Overview Of Childhood Obesity In India: Risk Factors And Preventive Strategies.
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Abstract
Obesity is a complex issue that affects children across all age groups. Childhood obesity has become a major global epidemic that imposes a substantial social and health burden worldwide. An estimated 4.0 million deaths and 120 million disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) in 2015 were attributable to an excess body mass index (BMI) globally. The global estimation by WHO showed that, in 2022, more than 390 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 years were overweight, including over 160 million living with obesity. The prevalence of overweight (including obesity) in this age group rose from 8% in 1990 to 20% in 2022, while the prevalence of obesity alone increased from 2% to 8% during the same period. The genetic factor accounts for less than 5% of cases of childhood obesity. Dietary factors such as fast-food consumption, sugary beverages, snack foods, portion size, skipping breakfasts have been studied extensively for its possible contributions to the rising rates of childhood obesity. Each additional hour of television per day increased the prevalence of obesity by 2%. Studies have shown that having an overweight mother and living in a single parent household are associated with overweight and childhood obesity. In India, we are still struggling with the burden of malnutrition but the issue of over-nutrition cannot be ignored. India should also formulate a national policy and partner with the private sector to end the childhood obesity epidemic...
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