Causes and Consequences of Obesity in Children and Adolescents
Obesity in young individuals is a very complex health problem. It occurs when a young individual has a weight that’s well above the healthy or normal weight for the individual’s height and age. Causes of obesity in young individuals include genetics, certain behaviors, and their environment.
Behaviors that contribute to unhealthy weight gain typically include a diet full of low nutrient and high-calorie foods and drinks, the use of certain medications, not getting adequate physical activity, and abnormal sleeping habits. Alternatively, being physically active and eating right could help young individuals develop and sustain a healthy weight all throughout their childhood and adolescent years.
Likewise, balancing calories or energy from foods with calories shed through physical activity plays an extremely important role in keeping weight gain at bay. Furthermore, regular physical activity and healthy eating also help in preventing chronic health problems including heart disease, hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and certain cancers.
Causes and Effects of Adult Obesity
Similar to obesity causes in young individuals, obesity in adults is due to a combination of contributing factors that include genetics and behavior. These behaviors typically include physical inactivity, unhealthy dietary habits, medication use, and the environment.
Additional factors that can contribute to adult obesity include food promotion and marketing. Obesity is a very serious problem since it’s among the top causes of death worldwide and is linked to compromised quality of life and poorer mental health. It also elevates your risk for developing all kinds of chronic health illnesses such as stroke, high blood pressure, diabetes, some cancers, and heart disease.
To combat these negative effects, a healthy diet and regular exercise are essential. Done right and maintained in the long-term, you also reap a host of health benefits and minimize your risk of common chronic health problems.
If you and/or your child is struggling with obesity, you can reach out to us here at Haksha Healthcare S.C. in Brookfield, WI, by calling (262) 439-9544 to book your consultation date with Dr. Kshama Keshava Bhat.