Introduction
Among the most critical global health issues of the twenty-first century is childhood obesity. The problem is widespread and is increasingly impacting several middle- and low-income nations, especially in urban areas. Childhood obesity and overweight are known to affect mental and physical health negatively. These kids are more likely to be overweight into adulthood and have an earlier onset of non-communicable diseases, including diabetes and cardiovascular conditions. Due to natural hormonal variations, women are more prone than men to be obese. This essay analyses a case study of about child health and explains the issue and risks relevant to the child’s weight-related condition.
Health Issues and Risks
Chronic disorders linked to overweight are spreading in children and adolescents as the prevalence of obesity rises. Asthma progression is a potential factor for overweight. Type 2 diabetes may result from the buildup of increased fat mass, and the incidence of type 2 diabetes rises proportionally with an elevation in body mass index (Temple et al., 2020). Children who are obese or overweight might be more susceptible to suffering gallstones, mainly if they are female. Obese children may have greater bile cholesterol concentrations, resulting in gallstones (Temple et al., 2020). These health issues can be life-threating to the child and deteriorate the child’s overall health.
Children who are obese run the risk of developing hypertension or worsening an existing condition. A recent study found that children’s obesity causes 70% of predominant hypertension situations (Xu et al., 2018). Having additional fat tissue in the body might result in complicated alterations that work together to cause or exacerbate hypertension. The youngster is in danger of a nonalcoholic fatty liver condition, including swelling and fibrosis. The child will also encounter a disparity in ovulatory functioning, which could cause heavy and irregular cycles (Temple et al., 2020). The parents should play a crucial role in helping the child manage the health condition to minimize the risks.
Additional Information Needed to Further Assess Condition
Waist circumference, body mass index (BMI), and medical issues for ailments connected to obesity are the main metrics utilized to evaluate the connection between weight and health concerns. In assessing the child’s weight status, the BMI will be utilized. The girl’s height and weight will be needed to make a simple calculation of the body mass index. BMI-for-age is an age- and sex-specific measurement for children and adolescents (Kuciene & Dulskiene, 2019). The BMI would determine the child’s chance of developing certain conditions like type 2 diabetes and heart disease.
The waist circumference measurement aids in screening potential health concerns associated with obesity and being overweight. Youngsters are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes and heart disease if most of their body fat is around their waist rather than their hips (Xu et al., 2018). Additionally, reviewing the child’s medical records will be necessary to look up details on every illness and any risk factors. Since obesity often runs in families, knowledge of the parents’ lifestyle decisions will be required as family members frequently have comparable eating and exercise habits.
Further Information to Gain Full Understanding of Child’s Health
The parents would disclose details about their child’s feeding habits to comprehend their health. Good feeding habits help kids control their food intake, helping parents keep their kids at a healthy weight (Han et al., 2018). Moreover, consuming less nutrient-dense food and beverages at home may make kids more likely to become obese. As a result, acquiring data on the foods parents buy for their children would aid health care professionals in educating the caregivers about a nutritious diet. Parents will be more inclined to listen and trust the information being shared on their child’s health if they are treated with warmth and respect.
Questions Asked About the Child to Gather More Information
As a specialist interacting with children’s health, establishing a solid base of information, and asking questions mindful of possible sensitivities are crucial because of the complexity and diversity of today’s families. Some questions to ask the parents or caregivers would include:
- Has the child’s ability to engage in physically demanding activities, such as bicycle riding and sprinting, been restricted because of health issues?
- Do you take the kid to events where they can socialize outside? If so, how many hours a week would the child spend playing outside?
- Does the youngster exhibit unusual eating habits, such as a strong distaste for certain foods or a craving for others?
Strategies To Encourage Parents to Be Proactive About Child’s Health
Parents and other family members can guide children to create lifestyle behaviors promoting long-term health. Children may develop, learn, establish stronger joints and limbs, and keep a healthy weight if they eat a balanced diet, engage in frequent physical activity, and receive enough sleep (Aggarwal & Jain, 2018). Strategies that encourage parents and caregivers to be concerned about their child’s wellbeing include:
- Being a role model by exercising instead of watching television, playing video games, or browsing the internet.
- Talk to the kids about being healthy and how a particular meal or physical exercise may benefit them.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a youngster who is obese experiences mental and physical health problems. Children who are overweight have higher instances of melancholy and loneliness and lower levels of self-esteem. In order to determine whether a child’s weight is healthy, a measurement called BMI utilizing waist circumference is used. Heart disease, depression, cancer, and even death can all be caused by obesity. By providing wholesome meals and refreshments, encouraging daily exercise, and offering proper nutrition, parents can be proactive about their child’s health.
References
Aggarwal, B., & Jain, V. (2018). Obesity in children: Definition, etiology and approach. The Indian Journal of Pediatrics, 85(3), 463-471. Web.
Han, A., Fu, A., Cobley, S., & Sanders, R. H. (2018). Effectiveness of exercise intervention on improving fundamental movement skills and motor coordination in overweight/obese children and adolescents: A systematic review. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport, 21(1), 89-102. Web.
Kuciene, R., & Dulskiene, V. (2019). Associations between body mass index, waist circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and high blood pressure among adolescents: A cross-sectional study. Science Reports, 9(4), 94-111. Web.
Temple, J. L., Ziegler, A. M., Crandall, A. K., Mansouri, T., & Epstein, L. H. (2020). Sensitization of the reinforcing value of food; A novel risk factor for overweight in adolescents. International Journal of Obesity, 44(3), 1918-1927. Web.
Xu, R. Y., Zhou, Y. Q., Zhang, X. M., Wan, Y. P., & Gao, X. (2018). Body mass index, waist circumference, body fat mass, and risk of developing hypertension in normal-weight children and adolescents. Nutrition, Metabolism and Cardiovascular Diseases, 28(10), 1061-1066. Web.