Such children are more prone to developing hypertension, blood pressure
Picture for representational purpose
Chennai: Childhood obesity is on the rise, with over 20 per cent of adolescents in Chennai obese, according to a study conducted in 2010-2013 by the Madras Diabetes Research Foundation and Dr Mohan’s Diabetes Specialties Centre. Dr Dharmaraj, diabetologist, Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital, says, “Earlier, children were diagnosed only with Type 1-diabetes, a condition where they don’t produce insulin. But now, children are also diagnosed for Type 2-diabetes, the major cause for concern being their poor eating habits and sedentary lifestyle.”
“The genetic factor and environment too play a major role: Eighty per cent of children who are obese in their teens are in adulthood too,” says Dr Shivraj, consultant diabetologist, Fortis Malar Hospital.“Such children are more prone to developing hypertension, blood pressure and cardiac problems while girls could develop polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a condition that affects the ovaries and leads to infertility,” he continues.
However, diabetologists say that it is difficult to make obese children diet. If obese, they tended to be depressed, isolated and therefore, prone to over
eating.“Doctors therefore follow a moderate diet pattern, accompanied by vigorous physical exercise,” says nutritionist Meenakshi Bajaj, Tamil Nadu Government Multi Super Specialty Hospital.
The study was conducted on about 18,955 children between 6-17 years from 51 schools in the city, including 31 private schools, where obesity was at 21.6 per cent.Head and chief diabetologist of M.V. Hospital for Diabetes, Dr Vijay Viswanathan says, “After the study, the healthcare manual designed by CBSE and WHO, was in use in five CBSE schools in Chennai.” The children’s eating habits changed and they were exercising regularly too.
Dr Poonam Khetrapal Singh, Regional Director for WHO South-East Asia Region, says, “People can adopt these lifestyle changes if they have improved access to areas for physical activities. Healthy food should be made available at affordable rates.”
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