Childhood Obesity | More than just diet
Courtney Carter
/ Categories: WELLNESS, 2024

Childhood Obesity | More than just diet

There’s a disease plaguing the youth of America, and it’s hiding in plain sight.

Childhood obesity affects 1 in every 5 U.S. children. Not simply the result of being lazy or poor choices, childhood obesity isn’t something children grow out of as an adult. Somewhere between 50-80% of children who have obesity are likely to become obese adults.

Beyond the social stigma that comes with being overweight in America, childhood obesity carries real physical and mental health risks. Obese children are at an increased risk of developing various health problems in adulthood, including heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. They’re also 32% more likely to have depression than children at a healthier weight, and at an increased risk for low self-esteem, eating disorders, and anxiety.

More than diet

While diet and lifestyle habits certainly play into risks at any age, there’s more to the disease.

Research has found that children with a family history of obesity are more likely to develop the condition. Some may even carry genes that make their bodies gain weight more easily than others.  

Genes can also lead to rare genetic conditions, such as Prader-Willi syndrome, that can cause severe childhood obesity. 

Other medical conditions, not always inherited, and even certain medications can increase a child's appetite and increase the risk for obesity.

A family approach to battling childhood obesity

While changing a child’s genetic makeup isn’t on the table (yet), there are things parents and caregivers can do to help reverse obesity in children and teens. The first step is being invested and involved.

Studies have found that family-based efforts involving the child and at least one family member can be especially effective at helping children and teens lose weight. These programs often include nutritional and physical activity education, parent skills training, counseling, goal-setting, and behavioral changes. By modeling health choices and behaviors, parents and caregivers create a supportive environment for lifestyle changes.

For example, family meals provide the perfect setting to discuss healthy eating choices and provide children with the opportunity to be involved in meal planning.

Regular group physical activities, such as walking the dog, riding bikes, spontaneous dance parties, and walking to school or stores instead of driving, are great ways to spend time together while boosting weight loss and improving cardiovascular health. Start slowly and steadily increasing activity time to at least 30 minutes a day.

 

 

Limit screen time to increase health

Studies have shown that the rate of obesity is 8.3 times greater for children who watch television for 5 hours a day versus children who watch television for 2 hours or less a day.

 

 

Children with obesity often face stigma, which can impact their emotional and social well-being. Stigmatization can lead to low self-esteem, depression, and avoidance of physical activities, which may worsen the condition. Be open and honest with your child about any lifestyle changes you introduce. Instead of focusing on their weight, discuss how the changes will lead to better health for the whole family.  

A focus on empathy can help parents support their children while helping them develop a positive self-image and lead healthier lives.

For help or guidance on getting ahead of childhood obesity, talk to your child’s doctor.  

 

Kristin Andrew, MSN, APRN, is a member of the care team at SVMC Obstetrics and Gynecology.  

 

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Six Questions with General Surgeon Gina Diaz, MD

Both outpatient surgical procedures and those requiring an overnight stay are once again being offered at SVMC. General Surgeon Gina Diaz, MD, answers six questions about resuming surgical procedures safely.

1. How does it feel to be able to, once again, offer all of the procedures you had in the past?

As a surgeon, I like to do surgeries. So, to be honest, it feels wonderful get back to the work I enjoy. From late March through the beginning of May, we were still performing emergency surgeries, so everyone who needed a surgery was able to receive one during that time. But it's good to be back to a mix of scheduled and emergency procedures.

 

2. What types of procedures you perform?

My mentor during training sub-specialized in colon and rectal surgeries, and he passed that expertise and interest on to me. But I decided not to sub-specialize, because I also enjoy doing gall bladders, ulcer surgery, hernias, and the removal of skin lesions, cysts, and melanomas. Dr. Charles Salem and I work as a team on breast cancer surgeries. As a group, we provide thyroid and parathyroid and endocrine surgeries. And I provide colonoscopies. I grew up playing video games, which have a lot in common with colonoscopies, I think.

 

3. What do you like most about your job?

Surgery allows you to fix a problem for a patient right then and there. You don't have to wait 6 months for the problem to get better. You can make a problem go away. It’s very rewarding in that way.

 

4. In general, what additional precautions have been put in place to ensure that care is safe?

As surgeons, our precautionary measures have always been among the most advanced. We have always washed and sanitized many, many times a day. We were accustomed to wearing masks and shields, long before COVID-19. We implemented all of the recommendations from our industry, state, and national health institutions and review them consistently.

The whole team takes and reports their temperature daily. If patients are at risk of COVID-19, we wear N95 masks and can convert the operating room into a negative-pressure room. All of these precautions ensure that we don’t transmit infections to patients and they don't transmit them to us. I feel really good about the precautions that we have put in place.

 

5. What would you like to share with people who postponed care because of COVID-19?

I would share that it is safe to come to the hospital, see your providers, and have surgeries done. Adequate precautions are in place, and they are not going anywhere. We, as a group, feel it's safe. We encourage patients who are apprehensive to ask a lot of questions. We want them to be as comfortable as we are about having their procedure done.

 

6. How do you feel about providing care during this time?

I feel comfortable and safe providing care at this time. The new precautions we have put in place really protect both patients and staff, and the quality of care we provide is as high as ever. 

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