Health Check
A Weighty Problem What are the causes and implications of childhood obesity, and where should we look for the solutions?
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besity is defined by the World Health Organisation as ''abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health''. In the last few years, mainly because of changes in dietary habits, it has become a particular problem in children – and obesity in childhood can persist throughout life and lead to longterm health problems Globally in 2016, the number of overweight children under the age of five is estimated to have been over 41 million. Overweight and obese children are likely to stay obese into adulthood and more
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Did you know? Children living with obesity are more likely to be obese in adulthood and thus increase the risk of obesity for their own children later in life. (Source - Public Health England)
likely to develop noncommunicable diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular diseases at a younger age. But overweight and obesity, as well as their related diseases, are largely preventable. The fundamental cause of childhood overweight and obesity is an energy imbalance between calories consumed and calories expended. Global increases in childhood overweight and obesity are attributable to several factors. First, there has been a global shift in diet towards increased intake of energy-dense foods that Healthy Child with Dr Ranj Singh | 81
20/05/2021 17:24