Childhood obesity: the ugly face of these worldwide problemChildhood obesity has raised concerned all over the world. There are some good things going on trying to prevent it or control it, but the ugly face is there: Extreme Pediatric Obesity Prevalence may now be equal or greater than in adults! So...Can we do something about it? We have to! Fail in diagnosis?Based in information to be published in the Journal of Pediatrics by July 2010, let me share the point of view of what ugly would mean for a problem of obesity in the youngest: Thomas Inge and Stavra Xanthakos in Obesity at the Extremes: The Eyes Only See What The Mind Is Prepared To Comprehend, they also address that prevalence of obesity is high (about 16%) but only 1/3 are diagnosed by the pediatricians. Why? Possible answers are: 1) Reluctance to label infants as: Obese. What you think, if you have a child, would you want the clinician to diagnose early even though it could be difficult to listen to the ugly word? 2) Delay diagnosis in the hope that children will outgrow their baby fat sometime. Is this a responsible action? 3) Parents not receptive to the discussion. Mmm... Big issue here! 5) Many providers feel they cannot make a substantial impact on the treatment in the office. Maybe, but I think they're first line of attention and need to begin impact with education.
Big concerns: the high risks for the years to come.The study, took data from 700,000 children and teens aged between 2 and 19 years of age, and with extreme obesity 6.4% were found, meaning having a bmi (body mass index) of more than 35 Kg/m2. A high prevalence of obesity was observed among this group, finding 11% of Hispanic boys and 12% of Colour Girls. Are they eating something different? Are there genetic factors amongst this kids? What other questions come to your mind? Childhood obesity rises considerable concerns such as: + For kids that develop type 2 diabetes, mortality risk is doubled in adulthood. + Children and teens with obesity, have a higher risk of end-stage renal disease (if diabetic). + There is a risk equivalent to 73% for premature death (before 55 years). What means, living short and unhealthy. + A bmi index in the highest quartile (more than 40 Kg/m2), doubles the risk for premature mortality. + Many other subtle signs of metabolic distress are linked to pediatric obesity. Also, in another article which relates overweight in infants with delayed motor development, Meghan Slining and co-workers found that motor delay was 1.8 times as likely in overweight kids vs. non overweight infants and 2.32 times in infants with higher subcutaneous fat. Which would mean that not only obesity and overweight could affect metabolically but mechanically as well. So...As it says in the article, the ugly face of childhood obesity is: -Children will acquire "pound years" but will pay in higher risks of adverse health and less life expectancy. Treatment measures: Are they enough?There are different approaches for treatment, though they're more after diagnosis than real preventive measures. Some are: + Weight management interventions.- (like approaches by the nutritionist, other healthcare professionals, etc.). + Behavioural interventions.- By the psychologist, or other therapists. + Medication interventions.- Generally with Orlistat or Sibutramine (the last one now suspended by the European Medicines Agency due to its cardiovascular risks). + Surgery interventions.- Bariatric Surgery (only for very specific cases when obesity is extreme. But there are high costs, is invasive and not without risk). Besides the actual approaches, which have given some results but not the desired ones, I believe new programs against childhood obesity, more preventive and educational will produce higher and better results to help combat the problem and its ugly face: the unhealthy truth. But again, always begin educating yourself and play example with your kids. Stay physically active, eat balanced and follow a healthy lifestyle, its for you, and for them. Childhood obesity: the good One of the things that call atention to parents about nutrition is how to read food labels Return to Lifetime Fitness Nutrition Homepage New! CommentsHave your say about what you just read! Leave me a comment in the box below. |
