Child Obesity is becoming a significant problem worldwide as physical fitness is getting collapsed from young ones’ daily routine. The reason is that outdoor games are being converted into video games. Additionally, board games are converted into mobile games.
Other than that, Healthcare experts have attributed the rise in obesity to unhealthy food choices and lack of physical activities among children and even adults.
What is Obesity?
There is a concrete way to define obesity. It is for calculating an individual’s Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is an individual’s weight (kg) to divide by his/her height in square meters. Also, a BMI of 30 or higher is what defines a person as obese.
Also, it is a complex health issue. It occurs when a child is well above the normal or healthy weight for his or her age and height. The causes of excess weight gain in young people are similar to those in adults, including behaviour and genetics.
Causes are-
Hormonal Imbalance
Internal Inflammation
Nutritional Imbalance
Sleep
Stress
Virus
Indians are highly open to lifestyle diseases or non-communicable diseases like tension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, and cancer, which, coupled with obesity, can only annoy the health complications.
World Obesity Day is globally on March 4 every year. Meanwhile, this year’s theme is ‘Every Body Needs Everybody.’
The probability of overweight and obesity in children is 15%. For those studying in private schools catering to upper-income families, the incidence has shot up to 35-40%, indicating a worrying upward trend.
How to prevent becoming obese?
We have all heard the saying, “Prevention is better than cure.” This thought remains true when it comes to obesity. All should teach healthy lifestyle practices from childhood. It is because children learn mostly from their parents. Parents should provide their children with healthy foods that are fresh and low in fat and sugars. Parents should also participate in sports and other physical activities with their children. Reducing the intake of processed foods and shortcuts is also a great habit of passing on to children.
-by Palak Thakur