Obese children are a health problem that parents should not ignore.

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Many parents think that being overweight or obese is a good thing and that it makes their children look cute and chubby. However, the truth is that if children are overweight or obese, it can have negative health effects. Children who are overweight may have bow legs, slow movement, respiratory problems that affect sleep, and may lead to type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Childhood obesity is often caused by improper eating habits and sedentary lifestyles. According to data from the สมัครสมาชิก UFABET วันนี้ รับเครดิตฟรีทุกวัน Health, children aged 6–14 years are overweight and obesity has increased from 11.7 percent in 2018 to 12.4 percent in 2024. 

What causes children to be obese? What are the effects on health?

Childhood obesity can be the result of genetics, hormonal changes, lifestyle habits, and other factors, such as: 

  • Improper eating behaviors mostly contain high levels of starch, fat and sugar, such as fast food, ready-to-eat food, frozen food,  soft drinks, sweet drinks and desserts, as well as eating too much food, giving sweets as rewards and giving children snacks between meals.
  • When children are not physically active, such as children addicted to games, mobile phones, and television, or do not run and exercise according to their age.
  • Boredom and stress from family and school, which can lead children to overeat or eat unhealthy foods.
  • Use of certain medications, such as prednisone, lithium, and gabapentin  . 

Obese children can suffer from a variety of health problems, most commonly respiratory problems, sleep apnea , which can lead to insufficient sleep and affect a child’s learning, joint pain, slowed movement, and difficulty performing daily activities.

What’s wrong with being a fat child?

Children with obesity and pre-existing obesity are often stigmatized (Weight Stigma), causing stress and embarrassment, lacking confidence in learning and doing activities, affecting the body, mind, society and consciousness. Children with obesity and pre-existing obesity tend to be obese when they grow up, and are at risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCDs), such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular disease, cancer, etc.

Advice for parents

Parents should pay attention to their children’s health, promote good health behaviors, eat nutritious food, and promote physical activities to prevent obesity. There are various methods as follows:

  • Encourage children to run, play and exercise, such as cycling, jumping rope, and doing housework.
  • Do family activities together to reduce time spent online.
  • Provide a variety of foods from all five food groups. Reduce the intake of sweet, fatty, and salty foods. Avoid processed meats such as sausages, Chinese sausages, meatballs, and ready-to-eat frozen foods.
  • Control your intake of crunchy snacks, sweet drinks, soda, bubble tea, and prepare plain milk and fruits in the refrigerator instead.
  • Inculcate the habit of eating vegetables and fruits and drinking enough clean water, 6-8 glasses, every day.
  • Teaching how to read nutrition labels or the Healthier Choice symbol on packaging can help children make healthier snack choices.
  • Avoid giving your child large meals or buying snacks in oversized packages, as serving size plays a major role in weight gain.
  • Encourage children to go to bed and wake up at regular times and get enough sleep, 9-11 hours a day.