&lt;h1 data-section-id=&quot;1vww4qp&quot; data-start=&quot;141&quot; data-end=&quot;201&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Is Childhood Obesity and What Are the Signs?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h1&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;203&quot; data-end=&quot;532&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Growing kids come in all shapes and sizes. Some grow tall quickly, while others develop a bit more slowly&amp;mdash;and that&amp;rsquo;s perfectly normal. However, sometimes children carry &lt;strong data-start=&quot;372&quot; data-end=&quot;430&quot;&gt;more body fat than is healthy for their age and height&lt;/strong&gt;, which is known as &lt;strong data-start=&quot;450&quot; data-end=&quot;491&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;hover:entity-accent entity-underline inline cursor-pointer align-baseline&quot;&gt;&lt;span class=&quot;whitespace-normal&quot;&gt;Childhood obesity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/strong&gt;.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;534&quot; data-end=&quot;875&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Childhood obesity isn&amp;rsquo;t simply about appearance or &amp;ldquo;baby fat.&amp;rdquo; It&amp;rsquo;s a medical condition that can affect a child&amp;rsquo;s health both now and later in life. Extra weight during childhood can increase the risk of developing health conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and other long-term problems.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;877&quot; data-end=&quot;1166&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Doctors usually evaluate a child&amp;rsquo;s growth using a measurement called &lt;strong data-start=&quot;946&quot; data-end=&quot;971&quot;&gt;Body Mass Index (BMI)&lt;/strong&gt;. BMI compares a child&amp;rsquo;s height and weight with other children of the same age and sex to help determine whether their weight falls within a healthy range.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;877&quot; data-end=&quot;1166&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;1jge5mm&quot; data-start=&quot;1168&quot; data-end=&quot;1217&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Signs that may be linked to childhood obesity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1219&quot; data-end=&quot;1423&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Unlike some health conditions, childhood obesity doesn&amp;rsquo;t always have obvious symptoms. A child may simply appear heavier than others their age. However, some physical or health clues may appear over time.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1425&quot; data-end=&quot;1452&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Possible signs can include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1456&quot; data-end=&quot;1514&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Extra body weight compared with children of the same age&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1517&quot; data-end=&quot;1567&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Difficulty keeping up during physical activities&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1570&quot; data-end=&quot;1607&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Shortness of breath during exercise&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1610&quot; data-end=&quot;1657&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Feeling tired more easily than other children&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1660&quot; data-end=&quot;1704&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Trouble sleeping or breathing during sleep&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;1707&quot; data-end=&quot;1757&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Darkened skin patches around the neck or armpits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1759&quot; data-end=&quot;1972&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some children may also experience emotional effects. For example, they may feel embarrassed about their body, experience teasing at school, or struggle with self-confidence.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;1759&quot; data-end=&quot;1972&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;gffja5&quot; data-start=&quot;1974&quot; data-end=&quot;2005&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Why early attention matters&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2007&quot; data-end=&quot;2076&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Childhood obesity can sometimes lead to health complications such as:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2080&quot; data-end=&quot;2097&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Type 2 diabetes&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2100&quot; data-end=&quot;2121&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;High blood pressure&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2124&quot; data-end=&quot;2142&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;High cholesterol&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2145&quot; data-end=&quot;2157&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Joint pain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;2160&quot; data-end=&quot;2200&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Breathing problems such as sleep apnea&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2202&quot; data-end=&quot;2356&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Children who develop obesity early in life are also more likely to continue struggling with weight into adulthood.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2358&quot; data-end=&quot;2543&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;The good news is that with supportive lifestyle habits and early guidance from healthcare professionals, many children can develop healthier routines and improve their long-term health.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2358&quot; data-end=&quot;2543&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

