It is way beyond your looks. Obesity has a lot of many health complications

Carrying too many kilos is a solid signal of current or future health problems. Some children who are obese manage to escape the usual hazards, at least temporarily. Most childrenwith obesity show potentially unhealthy changes in metabolism.

Causes of obesity in children

There are a number of causes of obesity in children. Listed below are a few of them.

• Diet and lifestyle

Much of what you eat is quick and easy i.e., from fat-filled fast food to processed and pre-packaged meals. Daily schedules are so busy that there is little time to make healthier meals or to squeeze in some exercise. And above, modern life is deskbound. Children spend more time playing with electronic devices than actively playing outside. Children who watch TV for more than 4 hours a day are more likely to be overweight.

• Exercise and physical activity

Many children donot get enough physical activity. Children should actively play outdoor games several times every day. Older children and teenagers should get one hour or more of moderate to vigorous exercise every day, including aerobic and muscle-and-bone-strengthening activities.

• Genetics

Genetics can play a major role in what children weigh. Genes help to determine body type and how the body stores and burns fat. But genes alone can't explain the current obesity crisis. Both genes and habits are passed down from one generation to the next.Family members tend to have similar eating patterns, levels of physical activity, and attitudes toward being overweight. A child's chances of being overweight increase if one or both parents are overweight or obese.

Health complications due to obesity

Obesity puts children at risk for health complications that can affect their health now and in the future. In addition to the risks to childhood obesity, these children are at greater risk of becoming obese adults, with all the health complications associated with obesity lasting through the lifespan. These health complications due to obesity include serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, gout, pulmonary problems, psychosocial problems, and some types of cancer.

Obesity may increase the risk of many other health problems such as bone and joint problems, shortness of breath that makes exercise, sports, or any physical activity more difficult which can also make asthma symptoms worse or lead children to develop asthma, restless sleep or breathing problems at night such as obstructive sleepapnoea, tendency to mature earlier, liver disease, and gallbladder disease.

Obese children may be taller and more sexually mature than their peers, raising expectations that they should act as old as they look, not as old as they are. Obese girls may have irregular menstrual cycles and fertility problems in adulthood.Cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure, high cholesterol and diabetes that develop in childhood can further lead to heart disease, heart failure, and stroke in adulthood.

Conclusion

The key to keeping children healthy is taking a whole-family approach. Preventing your children from becoming overweight means making choices in the way your family eats and exercises, and how you spend time together. Helping children lead healthy lifestyles begins with parents being their role model. Try losing as little as 5% of the body weight and it will definitely lower the risk for several health complications. Make healthy eating and exercise a family affair. Donot forget to get your children involved by letting them help you plan and prepare healthy meals. Take them along when you go grocery shopping. Teach them how to make good food choices. Talk to children about the importance of eating well and being active.