Obesity has become an increasingly common problem among children. According to nutritionist Andrea Amaral, this disease is considered an epidemic throughout the world, as well as a serious public health problem. “One in every 3 children between 5 and 9 years old is overweight and 8 in every 10 teenagers will become an obese adult”, highlights the doctor.
According to Andrea, childhood obesity is a chronic disease characterized by the accumulation of fat in children up to 12 years of age. “This accumulation is responsible for a series of diseases, such as hypertension, diabetes and even emotional problems, leading to low self-esteem. And the main problem is that children are exposed to this excess fat from a very early age, increasing the risk of these complications and leading to a low life expectancy.”
The diagnosis of childhood obesity is made according to tables that take into account the Body Mass Index (BMI) according to age, weight according to age, and height according to age. “It is important to have regular consultations with pediatricians, because they are generally the ones who identify the risk of the child developing excess weight and refer them to specialized care”, explains Andrea.
For the doctor, childhood obesity is multifactorial and, among the causes, are genetics, the environment in which the child is inserted, hormonal factors and changes in the intestinal flora. “But the main factors are incorrect eating habits and a sedentary lifestyle. Another problem is the reduction in sleep quality, which leads to changes in hormones. And we cannot forget the psychological causes, such as anxiety and depression”, said the nutritionist.
As obesity is a complex disease, treatment is also complex. “Often, it involves a team of several professionals. Treatment is based on correcting the causes, with changes in eating habits, combating a sedentary lifestyle, encouraging quality sleep and psychological support. An obese child has an 80% chance of being an obese adult, so it is important to focus on lasting changes”, he concludes.
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