Causes and effects of childhood obesity

Abstract

Background Childhood and adolescent obesity and overweight is a major public health crisis nationally and internationally.. Obesity in childhood increases the risk of cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, lipid and carbohydrate metabolism disorders, including type 2 diabetes, abnormalities resulting from posture defects, and furthermore obesity in adulthood. Excessive body weight is also the cause of many emotional disorders related with lack of acceptance by oneself, family and peers. An analysis of the prevalence of obesity among children hospitalized in the Department of Rehabilitation was conducted in 2020-2023. Excessive body weight occurred in 23% of the examined patients. Purpose The aim of the study is to show the incidence of obesity and overweight among children hospitalized in the Department of Rehabilitation, to determine the cause of the disease based on the author's survey, which took into account the lifestyle of the examined patients, and to examine the relationship between body weight and elevated blood pressure values. The results were subjected to statistical analysis. Methods The clinical trial was conducted on 1,283 pediatric patients. The data were analyzed: weight, height, BMI, blood pressure and then the obtained values were placed on percentile charts. An original questionnaire was also conducted - took into account the age, gender, lifestyle, eating habits and physical activity of the respondents. Results 23% of hospitalized patients indicated excessive body weight. 10% of patients were obese and 13% were overweight. Back pain was the reason for hospitalization in 76% of overweight and obese children. Among children with excessive body weight, 25% indicated higher blood pressure values, while in the control group, this problem affected only 1% of respondents. A relationship has been shown between lack of physical activity, excessive body weight and problems with the locomotor system - 72% of overweight and obese children didn’t engage in any regular physical activity. After school, children spent their time mainly in a sitting or semi-reclining position. Moreover, 60% of parents reported that they don’t know what their child's diet looks like. Most teenagers admitted to eating meals irregularly, snacking between meals, and drinking sweetened drinks and leaving home without breakfast. Conclusions Obesity and overweight among children and adolescents is a significant public health problem in both medical and social dimensions. Counteracting obesity should start in early childhood and should be based on the lifestyle that includes proper nutrition and physical activity. Factors contributing to overweight and obesity include: lack of daily physical activity, avoiding exercise during physical education classes, spending many hours in a sitting position and inappropriate eating habits.