2023-07-28 04:00:34
Obesity at an early age produces physical unhappiness, as well as social insecurity and isolation.
According to the WHO, since 1975 this condition has tripled, which has generated greater medical attention for the disorders derived from this condition.
The approach to obesity and overweight must always be multidisciplinary because it requires the participation of nutritionists, paediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and, lastly, endoscopists.
The statistics of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents from 5 to 17 years old it is currently 34%. Although the problem is already serious, the outlook for the future could be worse. Part of the responsibility is due to the current lifestyle based on a sedentary lifestyle and the increase in the consumption of ultra-processed products.
A weighty problem
From a general vision, there are 36 million people suffering from obesity in Mexico. With this figure, it ranks fifth globally and first in Latin America. According to the World Health Organization (WHO)since 1975 this condition has tripled, which has generated greater medical attention for the disorders derived from this condition.
Weight gain at an early age leads to physical unhappiness, social insecurity, and isolation. In addition, parents of overweight children report that they are constantly in the room, they do not want to socialize and, above all, they are irritable.
Childhood obesity not only affects quality of life, education, physical and mental health, but also has catastrophic and unsustainable economic consequences for the country. Medical care amounts to more than 650 billion pesos (3% of GDP) and these costs do not take into account other risk factors such as diabetes.
When the subject is discussed, a parent’s mistake is to minimize the situation or harass them without knowing its complexity. This approach should always be multidisciplinary, hand in hand with nutritionists, pediatricians, psychologists, psychiatrists and, finally, endoscopists.
Tips for parents
From the above, the Dra. Acosta Thenwho is a bariatric endoscopist and director of the Obesity and Specialties Clinic Salutte Clinicelaborated seven basic points that parents of obese children should take into account.
Environment outside the kitchen, dining room and bedroom.
Start the conversation with: how do you feel about your weight?
Speak from love and empathy, avoiding judgments.
Appreciate that he is open to tell you his feelings.
Talk to your child about upcoming challenges.
Focus them from health, beyond the reflection in the mirror.
Everyone in the house needs to be integrated to increase the success rate.
Teenagers’ lives can change if parents seek professional help. Health personnel must guide correctly to know which is the most effective treatment. A young man’s life-changing project begins with his parents.
The American Society of Pediatrics (AAP) approved in 2023 bariatric procedures from the age of 12 in those cases where diet and exercise do not work, in a six-month plan. All this, with alternatives such as gastric balloon, endoscopic sleeve without surgery and bariatric surgery. Although in the end you should always consult a health professional first.
Also read:
How to combat childhood obesity from home?
Childhood obesity in Mexico: A serious health problem
Obesity in Mexico has tripled during the last 5 decades
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