Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health problems of the 21st century. The problem is global and consistently affects many low- and middle-income countries, especially in urban environments. A large proportion of obese children may not have a medical reason to develop obesity. Overweight and obese children are more likely to remain obese into adulthood and to develop non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Diseases associated with overweight and obesity are largely preventable. Therefore, preventing childhood obesity needs a high priority.
It is difficult to develop a simple index for measuring overweight and obesity in children and adolescents because their bodies undergo a number of physiological changes as they grow. Childhood obesity is also associated with an increased likelihood of premature death and disability in adulthood. Overweight and obese children are more likely to develop NCDs (non-communicable diseases) such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases. For many of these obesity-related diseases, risks depend in part on age of onset and duration of obesity. Obese children and adolescents suffer from both short- and long-term health consequences.
The most significant health consequences of childhood overweight and obesity that do not become apparent until adulthood include:
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cardiovascular diseases (mainly heart disease and stroke);
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diabetes;
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musculoskeletal diseases, especially osteoarthritis ; and
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certain types of cancer (endometrial, breast and colon).
The main cause of childhood overweight and obesity is consumed It is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Global increases in childhood overweight and obesity can be attributed to a number of factors, including;
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Increasing diets of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugar but low in vitamins, minerals and other healthy micronutrients
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The increasingly sedentary nature of many forms of recreation time, changing modes of transportation The tendency to decrease in physical activity levels due to grasses and increasing urbanization.
The World Health Organization recognizes that the prevalence of childhood obesity is due to changes in society. Childhood obesity is mainly associated with unhealthy diets and low levels of physical activity, but the problem is linked not only to children's behavior but also increasingly to social and economic development and policies in the fields of agriculture, transport, urban planning, the environment. The problem is social and therefore requires a population-based multi-sectoral, multi-disciplinary and culturally relevant approach. Unlike most adults, children and adolescents cannot choose the environment they live in or the food they eat. He also has a limited ability to understand the long-term consequences of his actions. Therefore, they require special attention when fighting the obesity epidemic.
What kind of nutritional treatment should be applied?
Non-communicable diseases related to overweight and obesity are largely preventable. It is widely accepted that prevention of the childhood obesity epidemic is the most viable option, as current treatment practices largely aim to control the problem rather than cure it. The goal of combating the childhood obesity epidemic is to maintain an energy balance that can be maintained throughout the individual's lifespan.
General recommendations:
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Fruits and vegetables, as well as legumes and whole grains. and increasing hazelnut consumption
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Limiting energy intake from total fats and shifting fat consumption from saturated fats to unsaturated fats
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Junk food, packaged foods Reducing consumption
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Choosing snacks prepared with healthy homemade recipes whenever possible (such as oatmeal and raisin cake)
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Increasing sugar intake limit
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Being physically active
Parents' duties:
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Eat a healthy breakfast before each school day
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Serve children with healthy school snacks (whole grains, vegetables, fruit);
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Encourage fruit and vegetable intake to
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Restrict intake of energy-dense foods that are poor in vitamins and minerals (e.g. packaged snacks)
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Intake of sugar-sweetened soft drinks restrict
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Make sure to eat at least one meal together in a hurry
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Limiting exposure to marketing practices (for example, limiting television watching
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Teaching children to resist marketing strategies
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To gain knowledge and skills to make healthy food choices
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Reducing inactive time (e.g., restricting television viewing, computer use)
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Encouraging walking/cycling to school and other social activities
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Making physical activity part of the family's daily routine, such as scheduling time for family walks or playing active games together
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