Childhood obesity
The buildup of extra fat in the body leads to obesity. It is typically brought on by an excessive diet, inactivity, and hereditary vulnerability. The accumulation of extra body fat can have a number of detrimental implications for health, including shorter life expectancy and an increase in health issues. Overweight is defined as having a body mass index (BMI) of over 25, and obesity as having a BMI of over 30. Children have been compelled to stay indoors throughout this outbreak. Children's obesity is also significantly influenced by other variables, such as restricted playtime and online learning. In India and around the world, childhood and teenage obesity are on the rise to alarming levels. It impacts the child’s immediate health, educational attainment and quality of life.
There are many causes of obesity, such as:
- Daytime napping or excessive sleep should be avoided since kapha dosha imbalances agni, which leads to an increase in body fat.
- Erratic eating habits.
- Calorie-dense, high-fat, and carbohydrate diets are more common among children.
- Lack of physical activity brought on by a sedentary lifestyle.
- Genetics, diseases, endocrine disorders, or psychiatric disorders.
A Dietary Management Strategy to Reduce Childhood Obesity:
- A child's morning meal should always contain whole grains, fruits and protein.
- Meal delay does not aid in weight loss.
- Drink half a glass of water before the meal.
- Water and cold drinks shouldn't be consumed with meals especially just after the meal.
-
Eat more fruits and vegetables to enhance dietary intake.
-
Along with grains and pulses high in fiber like barley (jau), oats, millet (ragi/mandua), corn, chickpeas (kala chana), green gram and fresh vegetables like lauki, parwal, tauri, karela, palak, methi, drumstick, carrot, cucumber, etc. should also be included in the diet.
-
Jambu, Bibhitaki, Bilva, Haritaki, Amalaki, and Cumin can be included in the diet.
- Try offering these fruits and vegetables as fruit mixes or vegetable confections to make them more enticing if the child has trouble eating them.
Exercises (Vyayama):
- Every day, at least 60 minutes of physical activity, such as cycling, morning walks, or playing sports, should be promoted for kids.
Cut Back on Screen Time:
Turn off the TV, computer, video games, etc. after no more than two hours each day. As a result, your child will be given more time to perform physical activities.
Maintaining a healthy body weight can be achieved through:
-
Nidra (sleep): It is best to avoid taking afternoon naps or sleeping too much because they have a detrimental impact on weight.
-
Aushadhi (drugs), ahara (food), and vihara are the three major tenets of Ayurvedic treatment (activity and a healthy lifestyle).
-
Medicines made from guggulu, rasanjana, triphala, trikatu, vacha, vidanga, and chitraka navaka guggulu, vyoshadi guggulu, arogyavardhini vati, triphala churna, and medohar vidangadi lauha are some of the herbs used.
- To lose the additional weight, taking gomutra, madhu, etc. may be advised.
Insightful counseling and responsibility as parents:
- Parental responsibility: Parents should choose a healthy diet and get plenty of exercise to provide a positive example for their children.
- Supporting the child emotionally is important since it motivates them to be active. Not results, but little weight reduction adjustments and efforts should be recognized in kids. They will then be inspired to work harder as a result.