It is a serious condition with a high incidence in recent years, in which there is an excessive amount of body fat, which causes a series of associated diseases and complications, such as diabetes or hypertension, conditions that were previously identified as adult conditions, and that today, with increasing frequency, occur at younger ages, putting children’s and adolescents’ health at risk.
Childhood obesity not only produces physical problems, but also psychological ones, since it affects the child’s self-esteem, and can cause anxiety and depression.
Hence the importance of preventing obesity by promoting a healthy culture of having a balanced diet and performing some physical activity daily. Starting to prevent obesity in a child is to prevent diseases in the future and provide a better quality of life in all its stages.
The main causes of childhood obesity are a sedentary lifestyle, poor nutrition, and excess calories ingested, which causes a vicious circle in which constant weight gain is expected.
Likewise, a series of social, cultural, genetic, and hormonal potential risks that influence obesity have been identified:
- Consuming too much sugar, fat, and carbohydrates.
- Sedentary lifestyle.
- Family history of obesity.
- Stress and anxiety.
- Certain medications such as cortisone.
Obesity causes serious complications in a child, affecting their life at a physical, psychological, and sociocultural level:
- Sleep apnea.
- Fatty liver.
- Anxiety.
- Depression.
- Diabetes.
- High cholesterol levels.
- High blood pressure.
- Aching joints.
- Breathing difficulties.
