Childhood obesity as a medical condition

Childhood obesity as a medical condition

Obesity in general and childhood obesity in particular, is becoming more and more of an international health concern. With rising rates of type 2 diabetes and other obesity related disorders, the need to address this concern is increasing annually.

Childhood obesity in particular carries additional risks and concerns which are unique to children. From toddlers to adolescents, there is a general increase in the number of children whose body mass index is dangerously high. Couple this with increasingly sedentary lifestyles among youth and the concerns for general health can be life threatening.

Dangers of childhood obesity

Research has demonstrated that many of the cardiovascular conditions of adult obesity are preceded by similar conditions in childhood. Conditions like hyperlipidemia, hypertension, and abnormal glucose tolerance have a significant impact on the future life of an overweight child and can seriously affect their health as they grow into adulthood.

However, some of the most long lasting consequences of childhood obesity are psychosocial. Obese children suffer discrimination from an early age and develop a negative self-image which persists into adulthood, even if they begin to maintain a healthy weight.

Research has shown that people who were obese in adolescence and early adulthood had fewer average years of advanced education, less family income, and lower marriage rates than people who were not obese at the same ages.

Regardless of this, the medical and health consequences of childhood obesity predispose young children to serious medical conditions earlier in life. Aside from overweight and obese children being taller, having advanced bone ages, and maturing earlier, obesity also puts a strain on a young cardiovascular system. Increased blood lipids (hyperlipidemia) results in an increase in LDL (bad) cholesterol and triglycerides, and a decrease in HDL (good) cholesterol. Obese children are also more at risk from glucose intolerance and diabetes as well as a small increased risk of hypertension (high blood pressure). Obese children are also at risk of sleep apnoea which can affect learning and bone and joint issues.

Reducing childhood obesity

One research study has found that a modest reduction in the number of carbonated drinks that an overweight group of children drank resulted in a substantial reduction in overweight and obese children as compared to a control group. This research demonstrates the importance of a systematic but incremental change: identifying the environmental factors which contribute to obesity and systematically replacing them with more healthful activities can have a significant impact on rates of childhood obesity.

Because many of the morbidities associated with obesity are already recognisable in childhood, it’s important that children be treated for obesity. The American Medical Association now officially considers obesity a chronic medical condition. This means that parents have a responsibility to help their children gain and maintain a healthy body weight in the same way that parents have a responsibility to treat any medical condition. Many of the medical conditions associated with childhood obesity are reduced in adulthood and the prognosis for children who gain and maintain a healthy body weight is greatly improved.

While it’s important to tailor a weight loss lifestyle to the individual needs of the child, there are various changes you can start making today that can help:

• Encourage children to take part in physical activity by buying them active gifts like skateboards, bicycles, and balls.
• Take part in physical activity as a family to encourage enjoyable exercise. Take a walk together, play ball sports together, or encourage the child to try out for a school sports team.
• Eliminate fatty cuts of meat from the child’s diet and replace with lean, skinless chicken and fish.
• Provide healthy snacks like dried fruit, nuts, cracker bread, and low GI wholewheat toast with peanut butter (with no added salt or sugar).
• Ensure that the child is eating five portions of fruits and vegetables and reduce starchy, fried vegetables like potato chips and wedges.
• Eliminate fast food from the child’s diet and replace with vegetables, wholegrains, and lean proteins.
• Reduce or eliminate sugary drinks from the child’s diet. Replace fruit juice and cool drinks with water.
• Ensure that dairy is low fat or fat-free.

Remember to speak to your doctor, fitness expert, or dietitian before beginning any weight loss regime. If you have any questions, be sure to log in to your e|Care portal and make use of the ‘ask the professional’ tool. You have access to a doctor, dietitian, and fitness expert who will answer your questions within 48 hours.