childhood obesity facts and care

The immense majority of overweight or obese children live in developing countries, where the rate of increase has been more than 30% higher than that of developed countries.

Without intervention, obese infants and young children will likely continue to be obese during childhood, adolescence and adulthood.

What are the Causes :

There are three main reasons :

• Genetics
• Lack of Physical Activity
• Unhealthy Eating 

Other than that there are a few medical conditions (eg: hormones) which can make you overweight.

Many people say that it is our family history, But that is not true, those children may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight, but it can also be linked to family behaviour such as eating and activity habits, which gets inherited by child.

Risk of diseases in future :

• High cholesterol
• High blood pressure
• Early heart disease
• Diabetes
• Bone problems
• Skin conditions such as heat rash, fungal infections, and acne
• Low self esteem

Solution : 

Firstly you should support your child Morally. Never let him know that he is different. Do not say him change habits directly, instead all the family should change their habits, which will be adapted by your child automatically.

Physical Activities :

All the Family members should get involved in more physical activities. Arrange family activities that provide everyone with exercise, like walking, biking, or swimming and reduce the amount of time you and your family spend in long sitting and inactive activities, such as watching TV or playing video games.

Diet and Hunger :

For infants as per WHO:

• early initiation of breastfeeding within one hour of birth
• exclusive breastfeeding for the first 6 months of life
• the introduction of nutritionally-adequate and safe complementary (solid) foods at 6 months together with continued breastfeeding up to two years of age or beyond

Complementary foods should be rich in nutrients and given in adequate amounts. At six months, caregivers should introduce foods in small amounts and gradually increase the quantity as the child gets older. Young children should receive a variety of foods including meat, poultry, fish or eggs as often as possible. Foods for the baby can be specially prepared or modified from family meals. Complementary foods high in fats, sugar and salt should be avoided.

For School-aged children and adolescents :

1. reducing the fat, sugar and salt content of complementary foods and other processed foods.
2. increase consumption of fruit and vegetables, as well as legumes, whole grains and nuts;
3. engage in regular physical activity (60 minutes a day).

Other Life style Tips :

• Use of Warm water : Try to give your child warm water only instead of cold water
• Do not force feed your child : All children have their own unique hunger patterns and it is important that we encourage the child to eat only when they are hungry and always try to give freshly cooked food to you child.
• Use of seasonal vegetables : Its hard to develop initial taste of vegetables, But once your child starts eating it, They will start liking veggies by themselves and we all know how important are nutrients that are packed inside veggies.
• Use of Clarified Butter (Ghee) : It helps to boost digestion, improves memory and concentration, build immune system and will keep your child away from constipation.
• Use of Lemon and other fruits: First of all you should avoid fruit intake after meals and should try to give them empty stomach. Also avoid them along with milk, curd (Yogurt) and water. Doing so, will increase acidity and toxin build up in body. Having them in right way will improve intestinal and body immunity.
• Massage : You should massage your child 30 minute before shower with oil of your choice like almond, sesame or mustard oil. Doing so will improve muscle strength cleansing of lymph node system to drain toxins and also immunity will get strengthen.