What Causes the Risk of Obesity in Young Children?

Expert Dietitian Aslıhan Küçük Budak gave information about the subject. Obesity, which is defined as one of the most important public health problems by the World Health Organization, shows a great increase in childhood all over the world. A large proportion of obese children continue their lives as obese adults and become prone to health problems such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases caused by obesity. Although genetic factors are also effective in the development of obesity in children, the share of lifestyle with wrong habits is much larger. So what are these wrong habits that make our children obese?

sedentary life

Changing living conditions and city life push children to lead a sedentary life. As a result of children's lack of space to move freely, the loss of their habit of walking from one place to another with the increase in transportation opportunities, and the fact that they spend too much time with technological devices such as television, tablet and computer, their daily physical activities are highly restricted and the risk of becoming obese increases. One of the most effective steps you can take to solve or prevent the obesity problem will be to direct your child to a sport that he or she can enjoy.

wrong eating habits

One of the most important culprits of obesity is a diet that is high in fat and sugar and poor in nutrient content. Due to the advertisements, attractive packaging, additives used, and the perception of taste created by foods containing high amounts of sugar and fat, a large part of children frequently consume processed foods such as chips, crackers and cakes. Instead of these, offering healthy snacks that you make at home to your child may contribute to reducing the consumption of these foods. At the same time, many studies have found a relationship between sugary beverage consumption and childhood obesity. Drinking beverages such as water, ayran and milk should be encouraged instead of beverages containing high sugar and calories such as ready-made fruit juices, cola, soda, and chocolate milk.

Lack of a suitable role model

Your child takes your diet as an example, as well as any behavior you exhibit. Children whose parents constantly consume fast food, do not eat fruits and vegetables, and make sugary drinks addictive also acquire wrong eating habits. If you do not want your child to be obese; You should make room in your kitchen for fresh vegetables and fruits, healthy protein sources such as eggs, fish and chicken, whole grains such as brown rice, whole wheat pasta and whole grain bread, calcium sources such as milk and yogurt, take time to prepare healthy meals and sit at the table as a family.

Insomnia

Inability to establish sleep patterns in children may also be one of the causes of obesity. Adequate sleep causes an increase in the hormone leptin, which signals satiety, and a decrease in the hormone ghrelin, which signals hunger. Make sure your child sleeps 6-12 hours if they are between the ages of 9-12 and 13-18 hours if they are between the ages of 8-10.