6 causes of childhood obesity

Obesity in Kenya is tightening its grip with the rise of urbanization and rapid dietary changes.

The days when people were going from one point to the next to another. Now we have tarred roads and where they are missing, or the roads are narrow, the motorcycles save the day.

Pollution of water in rivers and other water sources made us hesitate to buy vegetables and fruits in the cities. Many times we opt for processed foods thinking that it is the safest bet in terms of food hygiene and sanitation.

In 2016, the World Health Organization (WHO) reported that 41 million children under five years of age were overweight or obese in the world. The report further indicated that in Africa alone, the number of overweight children under five had increased by nearly 50% since 2000.

Here are the seven leading causes of death. childhood obesity:

1. Overconsumption of processed foods while not satisfying the servings of fruits and vegetables needed per day. The WHO recommends at least 400 g (5 servings) of fruits and vegetables a day

Although treats are good from time to time, they should not replace children's basic meals.

2. Inadequate physical activity. Today, children are adopting a rather sedentary way of life, forever glued to the screens of their phones, computers and similar devices.

Outdoor games and household chores would greatly help eliminate obesity in children

3. Mother's diet during pregnancy. An article published in 2016 by Daily Nation from a study in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) Paediatrics said that mothers who Eating too much fish – more than three times a week – increased the risk that children would be overweight once they reached the age of four and six. This effect was observed to be greater for girls than for boys.

4. Genetic Influences Children may become obese because of genetic factors affecting their metabolism, body fat distribution, appetite, satiety, and the tendency to use nutrition to in the face of stress.

According to an article published by Harvard Health in April 2017, "Why people become overweight," genes can account for 25-80 percent of the predisposition to be overweight among individuals.

Does your child continue to eat even after they are full? Do they turn to food for comfort when they are stressed? Do they have an extremely high metabolic rate?

Making such observations can give you a rough idea of ​​the extent of genetic influences on your child's weight. This can better inform about how to help the child stay healthy.

5. Create a favorable environment. Children tend to learn by example. If they have access to unhealthy food or watch other adult members of the family indulge in unhealthy habits of unhealthy diet and inactivity, they will succumb to this tempting environment no matter the amount of broccoli that you put on their plate. The processed food is mainly colorful and seductive.

6. Lack of adequate sleep. Sleep is crucial for healthy growth and development of children.

Sleep deprivation has the potential to alter the normal functioning of body hormones, including ghrelin, which is the hormone responsible for increasing food appetite.

Sources: World Health Organization (WHO), Daily Nation, Harvard Health