Overcoming Childhood Obesity

What makes a child obese? Research has shown that genetics, behavior and environment were found to be the three main factors that determine obesity in childhood.

Pediatrician Jean Jaucian-Poblete says that while genetics plays an important role in determining obesity, but so do the food eaten and the amount of energy expended that translates to the child’s amount of physical activity. She notes that parents and even their child’s caregivers , play an important role in improving their children’s eating habits and physical activities. Parents are the child’s food providers and really influence the child’s eating patterns. kids spend a great deal with their caregivers, so there is a need to monitor their caregiver’s eating patterns as their is a great possibility their children will imbibe on them.

Another point that attributes to the growth of obesity is the lack of physical activity. Parents could engage the children in outdoor activities or by giving them active chores to perform like washing dishes or cleaning their rooms. These activities could shorten their long hours watching television or playing computer video games which are sedentary by nature.

Addressing the physical aspects of obesity is only one part. The other half has to do with providing the child with psychosocial support as well. Another study reveals that obese children ranked lowest among those whom other children wanted to befriend.

Overcoming childhood obesity is a family affair and the success of transforming young ones from being obese to a fit and healthy adult falls on both the parent and the child’s shoulders.