Obesity in children - why does it develop and what are the stages of pathology?

Causes of obesity in children

Excessive formation of adipose tissue against the background of chronic disruptions in metabolic processes is called obesity in medicine. Its ICD 10 code is E66. The disease has a polyetiological nature, that is, childhood obesity has a variety of causes - a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

But regardless of what causes the pathological disorder, it is based on an imbalance of energies. It occurs when many more calories are consumed than are expended.

Heredity plays a significant role in the development of the disease.

Indicator of the likelihood of obesity in a child:

• 80% – if both parents have weight problems;
• 50% – if only the mother is overweight;
• 38% – if only the father suffers from extra pounds.

At risk are newborns with a body weight exceeding 4 kg, as well as bottle-fed infants who experience significant weight gain. The cause of the problem of childhood obesity in infancy is the use of high-calorie formulas in large quantities and non-compliance with the rules for introducing complementary foods.

In most cases, a preschool child becomes overweight due to an unbalanced diet and the absence or low level of physical activity. Obese children usually eat foods with fast carbohydrates and animal fats, and quench their thirst with sugary drinks. At the same time, fiber and protein enter the body in very limited quantities.

In 10-year-old boys, obesity often occurs due to prolonged exposure to computer monitors and skipping physical education classes.

Also, obesity appears due to a busy school curriculum, which provokes severe stress in schoolchildren.

The causes of obesity in children and adolescents are often various diseases:

• genetic syndromes (Down, Cohen);
• disruptions in the functioning of the endocrine glands (hypothyroidism, Itsenko-Cushing's disease, ovarian pathologies in girls);
• CNS disorders (brain tumors, meningitis, encephalitis).

Sometimes the problem of obesity is observed in children who experience severe stress associated with an accident, entering first grade, or the death of someone close to them.

If we talk about the forms of obesity in children, then, taking into account the provoking factors, the disease can be of a primary and secondary nature.

How to deal with excess weight in teenagers?

The key to achieving and maintaining a healthy weight is lifestyle changes that include healthy eating, regular physical activity, and balancing the number of calories you eat with the number you burn. A healthy lifestyle should become a habit that should be adopted for life. It is important that parents model a healthy lifestyle for their children. If the cause of excess weight is associated with any diseases, then consult your doctor.

Here are some tips on how to reduce excess weight in teenagers:

1. Exercises. Regular daily physical activity burns calories and strengthens muscles. Exercise will help you look and feel attractive and help you maintain a healthy weight. Walking the dog, soccer, cycling, swimming, dancing or karate will increase your daily activity level. Help your teen find something they enjoy, something that gets them moving. There are school sports sections, gyms, swimming pools and other sports facilities in every city. You can visit them with your whole family. Many of these events are free. It will be great if a teenager takes up some kind of sport, for example, running, walking, swimming, tennis, etc.
2. Reduce your time watching TV and sitting at the computer. The maximum rest time near the screen is 2 hours a day. If your teen goes to the mall with friends, he or she will burn more calories than playing video games.
3. Monitor the quality and quantity of food consumed. Large calorie portions of food contribute to the development of obesity. Another key factor in weight gain is sugary drinks: soda, juice, sports drinks, energy drinks and fast food. You need to drink a lot of water (about 1.5 liters per day) and eat more vegetables, whole grains (no white bread!) and fruits. Vegetables should make up the majority of the diet. Fruits and vegetables are rich in vitamins, minerals and fiber. Bring a packed lunch of fruit, sandwiches with brown bread and juice to school. This way, parents can reduce the consumption of excess calories so that teenagers do not eat fast food at eateries.
4. Don't skip breakfast. Your metabolism and calorie burning starts with breakfast. It gives energy for the whole day. Children who skip breakfast feel so hungry that they eat a lot throughout the day.

Can a teenager go on a diet to lose weight?
No, you must consult your doctor first. Teens need to get enough calories and nutrients to grow healthy. Children grow at different rates, sometimes it is difficult to tell if a child actually has a weight problem. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about your teen's weight gain.

Symptoms and degrees of obesity

Clinical manifestations of the disease depend on the age category, since each stage of a child’s life is accompanied by certain changes in the body.

In the preschool years (up to 6 years), due to excess body weight, the following occur:

• allergic reactions;
• dysbacteriosis;
• constipation

Younger schoolchildren (from 6-7 years to 10-11) suffer from:

• increased blood pressure;
• increased sweating;
• shortness of breath during physical activity and even during normal walking.

