5 facts about obesity

5 facts about obesity

1. Excess body weight in childhood has lasting effects!
   Long-term studies on the impact of obesity on children's health throughout their development and into adulthood have been conducted and continue in the United States. Researchers have found that children who are overweight or obese in preschool and early school years are more likely to have obesity in adolescence: about 35% of overweight children remain so in high school.
   
   Additionally, 87% of children with excessive body weight due to poor nutrition and lack of activity have not changed their habits, lifestyle, or nutrition as adults. As a result, a significant number of adults with excess weight were overweight as children.
2. Obesity is a disease!
   Obesity is not just a cosmetic or aesthetic issue—it's a real disease! If you look at ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases, 10th revision) in section E65-E68 "Obesity and other forms of hyperalimentation," you'll see it's recognized as such.
   
   In childhood, the main causes of excess body fat are overeating and a sedentary lifestyle. While heredity and certain diseases also play a role, the percentage of children with obesity due to pathological reasons is much smaller. That's why the WHO and medical community consider obesity caused by overeating and inactivity a disease that requires medical attention.
    

   Advice:
   You can find out whether your child’s lifestyle meets experts’ recommendations right now by taking our unique Parenting Mentor Test. The results will show if there are issues in how you manage your child’s diet and activity, and you’ll receive personalized advice and recommendations to help you address them.

3. Obesity can shatter dreams!
   Does your son dream of becoming a cadet or a professional soldier? Make sure he meets the requirements early on. Studies show that 27% of young people aspiring to military careers fail to qualify due to excessive body weight.
   
   In other words, one in three young men sees his military ambitions dashed because of obesity! Even if someone loses weight and joins the army, statistics show that later, 16% of military personnel struggle with excess weight, affecting their performance.
   
   Obese girls are also more likely to face challenges at school and as adults. Research led by Amelia Branigan, a visiting assistant professor of sociology at UIC, found that girls with excess weight often receive lower grades than they deserve and are more likely to be bullied. The International Journal of Obesity reports that obese women face hiring discrimination and typically earn less than their colleagues without this issue.
4. Healthy nutrition is crucial in preventing childhood obesity
   Eating right can be simple. It’s important for the whole family to adopt healthy eating habits so children become accustomed to a diet that meets all their nutritional needs without leading to fat accumulation. Simply telling a child "Eat well!" and ignoring the issue isn't effective. Since children and teens need external motivation and guidance, it’s essential that they see their family embracing a healthy lifestyle.
   
   To maintain a healthy weight, you should:
   
   • Limit intake of fatty foods.
   
   • Reduce consumption of saturated fats, and instead choose unsaturated fats found in vegetables, vegetable oils, fish, nuts, and seeds. Both mono- and polyunsaturated fats are better absorbed by the body and help reduce body weight.
   
   • Eat more fruits, vegetables, legumes, cereals, and nuts. These make excellent snacks or breakfast options.
   
   • Consume less sugar and sugary foods.
   
   • Limit your salt intake.
5. Encouraging children to be active protects them from future health risks
   Physical activity requires energy, which the body gets from food. Lack of movement and physical inactivity (hypodynamia) are significant contributors to weight gain and obesity. Hypodynamia is currently the fourth leading cause of increased mortality worldwide.