Childhood obesity is a growing concern in the world today.

The problem with overweight children is that not only will they have to deal with the physical challenges of being overweight, but they also risk developing various health issues such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and heart disease. It is, therefore, necessary that parents, teachers, and caregivers should recognize early signs that a child may become obese or overweight. Here are ten signs that a child will become overweight by age ten.

Family History

If a child has a family history of obesity, it increases the likelihood that they will become overweight. A child may inherit unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as lack of exercise and poor diet, from family members.

Therefore, it is crucial to keep track of the family history of weight issues. If not addressed early, it may result in an unhealthy weight gain in the child.

Lack of Physical Activity

Children who are not physically active are more likely to be overweight. A sedentary lifestyle coupled with consuming high-calorie diets can be harmful to a child’s health. Inactivity is an early sign that a child will become overweight.

Encouraging children to engage in outdoor activities, such as jogging, hiking, and swimming, is crucial in maintaining a healthy weight. Children should be getting a minimum of one hour of physical activity per day.

Poor Diet Habits

Children who consume a diet high in calories, sugar, and unhealthy fats are more likely to become overweight. An unhealthy diet containing processed foods, sugary drinks and snacks, and fast foods can contribute to a child’s unhealthy weight gain.

Moreover, skipping meals or overeating can cause a child’s body to store more fat. Encouraging healthy eating habits will help prevent obesity and keep your child healthy.

Screen Time

Children who spend a lot of time watching TV, playing video games, or on the computer are more likely to become overweight. Screen time can interfere with physical activity and also promote unhealthy snacking.

A child should not spend more than two hours in front of a screen time per day.

Sleep Deprivation

Research shows that lack of sleep may contribute to obesity. When a child is not getting enough sleep, their hormones that regulate appetite can be disrupted.

Additionally, it can also cause them to feel tired during the day, leading to a decrease in physical activity. A child should be getting at least 12 hours of sleep for ages 1-3, 10-12 hours of sleep for ages 3-12, and 9-11 hours of sleep for ages 11-17.

Bad Eating Habits

Children who eat too fast or who do not pay attention to their food may consume more calories than they need. The lack of mindfulness during meals can lead to overeating and weight gain over time.

Parents should encourage their children to eat slowly and mindfully, enjoy their food and listen to their bodies when they are full.

Unhealthy Snacking

Having unhealthy snacks, such as candy and cookies readily available, encourages children to eat them. These snacks can provide a lot of calories without much nutritional value.

Establishing healthy snacking habits by having healthy snacks available and encouraging children to stay away from sugary snacks can make a significant impact on maintaining a healthy weight.

Skipping Breakfast

Children who skip breakfast tend to make up for the missed meal by overeating later in the day. This eating pattern is unhealthy and increases the child’s likelihood of becoming overweight.

Encouraging children to have breakfast, even if it is just an apple or banana, can help them maintain a healthy weight.

Early Puberty

Children who experience early puberty are more likely to become overweight. Early puberty can cause a child to experience rapid weight gain due to hormonal changes in their body.

Monitoring children’s weight closely during puberty can help prevent unhealthy weight gain.

Emotional Eating

Children who eat in response to emotional triggers such as boredom, stress, or anxiety are more likely to become overweight.

Engaging children in physical activities, such as sports, yoga, or dance, can be helpful in managing emotional stress and reducing the likelihood of emotional eating.