Childhood obesity facts

 

Childhood obesity facts

  
 Obesity in the broadest sense of the term, is "a condition characterized by excess body fat distributed across the board in various areas of the body fat." In the context of childhood obesity, there is an excess of fat in the adipose tissue of the child. However, the definition of obesity called "pediatric" is derived from the distribution of BMI (Body Mass Index), based on physiological criteria such as age and sex.
Childhood obesity facts
Childhood obesity facts

 Last fifty years, our lifestyle has changed a lot. We now have at our disposal not only a varied food supply, but our life is also greatly simplified by the technical progress. Every day, we use public transport, cars, escalators ... Children and adults are becoming more sedentary than in the past and they do not always make good food choices. Unfortunately for us, our genes have not followed. They remained those of our ancestors, made ​​to store calories in anticipation of possible famines ... The human body needs to adapt, but it can quickly move from one world to another deprivation of abundance.

Recognize obesity in children is a difficult concept to define than adults. In fact, as the size for example, varies greatly increasing. In most cases, obesity is wrongly associated with weight. However, it is worth noting that the weight does not allow itself to detect whether or not obesity. Apart from the proportion of body fat, it is good to also take into account the weight, bone, water or muscle.  

In addition, in children, body fat increases between 0 and 1 and then decreases up to 6 years, and before increasing again. This back and forth is fat that is called adiposity rebound. However, if it occurs between 2 and 6 years, then there is a high risk of obesity. In this case, the weight load of the child will be monitored.

To monitor the weight of the child, specialists use the same indicator that the adult, namely the weight on the height squared, called BMI (Body Mass Index). However, when using the BMI, it is important to take into account of course, the size and weight, but also and especially the sex and age of the child. Once the BMI calculation is made, the result should be interpreted. If the sum is between 18 and 25, the individual is of normal weight. However, a person is considered obese when his BMI is 30. Finally, 25 to 30, it's just a really overweight without adverse effect on the health of the individual.

 When one parent is obese, the risk for a child to be four times larger. When both parents are, the risk is eight times greater. Several genes involved in obesity and they are not all known. But there is no fate. Studies have shown that the role of heredity account for up to 30% in the development of obesity. This means that a child would have two obese parents has a 70% chance not to become if he lives in a supportive environment (regular exercise, balanced diet and in reasonable quantities).
We also know that certain diseases - genetic or otherwise - can be the cause of Childhood obesity, but the percentage of obese children is marginal.


Overweight and obesity can come from a poor diet, but also a lack of physical activity. For this reason, it is important to check that your child does not spend too much time watching television or playing video games.
To distract him, offer him meaningful activities. Even if it is binding on you, try to clear some time to bring him to tennis, judo, dance, swimming, etc ...

 

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