childhood obesity This is a growing crisis that every parent should take seriously. This not only affects the self-esteem of the child, but also opens the door to serious health problems like high blood pressure, high cholesterol, joint problems, depression and diabetes. Do you want to know how these factors relate to each other? Dr. Sanju Sidardadi, Consultant – Pediatrician and Neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals, Kharghar explains.

He says, “Childhood obesity is increasing rapidly and has become a matter of concern for many people. This is a warning to families as well as children not to ignore this serious health problem. “Childhood obesity rates have increased significantly in India and across the world over the past few decades. Various factors may contribute to obesity in children.”

One of the major factors contributing to childhood obesity is increased screen time. Many children spend countless hours in front of their televisions, video games, tablets, and computers instead of going outside. This can significantly affect their mobility resulting in them becoming inactive lifestyleUnhealthy eating habits are also responsible for this. Children have easy access to junk food, sugary drinks and snacks which can take a toll on their health. Obese children are more likely to experience many health complications such as difficulty breathing, muscle and joint pain, diabetes, high blood pressure, bad cholesterol levels (LDL), bone fractures, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), heart disease, kidney disease, etc. There is a possibility. problems, thyroid issues, stress, depression, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.

Chronic diseases that may be seen in obese children

• type 2 diabetes: This is one of the common diseases that is increasingly being found in children, especially those who are suffering from obesity.
• high blood pressure: Obesity can increase the risk of high blood pressure in children. Excessive weight gain can put excessive pressure on the heart as well as the blood vessels resulting in high blood pressure levels.
• joint problems: Obesity can be stressful for your joints and bones. Overweight children are often seen complaining of pain in knees, joints and hips.
• Depression: Obese children struggle with self-esteem and body image issues. This can take a toll on their psychological health resulting in depression, stress and anxiety.

Encourage your children to focus more on outdoor play instead of being glued to electronic screens for long periods of time. Children should get at least 45 to 50 minutes of physical activity, be it in any form such as cycling, running, playing physical sports with their friends, jogging, meditation, yoga, dancing, walking, aerobics and swimming. . With this, a healthy and fit lifestyle can be adopted in future. Focus on improving their dietary habits by introducing them to healthy foods. Replace sugary drinks, canned foods and snacks with healthy and tasty alternatives for the betterment of their health. Focus on their health rather than just their health.

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