In daily life, obesity is recognized as a medical condition. Excessive weight gain can trigger obesity-related diseases, posing serious threats to health. Cultivating sound dietary and lifestyle habits is essential to prevent obesity and its detrimental effects on well-being.
Obesity refers to excessive fat accumulation within the body, typically defined as exceeding the normal weight for a child's height and age by 20%.In recent years, the prevalence of obesity has been 3% to 5%. Diet-related obesity is termed exogenous obesity (also known as physiological or alimentary obesity), meaning that the calories consumed exceed normal requirements. The excess caloric nutrients are converted into fat within the body, leading to obesity. Therefore, the fundamental cause of obesity is energy intake exceeding expenditure. The body's caloric sources come from various foods, and the caloric content of food is related to its chemical properties.To maintain an ideal normal weight, caloric balance must be sustained, meaning children's food intake and variety must be controlled. Typically, obesity diagnosis follows specific criteria, primarily based on fat measurement. Children with a weight exceeding 20%–30% of the standard are classified as mildly obese, 30%–50% as moderately obese, and over 50% as severely obese.A weight exceeding 20% or a triceps skinfold thickness above the 85th percentile indicates obesity. Exogenous obesity is typically mild, often has a family history, and frequently begins in preschool years. Affected children are generally healthy, tend to be taller and mature earlier, and may experience accelerated puberty. However, their adult height is usually slightly shorter than average.Obese boys may have smaller external genitalia, while obese girls may experience earlier menarche. In both sexes, fat accumulation occurs primarily on the cheeks, jawline, chest, abdominal wall, and buttocks, with relatively less accumulation around the mouth, eyes, and nose. Obesity is particularly noticeable on the upper arms and thighs, with thickened hands and long, pointed fingers. Exogenous obesity is generally distributed evenly and does not present with neurological or endocrine metabolic abnormalities.
The hazards of obesity are multifaceted and intensify with age. Obese infants accumulate fat on the outer thighs, leading to genu varum (knock-knees). Fat accumulation on the inner thighs may cause genu valgum (bowlegs). Combined with weaker lower limb muscle strength and tone in obese children, pronounced genu valgum often develops after age 3–4.During sleep, obese children are prone to breathing difficulties. This not only increases susceptibility to respiratory infections but also, due to insufficient lung ventilation, can lead to cardiac and cerebral disorders. For instance, pneumonia may be complicated by heart failure or encephalopathy.
For obese children and adolescents, the primary challenge lies in psychological maladjustment. Their overweight appearance and reduced agility often make them targets of ridicule among peers, fostering low self-esteem and disrupting normal school life.Obese boys may develop enlarged breasts, while obese girls may experience early menarche, both of which can cause psychological distress and anxiety. Severely obese individuals tend to fall asleep easily and are reluctant to engage in physical activity. After strenuous exercise, they often experience rapid heartbeat and shortness of breath.Excess fat tissue in obese children increases blood flow, placing greater strain on the heart. As obesity worsens, blood pressure and cholesterol levels rise, with boys showing more pronounced increases than girls. Consequently, obese children face a significantly higher risk of developing hypertension and coronary heart disease in adulthood—2 to 3 times higher than normal-weight individuals, and up to 6 times higher in severe cases—making them prone to angina attacks.The risk of diabetes in obese children is five times higher than in normal-weight children. They are also more prone to gallstones. Reports indicate that obese adolescent girls have a 1.6 times higher risk of developing endometrial tumors compared to their normal-weight peers.
In recent years, the rapid increase in obese populations has led to a significant rise in obesity cases, severely impacting physical health. Obesity poses numerous hazards, not only affecting appearance but also placing a heavy burden on overall health. Therefore, cultivating healthy lifestyle and dietary habits from an early age is essential to prevent obesity.