Childhood obesity is a serious medical condition that affects children and adolescents. Children who are obese are above the normal weight for their age and height. Childhood obesity is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once considered adult problems — diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Many obese children become obese adults, especially if one or both parents are obese. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression. In the United States, childhood obesity is all too common. There are more than 3 million cases of childhood obesity per year in the United States; however, obesity is an issue that can be both avoided and treated by making daily lifestyle changes and healthier choices. Obesity can harm nearly every system in a child’s body including their heart and lungs, muscles and bones, kidneys and digestive tract, as well as the hormones that control blood sugar and puberty. Not to mention it can take a considerable social and emotional toll on the child. Obesity increases the risk of disease and disability, including serious health issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol. Statistically, children who are overweight or obese have substantially higher odds of remaining overweight or obese into adulthood. If your child is overweight, despite your best efforts to keep them healthy, you may be wondering where you went wrong or why they’ve experienced significant weight gain. Many factors can contribute to childhood obesity, including diet, physical activity levels, environmental toxins, and genetics.
Dietary Habits
Maintaining healthy dietary habits is highly important to your child’s overall health, particularly when regarding their weight. Children who eat processed foods that are high in sugar, fat, and salt may be more likely to gain weight rapidly.
Physical activity levels
Even if your child seems active for their age, too much sitting and not enough physical movement can let the pounds creep on. One of the best ways to achieve a healthy weight in is to improve the entire family's diet and exercise habits.
Environmental toxins
Environmental toxins are cancer-causing chemicals and endocrine disruptors, both human-made and naturally occurring, that can harm our health. Research is beginning to show that certain environmental toxins found in plastics and other materials, like BPA, can change hormone levels and contribute to the physiological processes that lead to weight gain.
Genetics
Hereditary influences can also play a role in whether your child is likely to have weight problems. Genes can directly cause obesity in disorders such as Bardet-Biedl syndrome and Prader-Willi syndrome. However, genes do not always predict future health.
How is childhood obesity treated?
Dr. Grullon can help you and your child implement a number of strategies to lose weight and improve their long-term health. During the first visit, she calculates your child’s body mass index to get the appropriate weight for their height and age. Your child’s treatment plan includes dietary modifications and exercise recommendations that support energy levels and nutritional needs. One of the best ways to help your child shed some weight is to model good habits yourself, and to make sure the entire family is eating healthy and staying physically active. If your child needs medication or supplements to support overall health or weight loss needs, Dr. Grullon can prescribe these, too.
What results can my child expect from treatment?
Obesity treatment doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time for your child to learn new eating and exercise habits. As a parent, it may also take you some time to adjust. Dr. Grullon makes sure each child loses weight safely. Depending on how much weight your child needs to lose, it could take weeks or months. With healthier eating and exercise habits, your child should start to gain energy, sleep better, and have more focus and concentration at school. Dr. Grullon is committed to helping you and your child maintain healthy habits for life, so lost weight does not return, and your child feels comfortable and confident in their body.
At Healthy Happy Children Pediatrics, Dr. Ariolis Grullon helps families deal with this serious medical problem, which can hinder your child’s long-term development and well-being. With medical interventions and lifestyle strategies, Dr. Grullon can help your child get to a healthy weight. One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the eating and exercise habits of your entire family. Treating and preventing childhood obesity helps protect your child's health now and in the future. As part of regular well-child care, the doctor calculates your child's BMI and determines where it falls on the BMI-for-age growth chart. The BMI helps indicate if your child is overweight for his or her age and height.