Obesity and adolescence: the starting point of chronic diseases.

Looking at the problem of obesity on a larger scale, there is likely a clear picture of the root causes of the problem, the impact, and the severity of the problem. The imagery that comes to mind is overweight women and men, heart disease, high cholesterol, stroke, etc. Sometimes we overlook certain aspects of the problem, such as the fact that being overweight or exceeding the standard weight limit does not only affect working-age women but can also occur suddenly in young men due to the consumption of unhealthy food. Many obese patients have accumulated symptoms and the problem often starts in childhood and adolescence.

 

The truth about childhood (and adolescent) obesity

 

If we go back several years, our country was not very familiar with the issue of overweight children. We only heard about children lacking nutrition. However, as time passed, in America, there are as many as 15% of teenagers who are obese. For Thailand, it is estimated that there may be up to 1.5% of teenagers with obesity. Additionally, it is estimated that there may be up to 1.5 million children with obesity in Thailand. Did you know that 30-80% of overweight children or adolescents turn into obese women? The health expenditures for overweight children are as high as 0.2-1.2% of the GDP of developed countries. Can you see the importance of this issue?

 

The two main factors that cause obesity in children are:

 

Genetic factors - Obesity can be inherited from parents or families who have a history of obesity. Abnormalities in genes may also contribute to obesity.

 

Behavioral factors - Obesity can be caused by an upbringing that promotes overeating and lacks control over food intake. It is important to know that childhood obesity affects physical, brain, and behavioral development, as well as emotional health. The most serious consequence of childhood obesity is the risk of developing diseases such as diabetes.

 

Obese children are divided into 2 types:

 

Pathological obesity group, which can be further subdivided into:

• Obese and short group with normal intelligence caused by a lack of certain hormones in the body, such as growth hormone deficiency, acquired hypothyroidism, or acquired hypercortisolism.
• Obese and intellectually disabled group with specific abnormalities such as Prader-Willi Syndrome.

Simple obesity group, which is caused by upbringing, environment, and genetic factors."

 

The disease of obesity... starts to build immunity since childhood.

 

• As it is well known that breast milk is like a elixir that helps infants become strong, healthy, and resistant to various conditions. In the case of obesity, infants who are breastfed have a higher immunity to obesity than those who are fed with formula. Additionally, there is a lower risk of diabetes compared to other children.

 

• Children should be disciplined in terms of health. They should consume foods that are not sweet, greasy or salty, prepare meals that are low in fat, avoid sugary drinks and sweets, and most importantly, promote physical activity or exercise for your children. Keep them away from TV screens and computer screens as much as possible.

 

Are you overweight?

 

It's time to check whether your child is overweight or not. The assessment criteria are similar to those used for adults, but there are some differences. There are two methods:

 

• Compare weight and height, based on growth, weight, age, and height.
• Use the IBM criteria or body mass index based on weight gain coupled with the rate of height increase in children. The ratio between weight (kilograms) and height (meters) squared is used. If the BMI is greater than 25 kilograms/meter squared, it is considered overweight and there is a chance of complications. If the IBM is greater than 27, there may be symptoms of diabetes, high blood lipids, and many other complications from being overweight.

 

Impact of Childhood Obesity

 

• Appearance, body structure, and self-image may not be a problem for children, but soon they will start to realize that their weight is a social issue that affects their confidence. In addition, their weight can begin to cause pain in their arms and legs and problems with various joints.
• They are at risk for sleep apnea and snoring.
• There are many risks associated with obesity, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, liver disease, and inflammation of the gallbladder.
• They experience abnormal growth patterns, early puberty, irregular menstrual periods, and difficulty in conceiving.

 

This is not an era where overweight children will be praised as cute anymore. Controlling the weight of children is necessary because obese children today will become obese adults in the future.

 

Supported by information from Slime Up Magazine.