Weight

Main Causes of Obesity in Children

Childhood obesity has reached epidemic levels in the developed world, with over 30% of children in the U.S. being classified as overweight or obese. Although children have fewer weight-related health conditions than adults do, overweight kids are more likely to stay overweight into adulthood – thereby putting them at risk of developing chronic health conditions, such as heart disease and diabetes.

Children can become overweight for a number of reasons. Although it can sometimes result from a medical condition, there is growing evidence to suggest that external factors, such as lifestyle and parental behavioral characteristics, can lead to unhealthy eating patterns and a lack of exercise in children. These invariably play a significant part in childhood obesity.

Let’s talk about some of these factors and how they can contribute to an overweight child:

Lack of Physical Activity in Children

Obesity often results from an imbalance between the food that we eat (the energy intake) and our level of physical activity (our energy expenditure). If we consume more calories than we need for our level of physical activity, then this may cause us to gain weight.

People with a sedentary lifestyle require far fewer calories than do those who are very physically active. In recent years, video-viewing, gaming, and the use of electronic devices among children has increased dramatically – naturally leading to a significant reduction in exercise and an increase in obesity.

There has also been a decline in physical activity among children due to concerns about safety. Whereas in previous years children rode their bikes all around and played in the street with their friends, this has become less frequent particularly due to increased concerns about child predators. This means that parents are now more likely to drive their children everywhere and to give them fewer opportunities to get out and just have fun.

High-Fat, High-Carbohydrate, Low-Protein Diet

Nowadays, families rely heavily on convenience, which can influence meals. Busy family life and work-related demands can mean parents have less time and energy to prepare healthy meals for their families; fast food is often an inexpensive and convenient option. However, fast food often contains higher levels of calories, fat, and carbohydrates, and lower levels of essential nutrients and protein – which is a combination that can easily cause weight gain.

Children often copy their parents’ and peers’ food preferences, which can have an impact on their diet and nutrition. If a child is repeatedly exposed to (and provided with) healthy food choices from an early age, they are more likely to maintain a healthier diet. For example, offer them almonds and dried banana slices rather than corn-based chips – and enjoy the snack along with them to reinforce the positive nutritional behavior.

Eating Behaviors and Snacking

Mealtime structures can also affect diet and nutrition. Studies have shown that eating out or eating meals in front of the TV is associated with consuming a higher intake of calories and fat, as compared to families who eat together around the table at dinnertime.

Unhealthy snack choices can also be a contributing factor to the rise in childhood obesity. Advertising for unhealthy foods such as sugary cereals, fattening snacks, and sweetened drinks is believed to have a significant impact on a child’s diet, encouraging the consumption of unhealthy, fattening foods, resulting in weight gain and unhealthy eating habits.

Genetic Factors and Family Lifestyle

Although genetic factors – such as a low metabolism – may play a role in childhood obesity, it is generally believed to be more of a contributing factor alongside behavioral factors rather than a sole cause of obesity itself.

Family behavioral tendencies can also have an influence on weight gain in children. For example, physically active parents are more likely to encourage their children to take part in regular exercise.

Family Nutrition in Wellington and Royal Palm Beach

If you have concerns about your child’s weight, the friendly medical team at Advanced Medical Clinic is here for you. Our pediatric nutrition services are designed to address many healthy eating concerns, including childhood obesity, diabetes (type 1 and type 2 diabetes), eating disorders, maternity health, and proper nutrition for healthy living.

For more information about our pediatric healthcare services or to schedule an appointment, contact us today by calling our friendly staff at (561) 434-1935 or by filling out our appointment request form online now. We look forward to helping your whole family enjoy a healthy lifestyle!

Does My Weight Increase the Risk for Heart Disease?

As modern and advanced as we think the United States is, it may still come as a surprise to some that obesity is a very real and present epidemic. In fact, 35 percent of adults and 17 percent of children and adolescents are considered overweight to the point of being obese. And this number continues to grow! Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of how much body fat someone has, determined by looking at their weight and height. If your BMI is over 35, then you are considered obese. This epidemic is severe, and it is important for people to know that being obese poses a detrimental threat to their overall health. Many people who are obese also exhibit risk factors such as high blood pressure (hypertension), high cholesterol, and conditions such as diabetes, obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), stroke, and the number one cause of death – cardiovascular disease, also known as heart disease.

Heart disease is the number one cause of death around the world. Some of the most common forms are coronary heart disease (coronary artery disease), arrhythmia (abnormal heart beat), and congenital heart disease. So, does increased body weight contribute to an increased risk for heart disease?

Research has shown that being obese has been directly linked to heart failure and increased mortality rate, as a result of its correlation with the various types of heart diseases. Due to a decrease in blood flow to the heart muscle, the heart cannot pump blood as efficiently and effectively as it should.

So, to answer the question – yes, your weight does increase the risk for heart failure due to cardiovascular diseases. There are several ways obesity and cardiovascular disease are related, depending on the particular disease and the severity of how overweight or obese someone is. Coronary artery disease (CAD), where the arteries of the heart and its blood flow become blocked due to plaque build-up, is the leading cause of myocardial infarction, resulting in chest pain (angina), and possible death if left untreated.

After accounting for the risk factors generally associated with heart disease and obesity, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol, a study done in the Journal of the American Heart Association investigated the role of severe obesity and the development of heart conditions such as coronary heart disease, stroke and heart failure. While obesity has been a known risk factor for developing heart disease, results showed that severe obesity is in fact, its own independent risk factor for heart failure.

A team at John Hopkins University conducted a study with participants who were morbidly obese, and were found to be twice as likely to develop heart failure, comparable to the people with a healthy body mass index, and not considered obese. Obesity is an independent risk factor for heart failure. Someone with a BMI over 35 and diagnosed as obese is at risk for getting some form of heart disease. This study proved that these people who were morbidly obese were more likely than those of normal weight to have a stroke or coronary heart disease. Yes, obesity alone leaves a person at a significantly higher risk for heart failure, whether or not they have hypertension or diabetes. Even if patients have normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels, they are still at risk for heart failure if they are obese or overweight.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says almost six million people in the United States live with heart failure, so family medicine providers have noticed that there needs to be an improvement in educating patients, and people in general of the risk factors, and ways to keep their heart healthy, in order to better help prevent heart failure, and decrease the number of deaths. This includes eating a heart healthy diet, and making an effort to have regular exercise or activity.

Well, research studies are one thing, and real life is another. If you are overweight, you generally know that there is a healthier you that you can attain to be. You should also know that it’s important to speak with your healthcare professional about whether you might be more at risk for heart disease. To learn more about how your weight can be an indicator that you are at risk for heart disease, call Advanced Medical at (561) 434-1935, or you can request an appointment online.