Obesity in children and adolescents

Obesity—Children and Teens (Obesity—Pediatric and Adolescent; Overweight—Children and Teens; Overweight—Pediatric and Adolescent; Pediatric and Adolescent Overweight; Children and Teens Overweight; Pediatric and Adolescent Obesity; Children and Teens Obesity)

Description of obesity in children and adolescents

Obesity – accumulation of large amounts of body fat. This leads to a significant increase in body weight in comparison with normal weight. High levels of fat in the body can cause serious health problems.

The causes of obesity in children and adolescents

Food and beverages contain energy, measured in calories. Energy is needed for physical activity and maintain the basic body functions, such as the breath. Healthy weight is achieved through the balance of consumption and maintenance cost of the life of the organism energy.

Weight gain occurs, when the amount of consumed calories more, than the number of calories, necessary for the activity of the organism. If the supply of calories occurs regularly, this will lead to obesity. Imbalances occur most often when consumed too much food combined with a low level of physical activity. Less obesity can be caused by drugs or disease.

Risk factors for obesity of children and teenagers

Factors, that may increase the risk of obesity in children and adolescents include:

• Sleeping problems, such as lack of sleep or poor sleep;
• Large birth weight;
• Lack of exercise;
• Mostly sedentary activities – watching TV, games on a computer or video game;
• Frequent consumption of fast food;
• Frequent consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages;
• Overeating;
• Stressful life events;
• Problems in the family or with peers;
• Low self-esteem;
• Depression and other emotional problems;
• family history;
• Genetic factors;
• Taking certain medications;
• Some diseases or disorders.

Symptoms of obesity of children and teenagers

The main symptom of obesity is weight uvelichina. Also, there are obvious areas of fatty deposits throughout the body.

Complications of untreated obesity

Excess weight in a child can lead to the emergence and, further, complications of various diseases:

• High blood pressure;
• High cholesterol;
• Diabetes Type 2;
• Diseases of bones and joints;
• Asthma;
• Sleeping problems (eg, Sleep Apnea);
• Diseases of the liver and gall bladder;
• Depression;
• Malnutrition, including eating disorders;
• Substance Abuse;
• The problems in adulthood (propensity to develop severe obesity and heart disease, early death in adulthood).

Diagnosis of obesity of children and teenagers

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and medical history, and perform a physical examination.

The doctor may use a body mass index (BMI), to determine, Whether the child's weight goes beyond the normal range. BMI is based on the values ​​of growth, weight, gender and age. In children, BMI results are compared with the results of other children and adolescents in the same age range. The levels of BMI for people aged up to 20 years following:

• Lower – BMI at or below the 5th percentile for age group;
• Desired weight – BMI between 5-84 th percentile for age group;
• Overweight – BMI between 85-94 percentile for age group;
• Obesity – BMI at or above the 95th percentile for age group.

Tests for obesity may include:

• BMI – It requires measuring height and weight;
• Dimension range waist, thighs and abdomen – It is used to estimate the amount of subcutaneous fat and intra-abdominal fat;
• Measurement of subcutaneous fat;
• Electrical measurements – with weak electrical pulses measured ratio adipose tissue and lean body;
• Blood tests – to look for other diseases, which can lead to weight gain.

Your doctor may also order other tests to determine the complications of obesity. They may include checking blood pressure and cholesterol in a child.

Treatment of obesity of children and adolescents

On the occurrence of obesity can influence personal habits, lifestyle and culture of the family. It means, that the best option for treating obesity may be a combination of different approaches. To help your child manage their weight, you need to promote a healthy lifestyle in the family.

Doctors recommend the following:

Diet for obesity in children and adolescents

The doctor may refer the child to a dietitian, which will help to develop a diet plan for your child. The plan may include a daily limit calories, recommendations for a healthy diet and a change in a child's diet.

Tips for the child to comply with the basic principles of healthy eating:

• Eat a diet low in saturated fat. Saturated fats are often found in processed and fried foods;
• Avoid trans fats. They are distributed in a variety of snacks, such as biscuits, crackers, cakes and donuts;
• Limit your intake of sugar-sweetened beverages, which include sodas, energy, juices. Encourage your child to drink water;
• It is necessary to go on food with low-fat or fat-free dairy products;
• Limit your intake of refined carbohydrates – sugar, white rice and white bread;
• Eat foods high in fiber – fruit, vegetables and whole grain products;
• Eat a diet low in sodium;
• Eat breakfast every day.

Children rarely can prepare their own food. Therefore, it is important for parents to take part in maintaining a healthy child's diet. For Example:

• Note, how food is prepared. Foods high in fat are high in calories;
• It is necessary to limit the consumption of fast food, try to have dinner at home;
• Collect your child to school lunches and healthy snacks. This can prevent the purchase of a child at school junk food;
• Do not use sweets as a reward for good behavior;
• Set a good example for children. Prepare healthy meals at home. Children are strongly influenced by parents. Eat together, how is the family;
• At the grocery store buy healthy foods. Teach your child, how to choose the right products at the store;
• Teach your child to limit portion sizes. The child can continue to eat your favorite foods, only in smaller portions.

In severe cases of obesity, child, perhaps, will have to follow a diet.

Physical activity

Encourage your child to participate in sports. General recommendations for the child include:

• It should be given at least one hour of physical activity every day;
• Uzhno limit the time, held the child in front of TV, games on the computer before 1-2 hours per day. If the child is less than two years, you need to avoid spending time in front of TV.

In more severe cases, your doctor may provide a specific lesson plan.

Counselling and support for obesity in the child

The child can independently deal with being overweight or obese. Some support options include:

• Select a weight loss program and / or counseling. This kind of support can give the child insight, why you need to weight loss;
• Ask friends and family to help the child. Motivation will send your child back on track;
• Check, the school or other institution, which deals with child, Encourage a healthy lifestyle. Help your child feel confident in choosing a healthy lifestyle, even when other children do not adhere to it.

Other treatments for obesity in children and adolescents

Some children, are obese, perhaps, already have serious medical conditions due to their weight. They can include problems with heart or lung, diabetes or diseases of bones and joints. These diseases may require a separate treatment.

Some children may have problems with weight loss, despite diet and exercise. For these children can be assigned to complementary therapies:

• Some medications (eg, Orlistat) may aid in weight loss, If used in conjunction with a change in lifestyle. However, the need to closely monitor the side effects of these drugs;
  • Note: Over-the-counter medications and herbal supplements, which are positioned as a tool for weight loss, can be ineffective, and some can be dangerous. Talk to your doctor, Before you assign a child of any of them drugs;
• Some obese children and adolescents may be a treatment option operation – ʙariatrija. This operation changes the size of the stomach and is usually assigned only, if all other treatment options have not had the desired effect.

Prevention of obesity in children and adolescents

To reduce the appearance of veryatnost overweight or ozhirenieya a child:

• Encourage your child to eat healthy foods. It should be rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains;
• Choose lean meats, poultry and fish;
• Choose a reasonable portion sizes. Eat healthy foods together, how is the family;
• Do not consume sugar-sweetened beverages. Encourage your child to drink water;
• Encourage your child to play sports or be physically active for at least 60 minutes, most days of the week;
• Ask your doctor to give specific recommendations, if the child is less than 2 years;
• Limit time, held the child for a TV or computer to two hours per day, or less;
• Check, that the child gets enough sleep;
• Set a good example for your children. Stick to a healthy diet, Be physically active.