of severe obesity will persist into adulthood. Dr Janki Ballav Pradhan explains, “Obesity is related to metabolic programming leading to different disturbed metabolic consequences.” 

Cardiovascular abnormality (hypertension)

Dermatological (pigmentation)/acanthosis

Orthopaedic and neurological disorders

Psychological (depression)

Endocrine (diabetes/polycystic ovary/early puberty)

Obesity In Children Is An Alarming Concern (Image Credits: Canva)

Monitoring Obesity In Children

Dr Janki Ballav Pradhan states, “These disorders can start from early period of life, starting from 10 years onwards and require periodic evaluation” in the form of:

Blood pressure monitoring (every visit)

Annual lipid and fasting blood sugar monitoring

HbA1C, lipid profile

Sleep apnea monitoring

Renal function and endocrinological assessment at regular intervals after consultation with your physician/pediatrician

“Early aggressive approach in weight reduction, improving and engaging in sports activity, collaborative rather than prescriptive approach focusing on long-term rather than short-term goal of weight reduction, restrictive diet, timely follow-up and screening test of comorbidity, and lastly involving the whole family will achieve and reduce the disease burden and its consequence,” says Dr Janki Ballav Pradhan.

How Parents Can Tackle Obesity In Children?

Healthy food habits in the family 

less screen time and  no screen time  during meals 

No TV in bedroom

Eating fresh vegetables and home-based family food

Positive reinforcement for healthy playful activity

Engage in active sports and outdoor activities 

Adequate and early sleep 

Meditation and yoga

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