It is the condition in which children tend to have an excessive accumulation of body fat. Natural energy reserve stored in fatty tissue exceeds healthy limits.
Body fat means body weight.
- BMI is the most widely used parameter to define.
- BMI between 85th – 95th percentile falls in the overweight range.
Obesity has been called the new worldwide epidemic by many doctors. Obesity is easily the world’s fastest-growing health concern.
Causes
- Sedentary lifestyle along with unhealthy eating habits.
- Most children are driven to school or take a bus
- Most children use escalators or elevators rather than chairs
- Formula feeding other than breastfeeding
- Genetic predisposition
- Many children stay indoors right after school due to having both parents working
- TV reviewing by children increases significantly
- The introduction of video games and computer mobile games has diverted children from playing sports or physical games with other children
- Physical education classes and extracurricular sports in schools have decreased.
- Introduction of fast food and junk food
Adverse effects of obesity
- Hypertension
- Diabetes mellitus
- Psychological/mental health concerns: ridicule, embarrassment, depression, Low self-esteem
- Asthma
- Anemia
- Sleep apnea
- Liver problems
- High cholesterol
- GERD
- Social isolation and teasing
- PCOS
- Orthopedic: Developing bones and cartilage cannot support excess weight.
Dietary management
- Do not skip breakfast.
- Eat regular meals
- Eat plenty of vegetables and fruits: Vegetables tend to be lower in calories than fruits
- Eat whole fruit instead of drinking juice.
- Eat high-fiber foods: Fruits, vegetables, oats, whole grain bread, brown rice, beans, peas, and lentils.
- Do not stick to junk food.
- Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV
- All foods in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.
- Plan healthy snacks at specific times.
Activity management
Activities that can be done as a family serve not only to facilitate bonding as a family unit but also improves the health of all family members.
- Like: family hikes and picnics at local parks with playground equipment.
- Basketball games
- Family swimming and skating
- Dance, clap, and sing with children
- Gardening, yard work, and exercise
Ayurvedic approach to obesity
Athisthoulya is described as an excessive accumulation of media (fat tissue) and mama( muscle tissue). It is considered one of santharpanotha vikara (disease due to the consumption of excessive calories).
Causes
- Due to ahara(food): overeating, heavy food intake, cold and unctuous food intake, meat consumption
- Due to lack of activities: Daytime sleep, like laying on bed always, bath after food intake, sleeping after food intake.
- Due to mental activities: Happiness, detachment from all desires.
Symptoms
- Breathlessness even on little exertion/physical activity.
- Lack of interest in doing work
- Profuse sweating with foul body odor
- Excessive hunger
- Feeling of tiredness
- Excessive sleep
Samana (palliative) treatment
- Fasting –Langhana therapy-different types of fasting methods are explained in Ayurveda
- Ama pachanga-Oral usage of digestives to augment the fat metabolism
- Non-nourishing heavy diet is advised.
Sodhana(purificatory) treatment
- Vamana
- Virechana
- Vasthi
- Udwartanam