Exactly Tips And Ways How To Prevent Obesity In Childhood

Last updated on August 17, 2022

 Prevent Obesity in Kids

What are obesity and overweight?

Obesity and overweight are two terms that describe excess body fat. Obesity is defined as having too much body fat. Being overweight is defined as being above the normal weight for your height or build. The World Health Organization (WHO) defines obesity as having a Body Mass Index (BMI) greater than 30 kg/m2.

Obesity has become a global epidemic. According to WHO, over 2.8 million deaths worldwide are caused by obesity each year. In addition, it causes serious health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, stroke, cancer, arthritis, depression, asthma, sleep apnea, osteoarthritis, gout, gallstones, infertility, and kidney stones.

There are two types of obesity: primary and secondary. Primary obesity occurs due to genetic reasons and cannot be controlled through lifestyle changes. Secondary obesity is caused by poor nutrition and lack of exercise.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. The prevalence has increased at an alarming rate

Obesity is a common health issue that is defined by having a high percentage of body fat. A body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher is an indicator of obesity.

Cause of obesity in childhood Consequences of obesity in childhood Encourage eating slowly and only when hungry Limit unhealthy foods in the household Let food just be fuel for the body Create an environment of activity De-emphasize body shape and weight
Love them unconditionally

Cause of obesity in childhood

The fundamental causes behind the rising levels of childhood obesity are a shift in diet towards increased intake of energy-dense foods that are high in fat and sugars but low in vitamins, minerals, and other healthy micronutrients, and a trend toward decreased levels of physical activity

There are simply too many reasons for the increasing obesity being observed in kids these days. One of the biggest reasons is the lack of adequate physical activity — running around, games that push the body to do more as they require not simply a quick eye but fleetness of foot, and a lithe body that can twist and turn easily. The other major reason is the switch to fast foods which are as dangerous for health as they are tasty and convenient.

Consequences of obesity in childhood

Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more likely to develop noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. Being overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. Prevention of childhood obesity, therefore, needs high priority.

The solution: healthy eating habits. 

• Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, and grains daily. Make sure to eat many different colors of veggies and fruits to get a wide variety of nutrients.
• Eat mostly lean meat for protein, like fish, chicken, and turkey.
• Drink lots of water and avoid juices and sodas containing excess sugar.
• Limit the intake of foods and snacks with excess sugar.
• Remove snacks and foods containing excess sugar from your home to eliminate temptation!
• Avoid eating a lot of processed foods and eat fresh foods as much as possible.

Prevention of obesity in childhood - Top 6 Ways 

Encourage eating slowly and only when hungry

Overeating can happen if you eat when you’re not hungry. This excess fuel eventually becomes stored as body fat and can lead to obesity. Encourage your child to eat only when they feel hungry and to chew more slowly for better digestion.

Limit unhealthy foods in the household

If you bring unhealthy foods into the household, your child may be more likely to eat them. Try to stock the fridge and pantry with healthy foods, and allow less-healthy snacks as a rare “treat” instead.

Let food just be fuel for the bod

Don’t turn it into a reward or save certain things to be special treats.

Create an environment of activity

Exercise is the other core component of a healthy lifestyle. Kids need at least an hour of physical activity every single day to help balance out their calorie consumption. Exercise has benefits beyond weight management, decreasing blood pressure, strengthening bones, and improving mental health.




De-emphasize body shape and weight

Encourage kids to love and accept their bodies unconditionally. Teach them to honor other people and not tease or make fun of others who are fat.

Love them unconditionally

Love them unconditionally don’t make derogatory comments about their looks or weight and never get started on the damaging cycle of dieting and bingeing.

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