How Long Will It Take To Recover From Childhood Obesity?

Obesity is one of the fastest-growing diseases affecting today’s children. Being overweight can contribute to many other health issues to your child. The American Academy of Pediatrics has determined that there is a high probability for an overweight child to become an overweight adult. It is the job of our local communities and national organizations to prevent future health problems arising from obesity.

Diseases like hypertension and diabetes are directly linked to obesity. Other disorders, such as hypothyroidism and asthma can also occur or become more intense in obese children. An overweight child is likely already diagnosed or will be diagnosed with these health disparities in the future.⁽¹⁾

It is extremely difficult to predict the time schedule to recover from obesity. It will depend on various factors including the root cause of obesity, how well the treatment processes have been followed, what lifestyle changes were adopted, how early the treatment or remedial measures have been taken, etc. It may take months or years depending on your condition. But it is possible to see positive results after a few weeks of initial treatment and start of lifestyle changes, enough to keep you motivated and continue the good work.⁽³⁾⁽⁴⁾

You can overcome childhood obesity with proper education and motivation. Parents should take their children to the pediatrician for regular checkups to ensure that their health is improving. This can reduce adult obesity rates, lessening their overall cost of medical care and increase their value of life. Today, you can bring changes in the future of your children by changing their exercise and eating habits.⁽⁴⁾

Avoid Sedentary Lifestyle: Children must live an active lifestyle to stay physically well and healthy during adulthood as well. The American Medical Association advises people to do at least thirty minutes of continuous heart exercise every day. This includes children who actually spend most of their day in front of a screen, such as a computer or a video game. Daily exercise not only keeps children fit, but it stimulates their immune system to fight infections and other diseases that can plague their bodies. Encourage your children to engage in a sports activity, such as swimming, jogging, or playing tennis to increase their metabolism, so that they can burn calories to lose weight.

Having The Right Nutrition: Proper eating habits also reduce the risk of childhood obesity and decrease the likelihood of becoming overweight in adulthood. Everyone should eat proper servings from the five basic food groups daily and avoid cooking their foods in excess oil and butter. Eating the right portion sizes will reduce the excess calories and make you accountable for the foods you take from each food group. It is best to cook your food with natural seasonings, such as bell peppers, garlic, and onions to reduce the excess salt in your meal.

Common Causes Of Childhood Obesity

There are certain factors that can lead to childhood obesity. Some of the most common reasons are:

Genetics: Children whose parents are obese or overweight have a higher risk of childhood obesity. Genetics is the most common cause of obesity in children. If the parents are obese then there is definitely a higher likelihood of the presence of high-calorie food and low physical activities in their lifestyle.

Diet: A poor diet can quickly trigger obesity. Regular intake of high-calorie food or excessive sugar or unhealthy fats is the main trigger. Sweet drinks, fast food, candy, and even artificial fruit juice are some of the common culprits.

No Or Limited Physical Activity: Kids who don’t play outdoors or have exercises tend to gain more weight early in their life. Not burning enough calories and spending too much time sitting such as while watching TV or sleeping for a long time can be the main contributors to the problem.

Psychological Factors: In addition to poor diet and lack of physical activity, psychological factors can also cause obesity in children and infants. Excess calories can be consumed in children due to stress, boredom, and depression.⁽²⁾

References:

Williams EP, Mesidor M, Winters K, Dubbert PM, Wyatt SB. Overweight and obesity: prevalence, consequences, and causes of a growing public health problem. Current obesity reports. 2015;4(3):363-370.
Gurnani M, Birken C, Hamilton J. Childhood obesity: causes, consequences, and management. Pediatric Clinics. 2015;62(4):821-840.
Wadden TA, Bray GA. Handbook of obesity treatment. Guilford Publications; 2018.
Simmonds M, Llewellyn A, Owen C, Woolacott N. Predicting adult obesity from childhood obesity: a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Obesity reviews. 2016;17(2):95-107.

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How Long Will It Take To Recover From Childhood Obesity?