Childhood obesity is a significant health concern characterized by excessive body fat accumulation in children and adolescents. It results from a complex interplay of genetic, behavioral, environmental, and socioeconomic factors. Obesity in childhood is typically determined by measuring body mass index (BMI), which compares a child's weight to their height. The prevalence of childhood obesity has been steadily rising globally over the past few decades, becoming one of the most pressing public health challenges of the 21st century. This trend is alarming because obesity during childhood is associated with various immediate and long-term health consequences. Physically, obese children are at a higher risk of developing numerous health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, asthma, sleep apnea, joint problems, and fatty liver disease. Psychologically, they may experience low self-esteem, depression, and social stigma, which can significantly impact their overall well-being and quality of life. The causes of childhood obesity are multifaceted. Sedentary lifestyles characterized by excessive screen time, lack of physical activity, and poor dietary habits high in calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods contribute significantly to its prevalence. Additionally, genetic predisposition, parental influences, socioeconomic status, and environmental factors such as access to healthy foods and safe outdoor spaces play crucial roles. Preventing and addressing childhood obesity require a comprehensive, multi-sectoral approach involving families, schools, healthcare providers, policymakers, and the food and beverage industry. Strategies may include promoting healthy eating habits, increasing physical activity opportunities, implementing policies to improve food environments, providing education and support to families, and fostering community-wide initiatives.

1. welcome to my study room
Today I Will Discuss About
“Childhood Obesity”

2. Introduction
• Although definition of obesity and overweight has changed over time, it
can be defined as an excess of Body Fat (BF). There is no consensus on
a cutoff point for excess fatness of overweight or obesity in children and
adolescents. Williams et al. measured skin fold thickness of 3320 children
aged 5–18 years and classified children as fat if their percentage of body
fat was at least 25% and 30% more, respectively, for males and females.
• The Center for Disease Control and Prevention defined overweight as at
or above the 95th percentile of BMI for age and "at risk for overweight" as
between 85th to 95th percentile of BMI for age . European researchers
classified overweight as at or above 85th percentile and obesity as at or
above 95th percentile of BMI.

3. Definition
• Childhood obesity is a complex disease that can occur
when your child is above a healthy weight for their age
and height.

4. Causes of child obesity
Insufficient Calorie Expenditure Through Exercise
Nowadays children spends a significant percentage of leisure
time watching TV, or playing computer games. Few calories
are expended during this sedentary activity. Not surprisingly,
obesity rates are higher among children and teenagers who
frequently watch television. In addition, only a small minority of
children (1 in 5) regularly participate in after-school sports or
extra-curricular physical activity.

5. Causes of child obesity
Excessive Snacking
Excess nibbling is a probable cause of obesity in children. Often
surrounded at school by high-calorie snack (e.g.), sugary soft
drinks, regular TV-watching exposes the child to a battery of
high-energy snack foods and drinks
Fast Food Diet
Over-consumption of fast food is another probable cause of
child/teen obesity.

6. Causes of child obesity
Family Behaviors
It's difficult to separate genetic from family-environmental factors as causes of
childhood obesity. Although children of obese parents are estimated to have a
25-30 percent extra chance of becoming obese themselves, part of this
increased risk of obesity is probably due to eating habits and poor family
nutrition, rather than heredity. Parental behavioral patterns concerning shopping,
cooking, eating and exercise, have an important influence on a child's energy
balance.
Body Image
Obesity in a child or adolescent may also be encouraged by a distorted body
image, due to peer pressure, parental influence - including attitude of parents to
weight loss and dieting.

7. Genetic causes of child obesity
• Genes affect a huge number of weight-related chemical
processes in the body. Metabolic rate, blood glucose
metabolism, fat-storage, hormones to name but a few, are all
influenced by our genetic inheritance. Also, some studies of
adopted children indicate that adopted children tend to
develop weight problems similar to their biological, rather
than adoptive, parents.

8. Prevention & treatment
• Childhood obesity treatment — and prevention — begins at
home. One should change unhealthy behaviors and create a
healthy-weight environment for the entire family.
• Childhood obesity is usually caused by eating too much and
exercising too little. The solution is eating healthier foods and
increasing physical activity, but it'll be tough for the child to
do it alone. The most effective way to treat — and prevent —
childhood obesity is to adopt healthier habits for the entire
family.

