Causes of Childhood Obesity

There can be many causes of childhood obesity. A combination of factors contribute to childhood obesity, which include the following:

1) Increased birth weight

2) Obesity in parents: Genetic inheritance plays a major role in childhood obesity. It runs in families, and obesity in one or both parents is a major cause of childhood obesity.

3) Physical Inactivity: A child who is in habit of using computers, playing video games or watching television for long hours without doing any physical activity is prone to becoming obese.

4) Socioeconomic Status: Socioeconomic status has also become one of the major causes of childhood obesity. A child born to parents who do not work or earn less is at high risk of becoming obese.

Causes of Childhood obesity

5) Overeating Snacks: Children usually eat too much while watching television or due to peer pressure. 

6) Bad Eating Habits: Eating pre-prepared, heavily processed foods, which are high in fat, calories and sodium is one of the leading causes of childhood obesity. The lack of consumption of vegetables and fruit is mainly due to absence of the typical family dinner when both parents are working. Moreover, the tendency of children to eat fast food, even when they are not hungry, has become an additional cause of childhood obesity.

7) Environmental factor: Children get frequent exposure to fast food advertisements, which encourage them to eat high calorie foods. Even schools vend fast food, soda pops, desserts and candies.

Some of the causes of childhood obesity can be modified and obesity in children can be prevented. The best way to reduce the incidence of childhood obesity is to encourage children to increase the energy expenditure and decrease the energy intake. Parents should educate children to eat nutritious and healthy foods, low calorie snacks, and adopt a formal exercise program in order to avoid childhood obesity