Risk Factors And Causes Of Childhood Obesity

Lack Of Physical Activity

In a world centered around social media, gaming consoles, laptops, cell phones, and television, it’s unfortunately not uncommon for children to experience a lack of physical activity. A lack of exercise contributes to obesity among children, as well as a variety of obesity-related health conditions. Many negative effects are associated with a lack of exercise in children, including weakened muscle and bone development, the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, and increased cholesterol and blood pressure levels.

The more a child becomes less physically active, the higher the risk they will become overweight. Overweight children tend to suffer from feelings of inadequacy, shame, and poor self-esteem, which only contributes to their lack of motivation to exercise regularly. For parents who have children who don’t enjoy participating in sports or exercises, they can slowly encourage them by participating in certain activities with them. Schedule a family hike or a walk through the woods together. They can find ways to make physical activity feel more adventurous and use the opportunity to build a connection with their child.

Continue reading to reveal an incredibly prevalent cause of childhood obesity many forget about.

Boredom

The right kind of boredom in a child might lead to the quest for creativity, but the wrong type may be linked to a variety of self-destructive behaviors such as obesity. Most children tend to be curious about the world around them, but in a technological-driven world where kids are used to being entertained on constantly, it’s not uncommon for feelings of being bored to surface, especially when screen time is limited.

Kids used to being entertained by movies, smartphones, and video games may struggle with the ability to use their imaginations to fuel their creative outlets, and they may often use food as a vehicle to escape being bored. Children who always complain about being bored may need their parents’ direction or ideas. In some instances, kids may be conveying they need their parents’ attention. Rather than letting their child fulfill their boredom through eating, parents can come up with some ideas about how they can engage with their child. They can ask about their favorite book or provide a small project for them to do. With healthy interaction, their child may be less likely to remedy their sense of being bored by taking a trip to the refrigerator.

Continue reading to reveal the next primary cause of childhood obesity.