Management of obesity in children differs from that of adults

Abstract

Obesity in childhood is a very common disorder with an increasing prevalence. It is one of the most serious public health challenges. The objectives of the present paper are to increase the awareness of the problem of obesity in childhood, its serious complications and the need for prevention. Overweight and obese children are likely to remain obese into adulthood and more likely to develop serious complications including health problems such as diabetes and CVD, as well as psychological and social challenges. Overweight and obesity are largely preventable. In adults it is difficult to reduce excessive weight gain once it has become established, thus children should be considered the priority population for intervention strategies and prevention. Nutrition, exercise, weight gain in infancy, genetic and environmental factors, all contribute to the aetiology. Prevention and treatment of obesity in childhood requires education and empowerment of families relating to diet and exercise, along with the regulation and control of food marketing and clear nutritional labelling. The eating and physical activity behaviour of a child is strongly influenced by environmental and social factors. Therefore treatment will have only limited success in an environment where adequate physical activity is inhibited and the consumption of high-energy food is stimulated. Government investment in a health promotion programme addressing the issue of obesity in the population as a whole, with particular emphasis on the prevention and management of obesity in childhood is vital. The family doctor and multidisciplinary team play an important role. Regular visits to the family doctor, including growth assessment, will help motivate the family to restrict energy intake and to increase exercise. Therefore the prevention of childhood obesity needs high priority.

Educational strategies for the prevention of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity

“…Inadequate sleep, sedentary lifestyle, consumption of soft drinks, and smoking are factors that can be associated with chronic diseases and some of these behaviors might lead to a poor school performance. 30,31 A study conducted with African-American girls used an intervention involving after school dance classes and family education aimed at reducing the habit of watching television and videos, as well as practices linked to video games. The publication of informative newsletters and health education talks were also employed.…”

“…31,[40][41][42][43][44][45] Unfortunately, the regular practice of physical exercise has been neglected by younger generations, with the sedentary lifestyle an increasingly frequent choice in contemporary life. 41,45,46 A lot of children's time has been spent on video games, computers, TV, tablets, and mobile phones, which have been positively associated with psychic and physiological illness.…”

“…41,45,46 A lot of children's time has been spent on video games, computers, TV, tablets, and mobile phones, which have been positively associated with psychic and physiological illness. 31,47,48 Physical inactivity should be avoided, while the regular practice of sports, dancing, hiking, swimming, jogging, weight training, and yoga etc. should be more encouraged in society, including among people with chronic disorders.…”

“…Negative mood disorders such as anxiety, depression, anger, loneliness, abandonment, and unemployment, among others, can lead to an increase in the consumption of foods with high caloric density. Individuals under greater emotional stress or solitary individuals show physiological problems more easily, 27,31,57 especially in the presence of an inadequate diet.…”

Acanthosis nigricans in obese adolescents: prevalence, impact, and management challenges

“…Generally, obesity is a consequence of the energy imbalance when intake exceeds requirement 65,66. However, this is an over-simplified explanation of a complex condition that is related to genetic predispositions, human behavior, environmental factors, and policy interventions 61,67–71.…”