A Guide To Child Obesity Research
Over past few years, childhood obesity for preschool children and adolescents has doubled and tripled for the children in the age group of 6-11 years. The epidemic of childhood obesity requires attention, but action has to be based on the evidence, which we lack as of now. Appropriate health interventions cannot be based on hype and exaggeration.
In response to the public health crisis, many health and human development institutions are setting up centres for child obesity research. Priority of these centres is to conduct research that will provide a base for developing successful childhood obesity prevention programs. Child obesity research will also suggest the changes at multiple levels in the society, from a family unit to the entire community at large. The suggested interventions will provide support to individuals, schools, families, communities and health care providers to make the necessary changes that will foster healthy eating and increased levels of physical activity among children and adolescents. These changes will help reduce the risks associated with childhood obesity, and will promote age-appropriate growth and development.
Some Statistics Based On Child Obesity Research
A study involving 5,500 children used accurate methods that measured fat mass of the children, and their amount of physical activity. The researchers concluded that low levels of activity play an important role in gradual development of obesity.
Though is it obvious that obese kids have been doing less physical activity, body fat and energy expenditure are hard to measure accurately. It was hence not clear till now if eating too much or doing too little is most responsible for obesity epidemic.
Results of child obesity research also showed that fat mass was higher for the children with lower level of activity, and the effect was more predominant in boys than in girls.
Child obesity research indicates that prevalence of obesity is strongly related to age. Males and females in the age group of 16-24 are at lesser risk of becoming obese as compared to older age groups.
Child Obesity Treatment
For growing children, it is important to stabilize their weight, and allow them to grow into their weight. Obese children must go thorough complete medical evaluation by a paediatrician to assess diet, exercise and family history. Doctors first check the biochemical and genetic disorders related to the obesity such as Prader-Willi Syndrome or other such genetic disorders
Most effective way to treat obesity is to encourage kids to eat healthy diets and engage them in more physical activity. In some cases, medications or surgery might be necessary, depending on the extent of obesity.
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