Obesity is a chronic disease. The World Health Organization estimates it is one of the most overlooked yet rapidly increasing health issues facing humanity today. Beyond humans, many pets also suffer from obesity. In mammals (including humans), excessive fat storage adversely affects health.The principle for physical exercise in children and adolescents is gradual progression and incremental intensity. The goal is to reduce weight, promote fat burning, improve cardiopulmonary function, and prevent the onset of obesity.
People often remark upon seeing an overweight child: "This child is so plump and robust!"In reality, childhood obesity does not necessarily equate to good health. If a child's weight exceeds 20% of the average weight for children of the same gender and age, it is classified as obesity. For example, a one-year-old boy weighing more than 12.1 kilograms is considered obese, as the average weight for a one-year-old boy is 10 kilograms.
Risks of childhood obesity:
① Recent studies indicate that adult chronic diseases like hypertension, heart disease, and diabetes may be linked to obesity, which often originates in childhood.
② Obese children are prone to ridicule from others. Combined with a tendency toward inactivity, this can lead to personality changes such as low self-esteem, isolation, and social withdrawal.
③ Excessive fat tissue can deepen skin folds. Improper care may lead to localized moisture buildup, causing skin erosion, inflammation, or boils.
Multiple factors contribute to obesity, with primary causes for simple obesity including:
① Excessive food intake: Many parents, fearing inadequate nutrition, constantly offer their children various foods. This leads to excess energy intake, which is converted into fat, causing obesity.
② Insufficient activity: Often a vicious cycle of inactivity → obesity → further inactivity.
③ Genetic predisposition: Studies indicate that children with two obese parents have a 70% likelihood of obesity. If only one parent is obese, the risk rises to 40%. Thus, childhood obesity warrants parental vigilance.