Childhood obesity has become a global issue over the past few decades.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the number of overweight or obese children under the age of five has risen from 32 million globally in 1990 to around 41 million in 2016. The trend continues to be on the rise and experts predict the number might reach 70 million by 2025, which is a drastic increase in a relatively short period.

What is Childhood Obesity?

Childhood obesity is a condition when excess body fat affects a child’s health or wellbeing. It is diagnosed by calculating body mass index (BMI), which measures weight and height.

Children with a BMI equal to or greater than the 85th percentile are considered overweight, and children with a BMI equal to or greater than the 95th percentile are considered obese. BMI percentile is based on age and gender-specific charts.

How is Obesity in Childhood Contributing to Future Health Issues?

Childhood obesity can lead to numerous health problems, both physical and psychological. Some of the common physical health issues are:.

High blood pressure
Heart disease
Type 2 diabetes
Joint problems
Breathing problems
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
Reproductive complications in the future

The psychological health problems include:.

Low self-esteem
Anxiety and depression
Eating disorders
Body dissatisfaction

What are the Causes of Childhood Obesity?

The causes of childhood obesity are multi-factorial, which include mainly a genetic predisposition, an unhealthy diet consisting of high calorie, high fat, and sugary foods, a sedentary lifestyle with limited physical activities, and environmental factors such as accessibility to junk food and lack of safe outdoor areas for children to play.

What can be Done to Prevent Childhood Obesity?

Prevention is better than cure. Childhood obesity can be prevented through lifestyle changes and the implementation of appropriate interventions. These include:.

Encouraging healthy eating habits: This involves promoting a healthy, nutritious, and balanced diet. Parents and caregivers should set a good example by eating healthy foods themselves and providing healthy choices at home. Reducing consumption of processed and junk food is crucial.
Promoting physical activity: Children need at least an hour of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily. This can be achieved through active play, family outings, sports, or recreational activities.
Reducing sedentary behaviour: Encouraging lesser screen time and engaging in other sedentary activities such as reading, storytelling, or crafts. Parents are advised to limit television, computer, and video game time to no more than two hours daily.
Involving schools: Schools play a vital role in promoting healthy habits and targeting obesity. They can provide healthier food choices in the canteen, ensure physical activities are included in the curriculum, and reduce screen time during school hours.
Improving and supporting healthy lifestyle choices within the community: Governments, community groups, and health professionals can collaborate to support families with resources and facilities to lead a healthy lifestyle.

Conclusion

Childhood obesity is a serious global health issue with significant short-term and long-term consequences. It can impact a child’s physical and mental health and overall quality of life.

Prevention is crucial, and a concerted effort is needed from all stakeholders, including parents, caregivers, schools, and the community, to address the problem. By creating healthy environments and supporting healthy choices, we can curb the rise of the X-Large Generation and promote a healthy future for our children.