9. Healthy eating
1) Parents are the ones who buy the food, cook the food and decide
where the food is eaten. Even small changes can make a big
difference in the child's health.
2) When buying groceries, choose fruits and vegetables over
convenience foods high in sugar and fat. Always have healthy
snacks available. And never use food as a reward or punishment.
3) Limit sweetened beverages, including those containing fruit juice.
These drinks provide little nutritional value in exchange for their
high calories. They also can make the child feel too full to eat
healthier foods.

10. Healthy eating
4) Sit down together for family meals. Make it an event —
a time to share news and tell stories. Discourage eating in
front of a screen, such as a television, computer or video
game. This leads to fast eating and lowered awareness of
how much you're eating.
5) Limit the number of times you eat out, especially at
fast-food restaurants.

11. Physical activity
• A critical component of weight loss, especially for children, is
physical activity. It not only burns calories but also builds
strong bones and muscles and helps children sleep well at
night and stay alert during the day. Such habits established
in childhood help adolescents maintain healthy weight
despite the hormonal changes, rapid growth and social
influences that often lead to overeating. And active children
are more likely to become fit adults.

12. To increase the child's activity level
Limit recreational screen time to fewer than two hours a day.
A sure way to increase the child's activity levels is to limit the
number of hours he or she is allowed to watch television each
day. Other sedentary activities — playing video and computer
games or talking on the phone — also should be limited.
Emphasize activity, not exercise. The child's activity doesn't
have to be a structured exercise program — the object is just to
get him or her moving. Free-play activities, such as playing hide-
and-seek, tag or jump-rope, can be great for burning calories and
improving fitness.

13. To increase the child's activity level
• Find activities the child likes to do. For instance, if the child is
artistically inclined, go on a nature hike to collect leaves and rocks that
the child can use to make something. If the child likes to climb, head for
the nearest neighborhood or climbing wall. If the child likes to read, then
walk or bike to the neighborhood library for a book.
• If you want an active child, be active yourself. Find fun activities that
the whole family can do together. Never make exercise seem a
punishment or a chore.
• Vary the activities. Let each child take a turn choosing the activity of the
day or week. Batting practice, bowling and swimming all count. What
matters is that you're doing something

14. Medications
• Two prescription weight-loss drugs are available for adolescents: sibutramine
(Meridia) and orlistat (Xenical). Sibutramine, which is approved for adolescents
older than 16, alters the brain's chemistry to make the body feel fuller more
quickly. Orlistat, which is approved for adolescents older than 12, prevents the
absorption of fat in the intestines.
• The Food and Drug Administration has approved a reduced-strength over-the-
counter (nonprescription) version of orlistat (Alli). Though readily available in
pharmacies and drugstores, Alli is not approved for children or teenagers under
age 18.
• Prescription medication isn't often advisable for adolescents. The risks of taking
the medications long term are still unknown, and their effect on weight loss and
weight maintenance for adolescents is still questioned. And, once again, weight-
loss drugs don't replace the need to adopt a healthy diet and exercise regimen.

15. Weight-loss surgery
• Weight-loss surgery can be a safe and effective option for
some severely obese adolescents who have been unable to
lose weight using conventional weight-loss methods.
However, as with any type of surgery, there are potential
risks and long-term complications. Also, the long-term effects
of weight-loss surgery on a child's future growth and
development are largely unknown.

16. Consequences of childhood obesity
Impact on the child
Cardiovascular risk factors, metabolic and endocrine Complications.
Cohort and case control studies provide good evidence of an association
between childhood obesity and cardiovascular and other risk factors. The
at-risk population is large and is increasing, as illustrated by the “obesity
epidemic” in the USA and the subsequent increase in the prevalence of
adolescent type 2 diabetes. Although studies contain little direct evidence
regarding the benefit of intervention and/or prevention, most infer that early
intervention and/or prevention would be beneficial.

17. Several cardiovascular risk factors have
been shown to be associated with
childhood obesity
Increased blood pressure
Adverse lipid profiles
Adverse changes in left ventricular mass
Hyper insulinaemia.

18. Psychological consequences
• Obese children are more likely to show evidence of
psychological distress than are non-obese children and the
effect is greater for girls than boys. Obesity in childhood and
adolescence is also associated with poor self esteem, being
perceived as unattractive, depression, disordered eating
bulimia and body dissatisfaction. Psychosocial distress and
psychiatric disorders in children may be more associated
with parental psychological/psychiatric problems than the
child’s own BMI, age or sex.

19. Other medical consequences
The risk of developing asthma and the exacerbation of pre-
existing asthma,
Abnormalities of foot structure and function
Increased risk of type 1 diabetes

20. Impact on the adult
Cardiovascular risk factors
 Long term morbidity
 Socio economic association