Causes of Childhood Obesity
Although there are some genetic and hormonal causes of childhood obesity, most of the time it's caused by kids eating too much and exercising too little. Far less common than lifestyle issues are genetic diseases and hormonal disorders that can make a child more likely to be obese.
Any patient who regularly consumes more calories than needed will gain weight. If this is not reversed, the patient will become obese over time. Consumption of just 100 kilocalories (the equivalent of 8 ounces of soft drink) above daily requirements will typically result in a 10-pound weight gain over one year. Many different factors contribute to this imbalance between calorie intake and consumption.
Any patient who regularly consumes more calories than needed will gain weight. If this is not reversed, the patient will become obese over time. Consumption of just 100 kilocalories (the equivalent of 8 ounces of soft drink) above daily requirements will typically result in a 10-pound weight gain over one year. Many different factors contribute to this imbalance between calorie intake and consumption.
Genetic Factors
-Obesity tends to run in familes.
-A child with an obese parent or sibling is more likely to become obese.
-Genetics alone can not cause obesity. Obesity will occur when a child eats more than he or she should.
-A child with an obese parent or sibling is more likely to become obese.
-Genetics alone can not cause obesity. Obesity will occur when a child eats more than he or she should.
Socioeconomic Status
-Families with low income or nonworking parents are more likely to eat excessive calories for activity level.
Physical Inacticity
-The population of television, video games, and computers has increased as a sedentary (inactice) lifestyle for many children and teenagers in developed countries, like the U.S.
-Children and teenagers in the U.S. spend an average of over three hours daily watching television. This not only uses very little calories, but also encourages snacking and sipping.
-Fewer than half of children in the United States have a parent who engages in regular physical activity.
-Only one-third of children in the United States have daily physical activity education at school.
-Children and teenagers in the U.S. spend an average of over three hours daily watching television. This not only uses very little calories, but also encourages snacking and sipping.
-Fewer than half of children in the United States have a parent who engages in regular physical activity.
-Only one-third of children in the United States have daily physical activity education at school.
Dietary Habits
-The dietary habits of children and teenagers has shifted away from healthy foods (such as fruits,vegetables, and whole grains) to a greater reliance on fast foods, processed snack foods, and sugary drinks.
-These foods tend to be high in fat and and/or calories and low in may nutrients.
-Several patterns are associated with obesity. Unhealthy habits include eating when one is not hungry, eating while doing homework or watching t.v, or drinking sodas during sedentary activities (t.v, movies, etc.).
-These foods tend to be high in fat and and/or calories and low in may nutrients.
-Several patterns are associated with obesity. Unhealthy habits include eating when one is not hungry, eating while doing homework or watching t.v, or drinking sodas during sedentary activities (t.v, movies, etc.).
Although specific medical conditions can cause pediatric obesity, these are very
rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders
of metabolism. Children who exhibit normal linear growth typically do not have
these conditions associated with pediatric obesity.
rare. They include hormone or other chemical imbalances and inherited disorders
of metabolism. Children who exhibit normal linear growth typically do not have
these conditions associated with pediatric obesity.