Parents, how can children with obesity lose weight scientifically? Please accept this guide

The latest study published in The Lancet shows

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There are currently 159 million children and adolescents suffering from obesity worldwide

Global obesity rates among children and adolescents are expected to quadruple from 1990 levels in 2022

The obesity rate among Chinese girls increased from 0.6% in 1990 to 7.7% in 2022.

The obesity rate among boys increased from 1.3% in 1990 to 15.2% in 2022

The obesity rate among urban children and adolescents is relatively high, and the obesity rate among rural children and adolescents is also increasing rapidly. In addition, the recently released "World Obesity Report 2024"

It is estimated that the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Chinese children and adolescents (5-19 years old) will increase to 72% in 2035

The annual growth rate of overweight and obese children in China will be 2.0% from 2020 to 2035

There are so many obese children. How do parents determine whether their children are obese?

Obesity is a chronic metabolic disease in which the body accumulates excessive fat to a level that is harmful to health. It is a state of excessive weight gain caused by energy intake exceeding energy expenditure or changes in the body's metabolism.

Obesity in children and adolescents is determined based on the Growth Standards for Children Under 7 Years Old (WS/T 423) and the Screening for Overweight and Obesity in School-Age Children and Adolescents (WS/T 586). For details, see the following:

Overweight and obesity in children aged 2 to 5 years old are determined using the age-specific BMI standard deviation method, and those greater than 2 standard deviations are considered obese.

Standard deviation of weight-for-height for children aged 2 to 5 years (kg)

Source: Growth Standards for Children Under 7 Years Old (WS/T 423)

Overweight and obesity in children and adolescents aged 6 to 17 years old are determined by BMI. Those whose BMI is greater than or equal to the "overweight" cut-off point of the corresponding gender and age group and less than the "obesity" cut-off point are considered overweight ; those whose BMI is greater than or equal to the "obesity" cut-off point of the corresponding gender and age group are considered obese . See Table 1 for details.

If you want to prevent childhood obesity, start by understanding the dangers of childhood obesity

Parents all know that eating and exercise are the two most important aspects of preventing obesity. In fact, before implementing weight loss, there is another prerequisite, which is mental awareness.

Childhood obesity not only affects children's appearance, but most importantly, it affects not only their health, but also their entire body from head to toe.

Parents, do you know

How many children have poor motor skills, poor physical fitness, and migraines due to being overweight?

How many children's psychological problems ( depression ) are caused by obesity?

How many children’s asthma, sleep disorders, and coronary heart disease are related to obesity?

How many girls have suffered from infertility and polycystic syndrome because of this?

How many boys develop fatty liver, gout , etc. as a result?

Only when parents and children fully realize the harm of obesity and accept a healthy lifestyle from the bottom of their hearts can they be consistent in their actions and truly achieve unity of knowledge and action.

Childhood obesity is harmful, so how can parents prevent it?

To prevent obesity, parents cannot simply say "you can't eat this, you can't eat that", but should have a balanced diet, not eat too much, and achieve a balance between eating and moving. In order to curb the prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents, cultivate healthy eating habits among children and adolescents, and promote healthy growth, the National Health Commission recently formulated the "2024 Dietary Guidelines for Obesity in Children and Adolescents".

According to the theories of nutritional science, traditional Chinese medicine and the growth and development characteristics of children and adolescents, and based on the discussion and consensus of the expert group, the following principles and suggestions are proposed for the daily diet of children and adolescents with obesity in order to effectively prevent obesity in our children.

Children should eat the right amount of food every day

Adjust appropriately based on the growth, development and physical activity level of children and adolescents

Recommended daily intake of various foods for normal-weight children and adolescents of different ages

The energy requirements for moderate intensity physical activity levels are shown in the table below.

In addition, parents should choose foods with lower energy for their children.

High nutrient density

Foods with a low glycemic index

Eat less high-fat food

High in salt and sugar

and foods with higher energy density

See the table below for examples of various food choices

Image source: Internet

References:

1. Expert consensus on obesity prevention and treatment among Chinese residents[J]. Journal of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Medical Edition), 2022, 43(04): 619-631.

2. Shi Huijing. Strengthen the research on risk factors of overweight and obesity in children in early life[J]. Chinese School Health, 2022, 43(06): 801-804.

3. World Obesity Report 2024

4. Growth Standards for Children Under 7 Years Old (WS/T 423)

5. Screening for overweight and obesity in school-age children and adolescents (WS/T 586)

6. National Health Commission's "2024 Dietary Guidelines for Children and Adolescents with Obesity"

7. Dietary Guidelines for Chinese Residents (2022)

8. "Dietary Reference Intakes for Chinese Residents (2023 Edition)"

9. Expert consensus on diagnosis, assessment and management of childhood obesity in China