&lt;p&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;rd8a84&quot; data-start=&quot;2572&quot; data-end=&quot;2613&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;What Causes Childhood Obesity?&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2615&quot; data-end=&quot;2849&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Childhood obesity usually doesn&amp;rsquo;t have a single cause. Instead, it develops from a combination of factors that influence how much energy a child consumes and how much they burn through activity.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2851&quot; data-end=&quot;3005&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;In simple terms, when children take in more calories than their bodies use for growth, play, and daily activities, the extra energy is stored as body fat.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;2851&quot; data-end=&quot;3005&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;jzq6fp&quot; data-start=&quot;3007&quot; data-end=&quot;3062&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Common factors that contribute to childhood obesity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3064&quot; data-end=&quot;3111&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Several everyday factors can increase the risk:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3113&quot; data-end=&quot;3336&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3113&quot; data-end=&quot;3130&quot;&gt;Eating habits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3130&quot; data-end=&quot;3133&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Foods high in sugar, saturated fat, and calories&amp;mdash;such as fast food, sugary drinks, candy, and processed snacks&amp;mdash;can contribute to weight gain when eaten frequently.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3338&quot; data-end=&quot;3582&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3338&quot; data-end=&quot;3363&quot;&gt;Low physical activity&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3363&quot; data-end=&quot;3366&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Children who spend long periods sitting&amp;mdash;watching television, playing video games, or using mobile devices&amp;mdash;may burn fewer calories than those who stay active throughout the day.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3584&quot; data-end=&quot;3859&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3584&quot; data-end=&quot;3613&quot;&gt;Family lifestyle patterns&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3613&quot; data-end=&quot;3616&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Eating habits and activity levels often develop within the family environment. If healthy meals and physical activity are not part of everyday routines, children may be more likely to gain excess weight.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;3861&quot; data-end=&quot;4078&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;3861&quot; data-end=&quot;3893&quot;&gt;Stress and emotional factors&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;3893&quot; data-end=&quot;3896&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Stress&amp;mdash;whether from school, family situations, or other pressures&amp;mdash;can sometimes lead to emotional eating or cravings for high-calorie foods.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4080&quot; data-end=&quot;4309&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #0000ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong data-start=&quot;4080&quot; data-end=&quot;4104&quot;&gt;Genetics and biology&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;br data-start=&quot;4104&quot; data-end=&quot;4107&quot; /&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Some children may inherit genes that make them more likely to gain weight easily, or they may have hormonal conditions that affect how their body stores energy.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4080&quot; data-end=&quot;4309&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;gkctw0&quot; data-start=&quot;4311&quot; data-end=&quot;4352&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Other influences that can play a role&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4354&quot; data-end=&quot;4435&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Additional factors that may increase the likelihood of childhood obesity include:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4439&quot; data-end=&quot;4472&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Limited access to healthy foods&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4475&quot; data-end=&quot;4544&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Living in environments with fewer safe places for physical activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4547&quot; data-end=&quot;4597&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Certain medications that may lead to weight gain&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4600&quot; data-end=&quot;4619&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Poor sleep habits&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;4622&quot; data-end=&quot;4683&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Social and economic challenges affecting diet and lifestyle&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4685&quot; data-end=&quot;4900&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;These influences can interact with each other, which is why childhood obesity is considered a &lt;strong data-start=&quot;4779&quot; data-end=&quot;4807&quot;&gt;complex health condition&lt;/strong&gt; rather than something caused by a single behavior.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4685&quot; data-end=&quot;4900&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;h2 data-section-id=&quot;12tx8tq&quot; data-start=&quot;4902&quot; data-end=&quot;4933&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #ff99cc;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Supporting healthier habits&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/h2&gt;
&lt;hr /&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;4935&quot; data-end=&quot;5004&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #cc99ff;&quot;&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Parents and caregivers can help children build healthier routines by:&lt;/strong&gt;&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;ul&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5008&quot; data-end=&quot;5047&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Encouraging regular physical activity&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5050&quot; data-end=&quot;5126&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Offering balanced meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and protein&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5129&quot; data-end=&quot;5181&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Limiting sugary drinks and highly processed snacks&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5184&quot; data-end=&quot;5232&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Reducing screen time and promoting active play&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;li data-start=&quot;5235&quot; data-end=&quot;5307&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Creating a positive, supportive environment around food and body image&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/li&gt;
&lt;/ul&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5309&quot; data-end=&quot;5440&quot;&gt;&lt;span style=&quot;color: #99ccff;&quot;&gt;Small lifestyle changes made as a family can make a big difference in helping children develop healthy habits that last a lifetime.&lt;/span&gt;&lt;/p&gt;
&lt;p data-start=&quot;5309&quot; data-end=&quot;5440&quot;&gt;&amp;nbsp;&lt;/p&gt;

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