Childhood obesity is a serious health concern to young children and has a number of long-term effects. They have a significant chance of developing a number of chronic health conditions that may have a detrimental effect on their mental and physical health. Even very young children are susceptible to obesity. One of the best methods to lower the prevalence of obesity is to start teaching kids healthy eating and lifestyle habits early on. The fact that some kids have larger-than-average body frames at different stages of development, which they may lose or gain depending on their growth, should also be recognized, since not all overweight kids are obese.
There are several causes of childhood obesity, some of which are out of your control. Examples include family background, psychiatric conditions, and lifestyle decisions. A child’s likelihood of being fat increases if they are born into an obese household. Inactivity and excessive eating, especially of processed foods, are the two main causes of obesity.
Children can acquire weight quickly if they consume a diet heavy in fat and sugar with no nutritious value; some of the top offenders include fast food, candy, and soft drinks.
Children who are obese have a higher risk of developing a variety of health issues than their peers who maintain a healthy weight that is suitable for their height and age. Among the serious diseases they are susceptible to include diabetes, heart disease, and asthma.
- Nervous System: Obesity significantly raises the risk of stroke, which happens when the blood supply to the brain is cut off. Due to the stress that being overweight puts on your heart and how it affects blood flow, overweight people are two times more likely to get a stroke.
- Respiratory System: Excessive neck fat can make airways too tiny, which makes breathing challenging, particularly at night. If untreated, it may cause Sleep Apnea, which may possibly be fatal. Patients with Obesity who also have Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) are fairly prevalent, and OSA can especially affect young children.
- Cardiovascular and Endocrine System — A person’s health depends on having a healthy heart. When a person is obese, their heart has to work harder to pump blood to all of their organs, which can lead to hypertension or high blood pressure. Additionally, keeping a healthy weight is crucial for people of all ages since high blood pressure is one of the main causes of stroke.
