Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist pointed out that the risk of obesity in children between the ages of 2-6 who are overweight or obese gradually increases in advanced ages, according to a newly published study. Hence, our specialist pointed out the importance of childhood for healthy living and aging. 

Turkey is the Most Obese Society in Europe

Although the prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing all over the world, Yeditepe University Kozyatağı Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist pointed out that there is a much faster acceleration, especially in Turkey.  ''According to the latest data from the World Health Organization, Turkey is by far the most obese society in Europe and its prevalence is 32 percent. In other words, one out of every three people in our country is obese. Again, the rate of children is quite high compared to other countries. According to the latest data from the Ministry of Health, the rate of overweight or obesity in children is 24.5 percent. In other words, it is seen that one out of every four children has a weight problem. Moreover, this rate is increasing every year.”

Three Main Factors of Childhood Obesity: Family, Environment, Nutrition

The main cause of childhood obesity is overeating and lack of activity. Stating that there are many reasons for this, the Pediatric Endocrinologist  gave the following information about the effect of these factors on the development of obesity in children:
“We know that if both parents are obese, the probability of their child being obese is 80 percent, while when only one of the parents is obese, the probability of their child being obese decreases to 40 percent. The reason for this cannot be explained by genetic predisposition alone. Unfortunately, mistakes in family nutrition and lifestyle directly affect children as well. According to the ministry's data, half the parents of overweight and obese children do not even think that their children have a weight problem. Therefore, family awareness is needed first. Then we recommend family nutrition and lifestyle changes. Even if the parents are not overweight, family change is the most important point in overcoming obesity in order to support and set an example for the obese child.”

Hidden Enemy at Home: Television - Tablet - Computer

Restricting physical activity in children living in cities is a common problem. However, while the child's activity is restricted, the Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist said that offering him/her unlimited foods increases the risk of obesity. Following things to be considered regarding environmental factors:
“Among the environmental factors, the most important issues to be considered are the time spent in front of television, phone, tablet, and computer. This limits the child's activity and reduces energy consumption. In addition, food consumption increases while watching television. Another negative effect of television is that children are attracted to foods and drinks that are shown in advertisements and have no nutritional value. In order to prevent obesity, physical activity should be increased, that is, the energy taken should be spent. Increasing physical activity is important for all family members since it is seen that physical activity and energy consumption are low in families of obese children.'' 

Being Inactive Is Not Good

The number of meals and the content of the nutrients taken are extremely important in nutrition. Pointing out that obese children do not always eat more than their peers and that low energy expenditure is as important a risk factor as nutrition, Yeditepe University Hospital Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist explained the following: 
“Reducing the frequency of feeding, eating one or two meals, and foods containing high calories, carbohydrates, and fats increase the risk of weight gain. All kinds of ready-made packaged products (chocolate, wafers, biscuits, acidic drinks, cold tea drinks, etc.) bought from the markets, french fries, hamburgers, pizza, pasta, etc. play an important role in the formation of obesity.
Stating that obesity in children may rarely develop due to underlying hormonal causes, Pediatric Endocrinology Specialist: added, "In addition to weight gain in the presence of these conditions, other complaints such as extreme weakness, fatigue, constipation, slowing or stopping of height increase are also accompanied. In the presence of these complaints, a pediatric endocrine doctor must be checked.”

Mother's Weight at Pregnancy Increases Child's Obesity Risk

In a very recently published study, the Pediatric Endocrinologist, who once again revealed that risk factors that lead to an increase in appetite and obesity frequency in children begin before they are born, stated that the more weight the mother conceives, the more likely her babies are to become obese in the future. In addition, although it is less, the fact that the father is overweight during conception, the mother gains excess weight during pregnancy or is extremely weak, there is pregnancy sugar, and the mother smokes during pregnancy also increases the risk. The Pediatric Endocrinologist added that recent publications have also shown that unnecessary antibiotic use during pregnancy increases the risk of obesity in the child.

The First Two Years are Very Important in Terms of Future Obesity Risk

"The first 2 years of age, as well as the period in the womb, are very important in terms of future obesity risk," says the Pediatric Endocrinologist, and continued as follows:
"Caesarean delivery, inability to get breast milk, feeding with food containing more than 2 g/100 ml of protein, especially rapid weight gain and growth in the first year, consumption of sugary foods and low sleep (up to <10.5 hours sleep-2 years) increase the risk of children developing obesity in the future."

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