Adolescent obesity is a disorder with:

• rapid fatigue;
• frequent headaches;
• dizziness;
• swelling of the lower extremities;
• joint pain;
• depressive state.

Girls have problems with the menstrual cycle (dysmenorrhea, amenorrhea). Symptoms such as acne, excess hair growth, and irregular menstruation may indicate polycystic ovary syndrome.

If excess weight is accompanied by painful enlargement of the mammary glands, headaches and severe discomfort during menstruation, the presence of a benign pituitary tumor cannot be ruled out.

Special mention should be made of the critical periods when childhood obesity becomes most likely.

The risk of a child becoming fat increases at the highest age:

• from 1 to 3 years;
• from 5 to 7 years;
• from 12 to 16 years.

To determine the degree of obesity in children, it is necessary to know how much weight exceeds the established norm for age:

• if the body weight value is 15-24% higher, the pathology is at stage 1;
• a difference of 25-49% is the second stage, from which both a toddler and an 8-year-old student can suffer;
• obesity of the 3rd degree is diagnosed when the weight in children exceeds the norm by 50-99%;
• Stage 4 obesity is an extremely dangerous condition in which the child weighs at least 100% more than normal.

Body mass index (BMI) is an indicator that can also be used to determine the stage of development of the disease. It is necessary to divide body weight in kilograms by height in meters squared (m/h2).

The table will help you understand how dangerous the situation is:

Obesity of 1st and 2nd degree is often diagnosed, which is primary in children.

Table of norms for weight and height of children under 17 years of age

The World Health Organization (WHO) has established standards for body weight and height in childhood until the age of 17. Some differences in performance between girls and boys should be noted.

This is explained by the existence of certain physiological characteristics.

To check the table, you must correctly measure the child's height. He should stand straight against the wall, not slouching, with his feet tightly together. Only the shoulder blades, buttocks and heels are in contact with the wall. The head must be held so that the edge of the lower eyelid and the upper part of the auricle are on the same horizontal plane.

Treatment of obesity in children

Before treating a child for obesity, the doctor collects a medical history, finds out why the extra pounds appeared, how the patient eats and what level of physical activity he has. Also, the task of diagnosing obesity in children is to conduct anthropometry, biochemical blood tests, hormone tests, ultrasound, and MRI of the pituitary gland.

If childhood obesity is present, the goal of treatment is to:

• normalization of body weight;
• elimination of pathologies arising from obesity;
• consolidating the results obtained and preventing relapses.

The fight against excess fat accumulation is carried out with the help of diet therapy, adequate physical activity and medications.

But if the child remains overweight and it is not possible to combat it with traditional methods, surgical intervention is recommended.

Typically, such a decision becomes relevant in the final stages, since even with third-degree pathology, not only the health, but also the life of the patient is at risk.

Nutrition

It will not be possible to get rid of obesity without revising your diet. A diet for obesity in children must be followed in order to stop further formation of adipose tissue and accelerate the elimination of excessive fat reserves.

Features of diet therapy for childhood obesity:

• the child needs to eat small portions 6-7 times a day;
• There should be 3-hour intervals between meals;
• high-calorie dishes will be included in the menu in the first half of the day;
• food can be boiled, stewed or steamed.

It is useful for obese children to follow diet No. 8 according to Pevzner. The scientist has developed many types of nutrition systems that take into account the stage of pathology. The mentioned system is the main one in the appearance of excess body weight.

The higher the completeness index, the more strict the diet will be.

The menu for children may consist of:

• bread – bran and whole grain flour;
• fermented milk products with low fat content;
• soups with minimal potato content;
• lean varieties of fish and meat;
• cereals – barley, buckwheat, millet;
• vegetables, unsweetened fruits and berries.

To replenish the need for fluid, it is allowed to consume compotes, fruit drinks, tea, fresh fruit and vegetable juices, and uzvars. The main thing is the absence of sugar. Naturally, you need to drink plain water.

A diet for obese children should include a variety of foods. You cannot completely give up food or use mono-diets.

There are various healthy food recipes, for example:

1. Chopped beef (150 g) is mixed with rice (1 tbsp.). The mixture is passed through a meat grinder, after which a boiled egg (1/4) and butter (5 g) are added. Small balls are made from the mass, placed in a frying pan, lightly greased with oil, and filled with water. Boiling time – 10 minutes.
2. Sliced ​​tomatoes are simmered in vegetable oil (5 g), filled with eggs (2 pcs.) and placed in the oven.

