Childhood Obesity: Little Kids, Big Problem

Did you hear? A new study suggests that by 2022, the number of obese children in the world will even outnumber the malnourished ones. What is the reason behind kids getting fat? Who is to blame? A parent, school authority, or kids themselves.

A number of things contribute to kids becoming obese. Dietary and lifestyle habits, lack of exercise, genetics, or a combination of these can be considered as causes of obesity in children.

Majority of kids love fat-laden fast foods, soft drinks, and prepackaged meals. Parents are so busy in their lives that they don’t have time to prepare healthier meals for themselves and kids. Besides food habits, doing some sort of physical activity is not a daily part of Indian parents. We spend more time outside in office or travelling than at home. There is not enough time left to explain or demonstrate our kids the importance of exercise. Plus, now more than ever kids’ life has become sedentary. Children like to spend more time playing with the gadgets rather than running, hiding, and jumping in the playground.

But, is it the kids’ fault that they’re not born with self-limiting mechanisms - and that, yes, too often parents have forgotten how to say no? If children were able to set their own limits with regard to media consumption they’d need parents only to provide food, clothing, and shelter. And, speaking of food habits, is it the kids’ fault that they get access to fast foods at every corner – near schools, in the street, malls, home? Parents don’t have enough time to educate their kids regarding the nutritional value of food items. What is beneficial for their health and what’s not?

Is it the children’s fault that play spaces are disappearing from the landscape? That playgrounds are not given the same priority as parking lots? That cities are built, not for walking and biking, but with automobiles in mind?

It’s not only about being fat at a young age and owing some extra pounds but obesity in children increases chances of developing medical problems that can affect their present and future health also. These include serious conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol — all once considered adult diseases.

Obesity in children might increase emotional issues too (such as low self-esteem), and may make them prone to bullying, teasing, or rejection by peers.

Therefore, the key to keeping children of all ages at a healthy weight is taking a whole-family ‘practice what you preach’ approach. There is no sense in pointing fingers at each other. It’s not the kids’ responsibility to rid themselves of a problem they’re not yet old enough to fully understand. It is the responsibility of everyone who lives and works with and makes decisions involving them. Parents, teachers, and city planners are all responsible for helping to create a childhood obesity crisis.

The obesity treatment starts right at your family level. If you eat well, exercise regularly, and build healthy habits into your daily life, you're modeling a healthy lifestyle for your kids. Talk to them about the importance of eating well and being active, but make it a family affair that will become second nature for everyone.

Let your kids know you love them no matter what their weight and that you want to help the whole family to be happy and healthy. If you need some medical help; you can also consult our doctors for obesity treatment. Homeopathic obesity treatment forms an important part of managing childhood obesity. Homeopathic medicines help speed up slow metabolism, commonly seen in obese children, and also help treat and prevent any diseases caused by childhood obesity, without any side-effects.