The prevalence of childhood obesity is on the rise all over the world, and it is estimated that one in four children in westernised
countries is obese. Obese children are more likely to become obese adults and are at an increased risk of psychological difficulties
and obesity related diseases and death. The causes of childhood obesity are often many and complex, including:
Genetic factors
Children whose parents are overweight are at an increased risk of becoming obese. Not all children born to obese parents will become
obese, but the likelihood is greater.
The fat cells of obese children and adults (as compared to normal children and adults) are said to respond differently to hormonal
influences, resulting in increased fat deposition or a decrease in fat breakdown. Obese children also tend to have a lower metabolic
rate than non-obese children, and thus have an increased tendency to gain weight.
Rare inherited disorders are sometimes involved in causing obesity. However, most obese children do not have these inherited conditions.
Family factors
Children learn from example and often acquire bad eating and exercise habits by mimicking those of their parents. Parents of obese
children often treat mealtimes differently to the parents of healthy children, perhaps allowing the child total freedom to choose
the meal, or using lollies as a reward for finishing dinner.
Lifestyle factors
High caloric and fat intake
Children who eat excessive amounts of high-calorie and high-fat foods, are at an increased risk of becoming obese, especially when a
high calorie intake is not compensated for with physical activity. Culprit foods include junk foods, fast foods, fried foods,
chocolates, lollies and crisps.
Decreased physical activity
It is often found that the calorie intake of obese children is not significantly greater than that of non-obese children. It has,
however, been shown that obese children are less active than leaner children. As physical activity plays a vital role in burning off
energy, a sedentary lifestyle can lead to overweight.
Television viewing and video games
It requires less energy to sit in front of a screen than to run around and play. Television viewing and computer games result in low
energy expenditure and may contribute to the development of obesity.
In addition, children who watch television are also exposed to a number of food advertisements, a large proportion of which are fast
food advertisements. This increases the likelihood of a child requesting fast food at meal times.
Television viewing is often accompanied by snacking, resulting in an increased consumption of between meal snacks and calories.
Psychological factors
Children may learn to use food as a source of comfort or to mask feelings of abuse or neglect. While this is a complex thing to assess,
it is likely to contribute to obesity.
Endocrine disorders
Obesity resulting from endocrine (hormone) disorders does occur but is very rare.
Seasonal factors
Children who live in colder climates often tend to put on more weight during the winter months due to a decrease in physical activity
and an increase in food consumption.
Socio-economic factors
Wealth and poverty appear to influence a child’s risk of obesity in complex ways. In poorer countries affluence is associated with
higher childhood obesity while in wealthier countries, children from the poorest families are more likely to be obese than their more affluent peers.
Formula-feeding versus breast-feeding
Studies have shown that formula-fed babies are at an increased risk of becoming obese later in life when compared with their breast-fed counterparts.
Early weaning
Babies who are weaned onto solid foods before 4 to 6 months may be at an increased risk of obesity.
Prevention is the best treatment
Education is the key to preventing childhood obesity. Mothers should be informed of the benefits of breastfeeding and delaying the
introduction of solid foods. In early childhood, education should include proper nutrition, selection of low-fat snacks, good exercise
habits, and monitoring of television viewing and computer games.