Simply; The condition that can also be described as excessive fat storage in the body is called obesity. In the second half of the 20th century and in the 21st century, while prosperity increased, especially in the Western world, access to food became easier, food became cheaper and diversified at the same time. In addition, "fast food" brought by fast living conditions, all night snacks that started with television and changes in our food habits have brought with them excess weight all over the world. Unhealthy eating habits, chemical and hormone-containing foods, and decreased daily activity result in the accumulation of excessive amounts of fat in the body. In adults, body mass index is calculated in formulas where height and weight are usually taken as measurements. However, unlike adults, body mass index does not have a fixed value for obesity in children. The amount of fat is different in boys and girls. In addition, the amount of body fat changes with increasing age. For this reason, children are evaluated for body mass index by using age and sex-specific percentiles, that is, growth curves. In addition, the ratio of the child's weight to the ideal weight according to the height, that is, the relative weight is frequently used in the diagnosis of obesity.
Today; Obesity is considered one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Especially in our country, exam marathons that children endure and spending time in front of computer games increase this process. Children of obese families are 2-3 times more likely to be obese than normal. If both parents are obese, there is an 80% risk of their children being obese, 40% if one of them is obese, and 10% if both parents are normal weight. Children who are overweight in childhood (3-10 years) become overweight or obese at a rate of 50% in adulthood. University of California faculty member James Fowler said that one of the surprising results of the research is that even friends who are hundreds of kilometers away can affect their weight status. According to research, those who have an obese friend are overweight. The probability of being obese increases by 57 percent, by 40 percent for those with an obese sibling, and by 37 percent for those with an obese spouse. In very close friendships, the risk is tripled.
The Ministry of Health Turkey Nutrition and Health Survey conducted in 2010 showed that in children aged 0-5, 26.4%; It reveals that 22.5% of children between the ages of 6-18 have weight problems. About one out of every four children has a weight problem. Unfortunately, this problem has deepened over the years. Apart from nutritional-physical activity disorder, hormonal or genetic factors may rarely be involved. The child should definitely be evaluated in this respect as well.
In a striking study, it was determined that obese children of the 21st century will unfortunately live shorter than their parents due to obesity-related diseases. It should be taken into account that obesity will cause psychological disorders as well as very serious and various physical health problems. They will be excluded from the circle of friends because of their appearance. When the lack of physical activity is added to this, these people become increasingly withdrawn and do not want to go out of the house. This leads to more psychological problems. As they lose weight, their self-confidence increases again, they re-join social life and their depression ends.
Although changing the lifestyle, which can be summarized as restricting calorie intake and increasing daily activity, forms the basis of obesity treatment, it is not easy to implement and make it permanent. . Regardless, medical treatment must be done with the support of a dietitian and psychologist, as well as an endocrine or metabolism specialist or an experienced internal medicine physician. Popular diet practices that cause rapid weight loss are not suitable for children. They negatively affect growth and development. Instead, it is important to give the child the right eating habits. The following changes can be made in the diet of the child:
Consumption of cereal bread and bulgur instead of foods with a high glycemic index such as white bread, pasta, rice or potatoes, replacing packaged processed foods with fruit and vegetables in between meals, ayran instead of carbonated and sugary drinks, drinking milk and kefir, eating healthy food at home instead of "fast food" It would be appropriate to consume foods prepared with different methods, to go to the places to be visited on foot or by bicycle if possible, and to direct them to sports activities to be done regularly. Apart from this, it would be appropriate to set limits by convincing the child to spend time on television, computer or phone. It is very important for parents to be role models for their children. Complying with the food consumption habits of the parents, increasing their physical activities, daily walks, using the stairs instead of the elevator will make it easier for the child to acquire this habit. Adequate and timely sleep will not only provide hormonal balance, but will also reduce the feeling of hunger. Sleeping 8-10 hours a day and going to sleep at 11 am at the latest is the healthiest for children.
The most important point; Before obesity occurs, it is to gain the child healthy eating and exercise habits. It is possible to gain the habit and awareness of healthy eating and regular exercise, especially in childhood.
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