Childhood obesity is increasing day by day in developed countries. It has been determined that the incidence of childhood obesity is higher in girls than boys and that every obese child is a candidate for an obese adult with a 70% probability. Obesity or mild obesity can simply be defined as "higher body fat ratio than it should be."
Genetics is one of the primary factors that determine a child's predisposition to obesity. However, environmental factors, family lifestyle and eating habits, and cultural environment also play an important role in increasing the incidence of obesity in children.
Maternal nutrition during pregnancy is associated with child obesity. When a woman who was overweight before pregnancy is overfed during her pregnancy, the flow of nutrients to the baby in the womb is higher than the requirement. The result is a newborn with excess body weight. On the other hand, if the expectant mother, who was inadequately and unbalancedly nourished before pregnancy, is also malnourished during her pregnancy, she gives birth to a large proportion of low-birth-weight babies. The child born this way is programmed to use body fat in the most economical way to increase his chances of survival. Accordingly, the risk of obesity increases in adulthood.
The foundations of obesity are laid in infancy.With the start of complementary foods in infancy, it is also important for the family to create the child's food preferences in a healthy way and in the right order. is important. The mother's food preferences during pregnancy and breastfeeding lay the first foundations for the formation of the child's taste.
The risk of being overweight increases 1.5 times in children who do not have breakfast.In the daily rush, the child does not have breakfast. Leaving home or the mother not having time to prepare breakfast causes the child to skip this meal and consume high-energy, saturated fat-rich products instead of breakfast.
Eating behavior is familial. The family's eating habits influence the child's food preferences. is an important factor affecting The prevalence of obesity in a child is 40% in children with one obese parent and 8% in children with both obese parents. It has been determined that it increases by 0.
The psychological state of the child is also one of the factors affecting nutrition. While some children may experience loss of appetite under stress, overeating may be observed in others. The family's criticism and condemnation of the obese child may push the child into the lap of eating behavior disorders.
Low-calorie diets cannot be applied to children. A nutrition program should be applied to an obese child, under the control of a nutritionist, in line with his needs and characteristics. . The child, who receives as much energy and nutrients as he needs, will reach his required weight at a certain pace.
It has been observed that the risk of obesity increases 3 times in children who sleep less than eight hours. It has been determined that lack of sleep time increases the risk of obesity in children.
The place of physical activity in protecting and fighting against obesity is undeniable. The significant decrease in physical activity all over the world is one of the important factors that pave the way for obesity.
Schools also have a responsibility in this sense. Children should be provided with time and space where they can engage in physical activity, food sold in canteens should be supervised, and food in the amount and type appropriate to their needs should be offered at lunch.
As a result; Many factors that pave the way for obesity can be controlled. The mother should not smoke during pregnancy, take folic acid supplements before pregnancy, the baby should be fed only breast milk in the first six months after birth, starting complementary foods in the right order, in appropriate quality and quantity, under the consultancy of a nutritionist after the sixth month, and continuing to breastfeed the baby until the age of two. Increasing the child's awareness of nutrition and motivating them to make correct and healthy food choices in out-of-home environments, increasing the family's nutritional awareness and consciousness, providing the child with opportunities and environments for physical activity, limiting the time spent in front of television and computer, regulating sleep time and, above all, working together with the child. The family also strives to keep their body weight under control and to have a healthy, adequate and balanced diet. When we are willing and able to be a role model for the child, we will have the key to protecting ourselves from childhood obesity.
Read: 0
