The childhood obesity epidemic: A mini review

Abstract

Obesity is a medical condition resulting from the accumulation of excess fat in the human body to the extent that it might have great harm effects on the human health by increasing the diseases lowering the average life expectancy. A person who has a body mass index (BMI) of more than 30 kg/m 2 is classifi ed as obese; this is how obesity can be defi ned for adult, which is different than that in children. To account for variability by sex and age, BMI in children must be compared with sexand age-specifi c reference values (Centers for Disease Control growth chart). The terminology that is used for high BMI-for-age in children in has been based on the recommendation of an expert committee convened by federal agencies. Parents can be a good example for their children by modeling healthful eating behaviors and being physically active. Parents can also be effective advocates by being involved in efforts in their schools, and community to expand the access and availability of opportunities for physical activity and healthful eating. In the case of being an obese child, that means suffering from many health problems and obesity-related diseases such as elevated blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart diseases. Diabetes is considered as one of the obesity-related diseases; type 2 diabetes in children has linked with obesity; when the pancreas starts to produce the insulin hormone, excess body fat will not allow child's body to use the insulin as it should be which can lead to being a diabetic patient. Schools also play a vital role in teaching the students on how to eat properly and select the best meal with keeping their bodies fl exible by doing physical activities. It is important in order to keep children away from being in disasters by having a lot of obesity-related diseases (e.g., heart attacks and diabetes), which can lead to premature death in obese children. Children must be healthy since those children growing up in today's world are tomorrow's future!

Variables nutricias asociadas con la ansiedad y la autopercepción corporal en niñas y niños mexicanos de acuerdo con la presencia de sobrepeso/obesidad

“…4,7,28 Diversos estudios epidemiológicos recurren a la clasificación de sobrepeso/obesidad infantil en una sola categoría para facilitar la comparación entre grupos, considerando que el riesgo metabólico por exceso de adiposidad se inicia con la clasificación de sobrepeso. 4 Así mismo, se consideraron comparaciones antropomé-tricas que son referencia de comorbilidades asociadas al sobrepeso/obesidad, como el riesgo cardiovascular y el riesgo metabólico durante la infancia (indice de cintura cadera circunferencia de cintura). La comparación de variables continuas se hizo por medio de la t-student para muestras independientes y para la comparación de proporciones se utilizó la prueba χ 2 .…”

“…3 Además, se ha documentado la importancia de variables socioculturales, entre las que destacan los estilos de crianza parentales, la influencia de los medios masivos de comunicación y los hábitos familiares de alimentación y de actividad física. 4 Así mismo, se ha documentado la relación de la obesidad infantil con diversas dimensiones de la salud mental, destacándose la ansiedad y la insatisfacción con la imagen corporal. [5][6][7][8][9] Los trastornos por ansiedad son una de las condiciones psiquiátricas más comunes, presentándose entre un 9% durante la infancia y en un 32% en la adolescencia.…”

Implementing an Education Program in Elementary Schools to Improve Healthy Food Choices

“…They tend to be socially awkward with other children leading to isolation from peers. Additionally, overweight and obese children tend to become adults who are overweight and obese [4]. Obesity is related to more general practitioner visits, more school absences, more health-related limitations and overall lower general health scores [4].…”

“…Additionally, overweight and obese children tend to become adults who are overweight and obese [4]. Obesity is related to more general practitioner visits, more school absences, more health-related limitations and overall lower general health scores [4]. some of the more prevalent chronic diseases associated with obesity include: Increased blood pressure, increased cholesterol, heart disease and diabetes [5].…”