The energy value of food depends on the age of the child: from 5 to 8 years old, 2000-2400 kcal should be supplied, from 8 to 12-13 years old, the figure rises to 2800 kcal, and teenagers need about 3000 kcal per day.

Physical exercise

In the treatment of obesity in children and adolescents, systematic physical activity plays an important role. Kids should take walks and play outdoor games more often. 4-5 year olds can be sent to sports sections and enrolled in a swimming pool. The attending physician will help you choose a set of exercises for schoolchildren.

An excellent way to eliminate obesity in a child is massage sessions, however, they are contraindicated for heart disease.

Drug treatment

Most medications used against obesity should not be given to children.

In special cases, it is possible to use:

• Orlistat (from 12 years old);
• Metformin (from 10 years of age for non-insulin-dependent diabetes).

If obesity is present in adolescents, homeopathic remedies may be prescribed.

Oh, these hormones - why do teenagers gain weight?

Every day the problem of excess weight is receiving more and more attention. Obesity is a chronic disease that can pose a threat not only to the health, but also to the life of a child. During adolescence, a teenager’s weight can rise sharply, but is it worth worrying about this and what needs to be done?

Causes of weight gain in teenagers

The nervous system of a teenager and an adult is significantly different. At the age of 12-14 years, the activity of the sympatho-adrenal system significantly increases, which is accompanied by the body’s adaptation to all future changes. Simply put, the body seems to be preparing for significant energy costs and is trying to accumulate the necessary energy for future use.

Due to hormonal imbalance, a teenager may experience increased appetite, decreased physical activity, and sleep disturbances. Excess hormones provoke uncontrollable cravings for food, both high-calorie and harmful. This can also occur before a sharp growth spurt, in which case the acquired weight will quickly go away. If weight is gained rapidly and constantly, then this is the first alarming sign of the disease and it is necessary to urgently take appropriate measures.

Heredity is the main reason for weight gain in teenagers

It's no secret that obesity can be inherited. In this case, from birth it is necessary to pay attention to the diet, exclude junk food and devote time to exercise. It is very easy to gain excess weight, but it is difficult to get rid of it. Therefore, if you know about your predisposition to obesity, take appropriate measures on time.

In addition to all the above reasons, adolescence is a constant experience, shocks, stress and emotional disorders. In this regard, your appetite may also increase, and this will lead to weight gain.

How to prevent uncontrolled weight gain during adolescence?

It is possible to prevent excess weight gain during adolescence. To do this, you need to follow simple recommendations:

• maintain a balanced diet;
• be sure to have breakfast;
• eat as many fruits and vegetables as possible;
• do not ignore protein foods;
• lead a healthy lifestyle;
• exercise.

The most important thing is to know moderation in everything - don’t get carried away with popular diets and sit in the gym for days. Also remember that before going on any diet, even the most harmless one at first glance, you need to consult a specialist.

How dangerous is the disease?

Metabolic disorders can lead to the most unpredictable consequences. Therefore, parents must know what obesity leads to.

It may turn out to be:

• weakened immunity;
• disruptions in the cardiovascular system;
• damage to the osteoarticular apparatus;
• diabetes mellitus;
• gastrointestinal pathologies;
• disorders of sexual development.

Common consequences and complications of obesity during puberty are underdevelopment of the genital organs and menstrual irregularities.

Obese children are often depressed. Many teenage girls often go on hunger strikes and become withdrawn because of this problem.

Therefore, when the first signs of pathology appear, you should begin to eliminate them, otherwise the symptoms will worsen over time.

Consequences of excess weight and obesity

1. Obese teenagers are usually sedentary and lack self-confidence, often prone to emotional conflicts. All this impairs the activity of the central nervous system;
2. In such children, muscle development is slowed down - the muscles of the abdominal wall are especially weak, hence the preconditions for a number of disorders in the functions of the gastrointestinal organs;
3. Changes also occur in the joints of the lower extremities (hip, knee, ankle), since excess weight is an additional load on the musculoskeletal system;
4. Flat feet often appear;
5. The cardiovascular system of overweight adolescents poorly adapts to physical activity. Hypertension and a predisposition to heart disease may develop;
6. There is a lag in the development of the following physical qualities: speed, endurance, strength;
7. Diabetes;
8. Asthma;
9. Gallbladder diseases;
10. Kidney disease;
11. Pancreatitis;
12. Eye diseases;
13. Obesity in adulthood is likely to be more severe, with earlier onset of comorbidities.