Causes Of Childhood Obesity
Childhood obesity is a nutritional disorder in children typified by an unnecessary buildup of fat in the body [1]. It is diagnosed clinically using the body mass index (BMI) cut-off values. The BMI is estimated as a proportion of weight (W) to the square of the height (H2) [2]. The value varies with age and gender; often higher in females than in males of the same age [3]. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), obesity occurs when the BMI is ≥ 95th percentile for a child or adolescent of a particular age and gender [4]. Obesity is on the increase globally and it is a major public health problem since all age groups and gender are affected in varying proportions in both low- and high-income countries [5]. While childhood
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Childhood obesity may lead to elevated blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, chronic inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis, and abnormal insulin level [10]. Many of these risk factors may co-exist leading to insulin resistance syndrome; a condition previously reported in children as young as 5 years of age [11]. Type 2 diabetes, once virtually unrecognized in adolescence, is now epidemic among obese children; putting them at risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications such as heart disease, stroke, limb amputation, kidney failure, and blindness [12, 13]. A condition called pre-diabetic state, typically identified by impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, was previously reported in adults. It is now common in obese children [14] and often advances to full-scale diabetes before a child attains adulthood [10]. Other problems associated with childhood obesity include frequent pulmonary complications such as sleep apnea [15], asthma [16], and exercise intolerance [17]. An accelerated onset of thelarche and menarche in girls and early pubertal in boys have been reported [18]. Serious complications of the liver, kidney, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems are equally on the increase among obese children [10]. Psychosocially, obese children can develop a negative self-image, low self-esteem associated with sadness, loneliness, nervousness and high-risk behaviors, and bully from peers [19,
Childhood obesity may lead to elevated blood pressure, abnormal lipid profiles, chronic inflammatory conditions, atherosclerosis, and abnormal insulin level [10]. Many of these risk factors may co-exist leading to insulin resistance syndrome; a condition previously reported in children as young as 5 years of age [11]. Type 2 diabetes, once virtually unrecognized in adolescence, is now epidemic among obese children; putting them at risk of macrovascular and microvascular complications such as heart disease, stroke, limb amputation, kidney failure, and blindness [12, 13]. A condition called pre-diabetic state, typically identified by impaired glucose tolerance and insulin resistance, was previously reported in adults. It is now common in obese children [14] and often advances to full-scale diabetes before a child attains adulthood [10]. Other problems associated with childhood obesity include frequent pulmonary complications such as sleep apnea [15], asthma [16], and exercise intolerance [17]. An accelerated onset of thelarche and menarche in girls and early pubertal in boys have been reported [18]. Serious complications of the liver, kidney, musculoskeletal and central nervous systems are equally on the increase among obese children [10]. Psychosocially, obese children can develop a negative self-image, low self-esteem associated with sadness, loneliness, nervousness and high-risk behaviors, and bully from peers [19,