Psychological and physical damage caused by childhood obesity

Obesity in children:

Obesity in children has increased in our time, as a result of the interaction between several factors, including heredity, the environment, and the fast eating habits followed at home. .

Or even as a result of a background problem from birth or as a result of a problem in the balance of the liptin hormone ratio, in the body, which has recently been known to be one of the genetic causes of increased fat in the human body, and research in this field is still ongoing. that are left behind.

Acquired eating habits:

These habits are due to social, economic and family conditions such as:

Family composition:

A single boy, born in a separate family, such as the mother’s divorce, the youngest child in the family….

Social composition:

Average hours spent by the boy in front of the TV screen, lack of physical movement, study problems (exams), lack of sleep period.

Eating habits:

As a result of poor fulfillment of the emotional needs of the parents, as this is compensated by excessive eating. Reliance on formula milk as a substitute for breastfeeding from the mother’s breast, introduction of solid solid food, lack of interest or much interest on the part of parents with regard to feeding children, and frequent eating of foods that contain a lot of calories. And canceling the habit of breakfast in the morning daily and eating a lot in one meal, such as lunch or dinner, and replacing the three meals (with irregular eating) throughout the day.

Obesity problems and its complications in children:

Obesity in children leads to high levels of fat and cholesterol, high blood pressure, problems with flat feet, or curvature of the spine forward. But the solution and treatment of these problems is to slim down.

The obese child suffers from breathing problems, as he feels tired at the slightest effort, and also suffers from skin problems (redness, strings, and wrinkles on the hands, feet, and under the abdomen).

Treating childhood obesity:

Treatment is possible at an age of less than six years. Treatment of obesity in children is limited to providing advice and guidance on healthy eating, because strict diets cause problems in the growth process in addition to psychological problems.

Tips for parents and children to treat childhood obesity:

• Fat relief.
• Reducing sugars between meals.
• Avoid sweet drinks during and between meals.
• It is allowed to offer sweets to children (from time to time) only after the meal.
• Encourage the child to eat carbohydrates.
• Protein consumption from plant and animal sources.
• Encourage fiber consumption.
• Establish a strict schedule for meal times to prevent (fast food).
• Provide a daily snack before or in the afternoon that contains fruits or milk and its derivatives.
• Provide a meal that fills the stomach, such as mixing vegetables with starches.
• Encourage the child to eat breakfast.
• Accustom the child to eat while sitting without watching TV.
• Teach him to chew food slowly.
• Encourage him to move physically.

Encourage children to make the right choice:

This is the responsibility of parents in the process of guiding children towards the right choice and the exact timing of eating. But the amount of food must be determined by the child, except in the case of a strict diet, where he is forced to eat the necessary quantities, and he must be encouraged to slim down, which gives a better result, especially by encouraging parents, family and friends in his surroundings, in addition to nutritionists, as they have a great role in encouraging the child to make efforts in this field.

Adolescents and obesity between the ages of 12-17 years:

Obesity problems in adolescence are among the most serious issues in developed countries that lead to many problems, as they affect growth, as puberty begins early and is therefore limited to bone growth, and affects this age more than its impact in childhood, as the young man grows Adolescents to become obese adults. This leads to changes in the blood, such as pressure, blood lipids, high insulin levels, and other factors that lead to chronic diseases in the future.

Obesity in adolescence causes problems in controlling the psychological and social situation of the adolescent, who becomes isolated because of his negative body shape and suffers from a lack of self-confidence. In addition to his lack of psychological and social development. Inappropriate body shape causes teenagers to have many problems with eating habits, such as anorexia and bulimia.