OBESITY
EDUCATION AND PREVENTION
By Harshini Chandrabose
Obesity can and should be prevented !!
What?
• Obesity in childhood is an important risk factor for
obesity in adulthood and up to 80% of them become
obese adults.
• There has been a rapid rise in the incidence of obesity,
primarily as a result of changes in lifestyle (diet and
activity levels).
• Obesity can develop only when energy intake is in
excess of energy expenditure, with the differences in
input and output buffered primarily by changes in fat
stores.
• This phenomenon of tracking warrants prevention and
early intervention.
Obesity can and should be prevented !!
Why?
• Prevention is always better than cure.
• Since treatment and outcome of therapy
are often disappointing, prevention and
identification of high-risk cases are of
utmost importance.
• Easier to screen and prevent than to reduce
and cure. Tracking of weight, height, BMI
& using simple charts like EHPA are some
simple parameters to look for.
Obesity can and should be prevented !!
How?
• Even though most of the cases are of Constitutional Obesity, “Not
all obesity can be cured with just physical exercise and weight
loss strategies“.
• So the awareness of the different causes of obesity should be
spread along with the risk factors like genetic predisposition, high
fat/calorie diet consumption.
• As Constitutional obesity is more common in infancy, around 6
years and in puberty, the parents/guardians must be informed
about the proper nutritional diet and tracking the weight of their
child.
• The essence is that providing a better nurturing environment during
intrauterine and postnatal life or rather starting from childhood and
adolescent life. Mothers may act as a real preventive strategy
against most adult onset diseases.
Obesity can and should be prevented !!
Continued.,
• The physician must identify the risk groups and advise
them on how to prevent obesity.
• Importance of Calorie restriction in diet should be
emphasised because burning calories is harder than
restricting calories. Eg. Running 9 km in an hour is 600
kcal which is present in two chocolate bars.
• Just a proper controlled diet plan cannot prevent
obesity, one has to have a proper lifestyle and proper
behaviour in sticking to the plan as it is not a short
sprint but a long run.
General Preventive Measures
• Exclusive breastfeeding till 6 months
of age.
• At-least 7–8 hours of sleep daily at
night.
• Save up the sweets for special
occasions.
• Never Skip breakfast. Have regular Obesity prevention guidelines from American Academy of
meals. Paediatrics recommends to Fight Childhood Obesity by ‘5-2-
• Break your meals. Take 5 meals. 1-0’ rule. Accordingly, children can consume above 5 servings
of fruits and vegetables, screen time below 2 hours, participate
Include healthy snacks like fruits. in one hour of physical activity, and consume 0 sugar-
sweetened beverages daily.
Smart Snacking Technique
Other Preventive Measures
• Avoidance of snacking, inactivity, and screen exposure
while eating.
• “Prepare the food, See the food, Eat the food”
Policy should be followed.
• Avoid rigorous dieting or starving as it can lead to
bingeing as a result of low leptin levels.
• Don’t forget to take care and embrace your body. Do
not stress.
• Identify red flag signs for psychosocial impact
(school absenteeism, body shaming or teasing by peers
regarding weight/appearance, persistent anxiety,
depression or self-harm, anger outbursts, substance
abuse, eating disorders) and family stressors.
Warning signs
Considerations for Specialist
Referral
• Early-onset obesity (before 5 years).
• Rapid progression.
• Delayed development, growth, and
puberty.
• Neurological features
• Abnormal metabolic workup
References
Text:
• Chapter 17 - Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders, OP Ghai, Essential Paediatrics - Edition 8.
• Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP)- STANDARD TREATMENT GUIDELINES 2022- Childhood Obesity
• Chapter 4.3 Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome Nutrition and Child Development By KE Elizabeth - Edition 4.
Website:
• https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/obesity-prevention-source/obesity-prevention/
• https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/11209-weight-control-and-obesity
• https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/eat-well/how-to-eat-a-balanced-diet/eight-tips-for-healthy-eating/
