Obesity in children and adolescents is a serious i ue with many health and social co equences that o
Obesity has reached epidemic proportio in the United States. Obesity can run in families. Many families eat the same foods, have the same habits (like acking in front of the TV), and tend to think alike when it comes to weight i ues (like urging children to eat a lot at di er so they can grow "big and strong"). All of these situatio can contribute to weight gain, so it can be difficult to figure out if a person is born with a tendency to be obese or overweight or lear eating and exercise habits that lead to weight gain. Hyperte ion is common among obese adults. A Norwegian study showed that weight gain tended to increase blood pre ure in women more significantly than in men. In most cases, weight problems arise from a combination of habits and genetic factors. Certain illne es, like thyroid gland problems or unusual genetic disorders, are uncommon causes for people gaining weight.
Obesity is not just a cosmetic co ideratio it is a dire health dilemma directly harmful to one's health. In the United States, roughly 300,000 deaths per year are directly related to obesity, and more than 80% of these deaths are in patients with a BMI (body ma index, which will be discu ed later in this article) over 30. Obesity also increases the risk of developing a number of chronic diseases. In the United States, women are slightly more at risk for becoming obese than men. Race and ethnicity also can be factors - in adolescents, obesity is more common among African America . It is also a ociated with breathing problems such as asthma and sleep a ea and problems with hi and knee joints that may require surgery.
Causes of Obesity
1.Genetics (hormones).
2.Overeating.
3.High diet of carbohydrates.
4.Slow metabolism.
5. ychological factors(stre and sadne ).
Symptoms of Obesity
1.Large body frame.
2. Difficulty in doing daily activities.
3.Lethargy.
4. Breathle e .
5.Increased weight.
Treatment of Obesity
1.Lifestyle changes
2.Medicatio (Phentermine ,Sibutramine )
3.Surgery--Gastrointestinal surgery .
4.Alternative and complementary therapies -5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan); Acupuncture and Ayurveda.
5.Other treatments-Co ider cou eling or behavior therapy.