Are we setting up our children to be diabetic?

Childhood obesity in India has reached epidemic proportions. A study by the National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI) estimates that by 2030, almost thirty percent (27.8% to be precise) of overweight people in the world will be Indians. That’s roughly 5% of the world’s population!

These findings were reiterated by a study, conducted by the Indian Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in 2019-2020. It found a drastic rise in obesity among children below five years of age in 20 out of the 22 states, where the study was conducted. As per the, WHO a BMI of 25+ is considered overweight and 30+ is obese. It’s clear that India is leading this depressing race for global leadership in obesity.

It is no coincidence that India is also leading in the race to become the next diabetes capital of the world. The connection between obesity and metabolic disorders, like diabetes, Blood Pressure, and heart disease, has already been established. So what will the future be like with a massive young but overweight population coming around the bend.

The medical implications are enormous and so are the financial considerations. It is imperative that this problem be tackled at the micro-level, i.e. in every family. But before we look at treatments, let us understand what has caused this situation to begin with.

What are the main causes of childhood obesity?

Childhood obesity has become a serious problem in recent years. There is no single cause of childhood obesity. There are several inter-related factors, including biological, developmental, behavioral, genetic, and environmental ones.

Recent studies also point to epigenetics (the effect of behavior and environment on how genes work) and biological factors like gut microbiome, as factors that are contributing to the growing obese population.

The environment plays a big role, as economic prosperity brings a change in diet from nutritious yet simple fare to modern foods that contain excessive amounts of fat, sugar/salt, and preservatives. Urbanization has also brings a more easy, sedentary lifestyle with low to no physical activity.

1. Nurture or Nature?

If a parent or grandparent is overweight, does it follow that the child too will be overweight? The evidence certainly points in that direction. Overweight or obese mothers are more likely to have children who will be overweight by the time they are four.

This is regardless of their BMI at two. On the other hand, studies show that children born in families where neither parent is overweight are less likely to be overweight. This is of course by no means definitive, as there are many other factors that have a bearing too. For instance: stress.

2. Stress

Children living in a stressful environment are more likely to be overweight than those living with less familial stress.

3. Parental Guidance

The parent’s understanding of the role nutrition and physical activity play are other factors, as are school and community influences, such as access to fast food restaurants, excessive screen time, whereas proximity to parks is known to reduce the risk of being overweight.

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https://www.freedomfromdiabetes.org/blog/post/obese-kids-future-diabetics/2718

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