Bashir Anam, Doreswamy Shriya, Narra Lakshmi Rekha, Patel Pinal, Guarecuco Jesus E, Baig Ayesha, Lahori Simmy, Heindl Stacey E
Internal Medicine, California Institute of Behavioral Neurosciences and Psychology, Fairfield, USA.
Otorhinolaryngology, Vydehi Institute of Medical Sciences and Research Centre, Bangalore, IND.
Cureus. 2020 Nov 13;12(11):e11473. doi: 10.7759/cureus.11473.
Obesity in children is becoming a worldwide epidemic that requires immediate attention. Despite all the efforts directed towards controlling this issue, its prevalence is increasing overtime both in developed and developing countries. With an increasing prevalence in the younger age groups, it is emerging as a public health crisis. A rise in body mass index (BMI) results in an increased risk of developing a variety of metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, particularly coronary artery disease (CAD). The early onset of the disease affects the peak productivity years in young individuals leading to disability at a later age. It makes it essential that we understand the contributory factors towards the development of obesity as a risk factor for CAD and develop strategies that hinder the progression towards adverse outcomes. There is an urgent need to screen these children at a younger age and educate them to change their lifestyle to decrease the BMI within the normal range to promote cardiovascular health. It requires a multidisciplinary approach involving dietary, physical, and behavioral-centered strategies. Failure to control this epidemic timely may cause widespread consequences for the quality of life and longevity.
儿童肥胖正成为一个需要立即关注的全球性流行病。尽管为控制这一问题付出了种种努力，但无论在发达国家还是发展中国家，其患病率都在随时间推移而上升。随着在较年轻年龄组中的患病率不断增加，它正演变成一场公共卫生危机。体重指数（BMI）的升高会导致患各种代谢和心血管疾病的风险增加，尤其是冠状动脉疾病（CAD）。该疾病的早期发作会影响年轻人的高产期，导致他们在晚年出现残疾。因此，我们必须了解导致肥胖作为CAD风险因素的促成因素，并制定能够阻碍向不良后果发展的策略。迫切需要在儿童较小时对他们进行筛查，并教育他们改变生活方式，将BMI降至正常范围内，以促进心血管健康。这需要一种多学科方法，包括以饮食、身体活动和行为为中心的策略。未能及时控制这一流行病可能会对生活质量和寿命造成广泛影响。
