Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents.
Children who are obese are above the normal weight for their age and height.
Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems — diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.
One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the eating and exercise habits of your entire family.
Causes
Lifestyle issues — too little activity and too many calories from food and drinks — are the main contributors to childhood obesity. But genetic and hormonal factors might play a role as well.
Remember, obesity negatively affects a child’s physical, social, and emotional well-being.
Being overweight increases the risk of developing pathologies such as:
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Metabolic syndrome.
- High blood pressure.
- High cholesterol.
- Asthma.
- Sleep disorders.
- Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).
- Bone fractures.
- Low self-esteem.
- Fear of being bullied.
- Depression.
- Behavior and learning problems.
Source:
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827
