PARENTING CARE: CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Maybe childhood obesity is not only because it’s runs in the family

But also because no one runs in the family

When the whole world is talking about decreasing the weight of school bags no one is even thinking about the excess weight our babies are carrying. Childhood obesity is a complex health issue, it is a condition in which a child is significantly overweight for his/her age and height when measured for his/ her BMI. BMI is an index used to classify obesity on basis of height and weight it is obtained by dividing weight in kg by height in a square meter.

As per WHO BMI over 25 is considered as overweight.

• BMI between 25 to 29.99 is pre-obese,
• BMI is between 30 – 34.99 class 1 obese,
• BMI between 35 – 39.99 class 2 obese,
• BMI more than 40 is class 3 obese.

When a child’s body mass index is at or above 95^th percentile for children of the same age and sex then he is obese . Childhood obesity predisposes an individual to a number of additional problems in their later life such as hyperinsulinemia, poor glucose tolerance, hypertension, cardiovascular diseases, sleep apnoea, high risk for type 2 diabetes etc. The roots of obesity in adulthood are enrooted in childhood it is estimated that almost 10% of the world’s school-going population is either overweight or obese.

Childhood obesity is a hurdle to the child’s well-being and physical development.

As per Ayurveda if there is vikruta vriddhi or abnormal increase in medo dhatu then he is having sthoulya/obesity. Ayurveda describes sthoulya as santarpana janya vikara which means obesity is a condition caused due to over nourishment.

Myths on childhood obesity

Obesity is hereditary it can’t be altered – yes hereditary is also a reason for childhood obesity but it can be controlled and maintained.

Its just baby fat and it will leave your child when he grows up – no it’s not so, once the adipose cells accumulate, they do so for a lifetime. So, its mandatory that physical activities are introduced to your child even from a very young age.

An overweight child must follow a strict diet regimen – When it is difficult to follow a strict diet for an adult, it will be so difficult for a child to follow it.

Why are our children getting obese?

As per modern medicine, the concept of obesity is a result of complex multifactorial causes and could not be attributed to a single specific cause. The causes vary from genetic factors to lifestyle-related factors including genetic predisposition or family Inheritance of obesity.

When a 13-year-old kriti was diagnosed obese as she weighed 69 kg when her ideal weight was 39 there were not any medical issues except a faulty diet and lack of exercise, after counselling and improving her diet, she lost 6kg in 3 months. At the age of 15, stressed from board exams her weight increased again to 72 kg, then guided by the doctor she exercises more and learnt how to deal with exam pressure. she got more sleep and cut out junk food, a year later she weighs 50 kg and feel more confident and is doing better at school.

Lifestyle-related factors such as excess intake of high energy-rich food to Physical inactivity contributes to the development of obesity.

Social and environmental factors are driving forces behind childhood obesity. Stress does have an adverse influence on childhood obesity. Childhood obesity is higher among urban upper classes than rural or middle-lower socioeconomic classes. The spread of obesity also indicates that Genetics is only one determinant.

All the credits belong to the food habits of modern lifestyle such as soft drinks, pizza, burger which are energy-dense food, making the child prone to develop should.

Less activity more screenplay

Lack of physical activity is another reason for childhood obesity with the emergence of Smartphones, gadgets and watching television. This in turn has totally cut down on playing with children of their age and other sports too.

Late to bed & late to rise

It’s trending nowadays just after the schools shut down due to covid, increase in late-night leisure activities like watching TV, playing mobile games resulting in lack of adequate sleep and laziness in the daytime.

Social trends which cause childhood obesity

• Increase in playing of secondary games.
• Availability of a variety of processed food.
• More frequent and widespread food purchasing through online and malls.
• Increased use of carbonated soft drinks.
• Multiple TV channels are round-the-clock.
• Increased use of motorised transport.
• Increased traffic hazards for Walkers and cyclists.
• Having more Medokara foods of guru, Madhura Sheeta ahara in excess quantity.

According to Ayurveda obesity in children are due to the below factors

1) Dietary factors

• Eating more quantity of food after lunch or dinner.
• Binge eating.
• Excess eating.
• Sweet intake.
• Eating heavy meals.
• Weak digestion.

2) Lifestyle factors

• Lack of physical exercise.
• Daytime sleep.

3) Psychological factors.

• Happiness
• No tension no anxiety.
• Lots of love from family and friends.

4) Other factors

• Genetic predisposition.

Who is at high risk to develop childhood obesity?

• Infants born to a diabetic mother or obese or a mother having a history of smoking in the antenatal period.
• Infants with high body weight.
• Children with a physical disability.
• Children undergoing treatment for epilepsy.
• Children treated with glucocorticoids.
• Children with eating disorders like bulimia and anorexia.
• Children with psychological problems.
• Adolescent with type 1 diabetes mellitus.
• Cancer survivors.
• Children with a family history of obesity.

How to manage obesity in children?

According to Acharya charaka, sthoulya/obesity is one among the 8 physical characters that are not normal or called as ashtanindita in Ayurveda. Sthoulya / obesity is comparatively more difficult to manage than karshya. Lifestyle management includes a reduction in calorie intake and increases in burning energy expenditure.

Ayurvedic treatment includes three steps nidana parivarjana, shodana, shamana. Out of these nidana parivarjana is a form of prevention of the development of obesity in children. It is a form of primary prevention and is most useful in children and adults it includes avoiding the reasons which can cause the development of obesity includes strict observance of ahara Vihara & Manas pathya.

1) Aahar Pathya

• Avoid eating food after lunch or dinner Avoid binge eating
• Avoid eating hurriedly
• Avoid excess eating
• Avoid eating sweet
• Avoid eating heavy meals

2) Vihaar pathya

• Do physical exercise
• Encourage the child in playing ground
• Doing yoga
• Avoid daytime sleep
• Go early to bed
• Minimise use of vehicles
• Encourage walking, climbing stairs instead of using a lift.

3) Manas pathya

• Minimise use of gadgets smartphones Minimise TV watching time
• Develop a positive behavioural approach.

Baby steps in yoga

Get your child involved in practising yoga poses right from a young age. Your child’s body will be flexible and he can develop an awesome immunity against diseases and it enhances your kid’s mental and physical charm.

Eat the Rainbow

The child should eat the right food in the right quantity. Also insist your child eat the rainbow colourful fruits and vegetables to give the body a good dose of carotenes, vitamins, and minerals. Always make a Priority for breakfast, feed your child with a heavy and nutrition-rich breakfast and he will automatically cut down on junk for the mid-meal snack.

Remember tasty and colourful will be the child’s First Choice when it comes to food.

Teach to eat right

Slowly but steadily teach your child the art of saying no to junk foods. Accepted that his peers and playmates are more into it and your child will be a mismatch to the gang but teach him slowly on the importance of looking good and being healthy which means no to junk. You never know but your child might spread this message across his friends and you can find a healthy generation ahead.

Play with your kid

Parents always will not get enough time to play with their kidoos but do find time for them. Read, play and cook with them. This will enormously add on their self-esteem and positive changes will be imbibed in your child. Involve in walking or running race and appreciate involving with your child to improve physical activity of both child and parent.