Childhood obesity
A multifaceted approach can be used to successfully treat the chronic, complex, and multifactorial medical condition known as paediatric obesity. Worldwide, children and adolescents are becoming more and more likely to be obese. Professional advice or up-to-date educational resources are frequently not used to address it.
Each youngster…
Every child should have the opportunity to live a healthy life free from obesity and its harmful effects. Why do children have to bear this responsibility into adulthood? One day, healthy kids will grow up to be healthy adults. The “vicious cycle of childhood obesity” can be broken by instilling good behaviours early on and reinforcing them, which can help prevent adult obesity and its complications.
Do you know…
Did you know that paediatric obesity puts children and teenagers at risk for both current and future chronic illnesses and life-threatening diseases? Metabolic syndrome, sleep disturbances (obstructive sleep apnea is most common), prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, hypertension, degenerative joint disease, exercise intolerance, polycystic ovary disease (female), hypogonadism (male), gallbladder disease, cancer, anxiety, depression, poor quality of life, and low self-esteem are just a few of the illnesses linked to obesity.
Regarding the “nutrition pillar”…
It is crucial to talk about the items to avoid (saturated fat, salt, sugar, or beverages with added sugars) when referring to the “nutrition pillar”. We must also assist kids in learning about nutritious eating options, such as fruits, low-fat dairy, protein, veggies, and whole grains.
The importance of exercise for health
Since exercise is essential for good health, it is included in the “physical activity pillar”. It comprises activities like swimming, walking, weightlifting, dancing, jogging, karate, participating in team sports, etc. It’s not a good idea for kids to spend a lot of time in the car, playing video games, reading, watching TV, using the computer, phone, or tablet, etc.
Now is the moment to detect, monitor, and treat childhood obesity.
It is improper and unethical to do otherwise. Failure to recognise, manage, and track coronary artery disease, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and other chronic medical diseases is analogous to these actions. Therefore, be aware of how crucial it is to treat obesity as an illness, just like all the others that are taught in medical schools.
Keep in mind that childhood obesity is a serious issue
Risk assessment and proactive advising are the cornerstones of obesity prevention, according to the American Academy of Paediatrics’ (AAP) paediatric obesity guidelines. Intensive lifestyle intervention employing the broad categories of optimising diet, activity, and behavioural support is the cornerstone of treatment for kids who are overweight or obese and over the 85th percentile for weight and height.
It is essential
It is essential to employ a complete strategy for treating and preventing obesity and to go beyond BMI percentiles and scale readings.
Obesity is described by the OMA (Obesity Medicine Association) as “a chronic, relapsing, multi-factorial, neurobehavioral disease wherein an increase in body fat promotes adipose tissue dysfunction and abnormal fat mass physical forces, resulting in adverse metabolic, biomechanical, and psychosocial health consequences.”
The OMA’s “four pillars of clinical obesity treatment” are one such comprehensive framework that may be used to effectively treat, monitor, and control obesity because it is multidimensional.
- nutrition
- physical exercise
- behaviour
- medication
The key is behaviour
The prevention, management, and treatment of childhood and adolescent obesity depend heavily on behaviour. It is critical to talk about routines for eating, sleeping, managing mood and stressors, and using screen time in the “behaviour pillar”.
It is essential
It is crucial to keep in mind that patients who are obese require our care and attention. When it comes to maintaining or regaining their health and wellbeing, they count on us as expert resources and partners in health. They require our assistance, patience, trust, support, encouragement, upbeat attitude, lack of judgement, etc.
You have the power to influence children and teenagers’ health today for a healthier tomorrow. Learn more about paediatric obesity, test children with scientific methods, encourage them to develop lifelong healthy habits, and refer them to a specialist when necessary. Take action right away.
