methods

Obesity is a global problem that is not limited to adults. It has been found that approximately 15 million children and adolescents are obese in the United States, and this is approximately one in five children. What do you know about childhood obesity?

Obesity is a global problem that is not limited to adults. It has been found that nearly 15 million children and adolescents are obese in the United States, and this is approximately one in five children.

Note that the incidence of obesity has tripled since 1970.

This made the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recently issue a set of new treatment recommendations for the treatment of childhood obesity, as these recommendations included, for the first time, the possibility of using obesity treatment drugs for children aged 12 and over, and bariatric surgery for adolescents aged 13 and over. .

In addition to the previous recommendations, there are many other therapeutic natives to treat obesity. Families and parents can take some measures to reduce the risk of obesity in children. This is because one of the most important of these steps is to find out the information about childhood obesity and start actual steps to treat it.

Symptoms of obesity in children or adolescents

Excessive weight gain is only one of the signs of obesity, as there are many other pathological signs associated with this type of health condition, which are often represented by:

heavy sweating

Tired.

Gastroesophageal reflux.

Joint pain.

Suffering from puberty problems, such as: delayed puberty in boys, and early puberty in girls.

shortness of breath.

Sleep apnea and snoring.

Methods for diagnosing obesity in children or adolescents

In addition to noting the obesity symptoms mentioned above, the pediatrician will also compare the child''s body mass index (BMI), (which is a measure of the ratio of weight to height), with other children of the same sex and age, if the BMI is 95 or Above, the child is diagnosed as obese.

There are also many factors that the doctor takes into account when diagnosing obesity, such as: the child''s family history and lifestyle.

The importance of treating childhood obesity

Childhood obesity is a chronic disease that entails many risks and health complications if it is not controlled early, as it is possible to continue suffering from it even after reaching puberty in some cases.

Among the most important diseases and health conditions associated with being overweight in childhood are the following:

Asthma: Obese children are more likely to develop chronic pneumonia.

Heart disease: Obese children often suffer from high cholesterol levels and high blood pressure, which may increase their chance of developing heart disease.

Joint pain: Excess weight puts pressure on the lower joints, which may lead to weak cartilage and limit the child''s ability to move.

Sleep disorders: Children who are overweight or obese are more likely to have sleep apnea.

Type 2 Diabetes: Overweight children and adolescents have an increased chance of developing type 2 diabetes, which can be controlled by making some lifestyle modifications.

Psychological disorders: Not treating obesity, especially in adolescents, can affect mental health, which may lead to anxiety or depression. This is due to the increase in the child''s exposure to bullying and social isolation.

Methods of treating obesity in children and adolescents

Treating obesity in children and adolescents requires the need for many specialties, such as: education, mental health support, and medical interventions. There are also many methods of treatment, which include:

lifestyle changes

Making some lifestyle changes is an important part of treating obesity. This is because it can help your family and children lose weight and follow a healthier lifestyle. Some tips that your pediatrician can guide you to include:

Doing exercise: It is recommended to do enough exercise for children with obesity, about 150-300 minutes per week.

Adopting a healthy diet: by eating a healthy diet full of whole and plant-based foods, rather than processed and prepared foods.

Reducing junk food intake: especially foods rich in sugar, sodium, fat, and unnecessary calories.

Get enough sleep: Adequate sleep helps the child make healthy decisions and get enough energy to exercise.

Pharmacological treatment of obesity

The doctor resorts to prescribing some medications that treat obesity for children aged 12 years or more, and even for children between the ages of 8-11 years in some cases, especially when changes in lifestyle are not sufficient, and approved medications for the treatment of obesity in children include what Come:

Liraglutide.

Orlistat.

Phentermine-topiramate.

Topiramate.

Semaglutide.

Weight loss surgery for teens

The 2023 American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines recommend evaluation for weight-loss surgery in some adolescents, as it is generally recommended for children 13 years of age or older who have:

A body mass index of 35 or greater, and suffer from obesity-related health complications.

A body mass index of 40 or greater, whether or not they have obesity-related health complications.

Suffering from obesity, despite following many healthy habits, which did not work for them.

Weight-loss surgeries, such as gastric sleeve and gastric bypass, can help you lose about 30% of your weight, but care must be taken to follow a specific diet and to adhere to advice related to daily activities after surgery. .

What do you do if you think your child is obese?

You may have to see a pediatrician if you have some doubts and concerns about your child''s weight, as the doctor will help you diagnose and evaluate your child''s health status once he inquires and asks you about some matters related to him, for example:

Research all factors that increase the risk of obesity.

The child''s medical history.

Normal diet followed by the child.

child''s activity level.

The appearance of any symptoms related to obesity in the child may cause you concern.