OBESITY IN CHILDREN
Children whose body mass index (BMI) tend to be higher than that of their age mates are said to be overweight or obese. They appear to be fatter and bigger than their peers.
They wear clothes meant for higher age categories and not those actually meant for their age group. Obesity affects both the mental and health aspects of the child’s life.
Overweight children are at risk of chronic diseases such as heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure, diabetes, joint pain and so on.
They may also become mentally depressed, develop low self-esteem or even inferiority complex. Parents must ensure that overweight children are well cared for by ensuring that they eat healthy diet and engage in more physical activities.
The major cause of overweight is overeating and less of physical activities. When children eat a lot of high calorie or fatty food and refuse to burn them out through exercise or physical activities, they become overweight.
Children with a family history of overweight relations or close members/parents tends to also become overweight.
Kids who are experiencing psychological disorders such as depression or stress may result to eating more in order to cope which leads to being overweight.
Children eat what their parents give them or buy for them. Therefore, parents have to be intentional about their children’s health. So, ensure to give them only healthy and nutritious meals. Reduce sweet and carbonated drinks, they should eat fruits and vegetables instead.
Overweight children should be encouraged to increase their physical activities. Let them engage in physical exercises, workouts, walk instead of bus rides, jog around the neighborhood and reduce their screen time. Help them to become active in sports and other interesting activities.
Obesity poses mental and physical health challenge to children, but with the help of parents and education, these children can surely learn better ways to cope with themselves and eventually reduce their weights.
Parents and teachers should ensure that they eat nutritious and healthy meals and also engage them in lots of exercises.
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