Childhood Obesity ⁢on the Rise: Expert⁣ Warns ⁤of Long-Term Consequences

As the incidence of‍ obesity in children​ and adolescents continues to increase, ⁣experts are ‍calling for ⁣caution and emphasizing the need for thorough management to prevent long-term health consequences.

Professor Lee Soo-jung of the Pediatrics and Adolescent Department at ‍Uijeongbu St. Mary’s Hospital ⁤notes that children and⁤ adolescents are ⁤prone ⁢to weight gain during ⁤vacation due to disrupted daily habits, such as consuming high-calorie snacks more frequently. She stresses that excessive⁢ weight gain⁣ during⁢ this period of growth can lead to ‍obesity, which can persist into ‌adulthood, making thorough management essential for⁢ health.

According to the ‘2023 Obesity Fact Sheet’ published by the ‌Korean Society​ for‌ the Study of Obesity, ‌the incidence of obesity in children and adolescents in Korea was 19.3%, with 1 out‌ of 5 individuals being obese. Childhood and adolescent ⁤obesity is medically defined⁤ as ‍a body‌ mass index (BMI) that exceeds the ⁢top 5% on ​the growth chart for each sex and age. Abdominal obesity, which is more harmful‍ to health, has also been steadily​ increasing, reaching an⁢ incidence rate of 17.3%.

The ⁣reason why childhood and ⁣adolescent⁤ obesity requires special management​ is that 50% of‌ childhood​ obesity and 80% of adolescent obesity directly lead to adult ⁢obesity. Obesity can​ be⁤ divided into two types: fat cell proliferation⁣ type obesity, where the number of fat cells‌ increases, and fat cell hypertrophy type obesity, where the size of fat cells ⁣increases. Once ⁤the number of fat cells increases, it does ‍not decrease ⁣even⁢ if weight is lost. Childhood obesity⁤ is mostly adipose cell proliferation type obesity, making it more likely to lead to adult obesity.

Childhood obesity can cause complications in various fields, including nutritional intake and metabolic processes such as fatty liver, ‍hypertension, and diabetes, as well as precocious puberty,‌ which can ‍lead⁣ to rapid‍ growth and early termination. ‌It can also lead to mental health problems⁤ such‌ as depression or low self-esteem.

To treat and prevent childhood and adolescent obesity, it​ is essential to accurately ⁢assess the⁢ condition in⁣ advance and guide children‌ to lose weight steadily and gradually, considering that they are‍ in a growth period.‌ Professor Lee⁣ Soo-jung⁢ emphasizes that treatment ⁤should secure the golden time through ⁣early and​ appropriate examination and treatment, rather than simply ​diagnosing through body mass index. She also stresses​ the importance of⁢ distinguishing​ between subcutaneous fat⁢ obesity and visceral ⁤fat obesity, checking‍ the⁣ exact health status, and comprehensively considering lifestyle habits to‍ decide on ⁣the ⁢appropriate treatment direction.

Early and thorough management of childhood and adolescent obesity is crucial to prevent ‌long-term health ​consequences. By understanding⁢ the risks and⁤ taking proactive steps, parents and caregivers‌ can help children develop healthy​ habits and reduce⁣ the risk ​of obesity.