Goel Ashish, Reddy Spoorti, Goel Paula
Department of Cardiology, Fayth Clinic, Mumbai, IND.
Department of General Medicine, Jan Sewa Hospital, Tantia University, Sri Ganganagar, IND.
Cureus. 2024 Jul 20;16(7):e64985. doi: 10.7759/cureus.64985. eCollection 2024 Jul.
Childhood obesity is a complex public health challenge with profound implications for both physical and psychological well-being. A significant portion of the global population struggles with obesity. Sedentary lifestyles, increased consumption of ultra-processed foods, and socioeconomic disparities are major contributors. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exacerbated these issues, leading to a surge in obesity rates among children. The consequences of childhood obesity extend beyond immediate health issues like type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases; obese children are at higher risk for psychological problems such as depression, anxiety, and low self-esteem, which can persist into adulthood. These health challenges also impose substantial economic burdens due to increased healthcare costs and reduced productivity. This paper synthesizes findings from various articles to provide an overview of the causes, consequences, and preventive strategies related to childhood obesity. It highlights the varied nature of obesity, including genetic, environmental, and lifestyle factors, and discusses the profound impact on physical health, socioemotional skills, and mental health. Additionally, it examines the global challenge of childhood obesity, particularly in developing nations, and emphasizes the importance of preventive measures, family and parental behaviors, and effective policy interventions.
儿童肥胖是一项复杂的公共卫生挑战，对身心健康有着深远影响。全球相当一部分人口都在与肥胖作斗争。久坐不动的生活方式、超加工食品消费的增加以及社会经济差异是主要因素。新冠疫情进一步加剧了这些问题，导致儿童肥胖率激增。儿童肥胖的后果不仅限于2型糖尿病和心血管疾病等直接健康问题；肥胖儿童患抑郁症、焦虑症和自卑等心理问题的风险更高，这些问题可能持续到成年。由于医疗成本增加和生产力下降，这些健康挑战还带来了巨大的经济负担。本文综合了多篇文章的研究结果，概述了与儿童肥胖相关的成因、后果和预防策略。它强调了肥胖的多样性，包括遗传、环境和生活方式因素，并讨论了对身体健康、社会情感技能和心理健康的深远影响。此外，它审视了儿童肥胖的全球挑战，特别是在发展中国家，并强调了预防措施、家庭和父母行为以及有效政策干预的重要性。
