Childhood Obesity

Our children are the most precious people in our lives… We always try to avoid mistakes that harm them psychologically and physically…

Our topic, which we will talk about, is the biggest gateway to the physical and psychological harm that your child can face, the problem of obesity in children.

What are its causes, how can we avoid it and what is its treatment?

Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition; Children are exposed to health problems that will affect them at a young age and in the future when they grow up.

What are the causes of this disease?

There are many causes for childhood obesity, the most important of which are:

Wrong behavior in eating: We always hear the word “ let him eat as he wants” or “He is forbidden to eat.”

This leads to the child eating in large quantities, and the lack of exercise and lethargy which will increase the child’s weight.

• Genetic factors: The child will be more at risk of obesity when at least one of the parents is obese, but this is not a prerequisite that the child will suffer from obesity due to genetics.
• Medications: such as appetite suppressants, allergy medications, and cortisone.
• Medical and hormonal conditions: such as hypothyroidism, growth hormone deficiency, Turner syndrome, and Down syndrome.

What are the indicators that make us take care that the child will be a victim of his weight?

• Distribution of fat in an unhealthy way in the body: therefore, we will notice that the child’s body is not harmonious.
• Lack of self-esteem: we will find the child going to school, going to exercise, or even being present among people.
• Eating disorders: We notice that the child eats at different and irregular times in the day.
• Shortness of breath during physical activity: We will find the child with an approach of less effort and no energy.
• Sleep apnea: We notice that the child has difficulty sleeping.

How do we treat weight gain in children?

We must return the child to adhere to a healthy diet and habits, including:

• Avoid soft drinks.
• Reduce the number of fast food that is full of fat.
• Avoid eating meals in front of the TV and the computer, as this will make the child eat large quantities of food.
• Encourage and reward the child for adherence to healthy habits.

Are Bariatric surgeries suitable for children?

In some cases, the diet does not lead to the desired result, as it has a genetic factor or a hormonal problem.

In these cases, we suggest doing the surgery to save the child from the risk of obesity.

The appropriate age for a child to be ready for obesity surgery is that he is over 10 years old

The most important step before the child enters the operating room is that he should be examined by the psychiatrist to determine if he is psychologically prepared for the bariatric surgery and also to ensure his commitment to the instructions and diet after the surgery and whether he will adapt to his new lifestyle or not.

On the basis of these psychological and behavioral analyzes, we will determine whether he is ready to undergo the surgery or not.

What is our role as parents to maintain the health of the child after surgery?

• We should provide the child with care and psychological support after the surgery.
• We must ensure that the child attends the nutritional follow-up after surgery.
• Prepare to change many habits and lifestyle changes for the better after surgery.

We are the role models for our children, as they are imitating us in our diet and our lives… Changing their life path begins with us and we must protect them from any psychological or physical harm, keep them away from chronic diseases and provide them with a healthy life.