Childhood Obesity: Causes, Health Risks, and Treatment
Childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health or well-being. As methods to determine body fat directly are difficult, the diagnosis of obesity is often based on BMI [**1**]. It is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings [**2**]. The prevalence of obesity is very high in high-income countries, and many of them have declared obesity an epidemic [**3**]. In the US, obesity is considered a major health problem. Half the population is obese. Among adults, more than 60% are overweight, and more than 30% are obese. Among children, over 17% are obese [**4**]. In the UK, among adults, 23% of men and 25% of women are obese. Among children from 2 to 15 years, 5.5% of boys and 7.2% of girls are obese, and 22% of boys and 28% of girls are overweight [**5**]. The low-income countries are showing the same trend as the high-income countries in increasing rates of obesity. And the dual-burden households are very common, where underweight and overweight coexist among the children [**6**]. Causes of Obesity: There isn't one single cause of childhood obesity. Rather, a variety and combination of factors are at play. Several studies have investigated the reasons for increased rates of childhood obesity, with more studies ongoing. The following are contributing factors. Lack of Physical Activity: Many studies show that a sedentary lifestyle is a significant contributor to obesity. • One study showed that adolescents who reported more than two hours of daily screen time were 1.8 times more likely to be obese or overweight [**7**]. • Researchers have suggested that more time spent in front of the television is associated with poor food choices that lead to overweight and obesity [**8**]. Unhealthy Eating Patterns: Poor nutrition choices of calorie-dense foods have also been linked to childhood obesity. Many studies have found a relationship between certain dietary behaviors, such as consuming sugary beverages, and obesity [**9**]. In addition, studies have shown that replacing sugar-containing beverages with noncaloric beverages reduces weight gain and fat accumulation in children [**10**]. Keep in mind that the category of sugary beverages includes: • Soft drinks (also called soda or soda pop) • Fruit and juice drinks, including lemonade, fruit punch, and sweetened powdered drinks • Flavored waters • Sports drinks • Energy drinks • Sweetened coffee drinks • Sweetened tea drinks Genetics: Genetic factors can also contribute to the development of childhood obesity. Many of these factors are just now being researched or discovered. For example, scientists have discovered that the FTO gene may contribute to binge eating and the development of obesity in adolescents [**11**]. Environmental Factor: Several environmental factors are thought to contribute to childhood obesity, including the following [**12**]: • Television commercials and other social media messaging promote unhealthy foods, sweet drinks, and eating habits. • It is estimated that 40% to 50% of the money spent on food is spent on food eaten outside the home (at restaurants, cafeterias, sporting events, etc.). These venues offer larger portions than are eaten at home, contributing excessive calories. Inadequate Sleep: Studies show children who sleep less are more likely to be overweight or obese, and the risk increases with shorter sleep duration. A review of 17 studies found that children of all ages who slept less than the recommended amount had a 58% increased risk of being overweight or obese [**13**]. Stress: Personal stress may raise the risk of childhood obesity. One study examined how school-related stress affected the weight of children aged 10 to 12 years old. Researchers found 27% of study participants were overweight or obese, and more than 80% of these children had a medium or high level of stress [**14**] Mental Health Issue: Mental health and obesity are linked and have been shown to affect each other. Studies show that people with depression are more likely to develop obesity, and people with obesity are more likely to have depression [**15**] Medication: Certain medications that children may take are more likely to cause weight gain, such as [**16**] : • Antidepressants • Steroids • Birth control, including injected forms • Diabetes medications • Drugs for psychosis • Anti-seizure medications Health Risk: There are numerous and serious short-term and long-term health risks associated with obesity in children. Children with obesity are more likely to have [**17**],[**18**]: • Asthma • Sleep Apnea • Hypertension • High blood Cholesterol • Increased risk for future cardiovascular disease • Increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes • Bone and joint problems • Depression • Anxiety Treatment: It can be challenging for parents when their child is diagnosed with obesity. If you think your child might have an unhealthy weight, consider speaking with a pediatrician about your concerns. They can offer appropriate guidance and practical strategies tailored to your child’s needs to support healthy weight management. Encourage physical activity: Physically active children have stronger muscles and bones, better cardiovascular fitness, and lower body fat than those who are inactive. Encourage regular physical activity by making it a family affair: Walk the family pet before and after school, ride bikes together, go to the playground, or sign them up for sports or dance. Support healthy eating habits: As a parent, model healthy eating habits yourself and make healthy foods available at home. Offer a variety of fruits and vegetables throughout the day. Encourage them to eat a variety of vegetables and fruits, whole grains, lean protein foods, and low-fat and fat-free dairy products. Eat at home more often: Don’t underestimate the power of eating a home-cooked meal around the family table. Not only does this encourage quality time with your children, but studies have shown that there are many health benefits of eating at home. • A study shows meals cooked at home often have higher dietary quality. Researchers found children and adolescents consumed significantly higher intakes of protein, fiber, calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins A, B6, B12, C, and E [**19**]. Set a consistent sleep routine: Children who don't get enough sleep are at risk for unhealthy weight gain. Researchers are still learning how sleep is linked to weight gain, but two possibilities include a lack of sleep causing a child to eat more or to be less physically active because they're tired. Reduce screen time: Too much screen time can lead to poor sleep, weight gain, lower grades in school, and poor mental health. Make a family screen time plan, such as limiting the amount of screen time. Turn off screens an hour before bed, and remove screens from children's bedrooms [**18**].
A Growing Concern: Modifiable Risk Factors Fuel NCD Rise in Bangladeshi Young Adults.
The 21st-century world is facing the terrifying threat of non-communicable disease, which is preventable and caused by an unhealthy lifestyle. Now this has become the most significant public health crisis globally. The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME) has published statistics that say the worldwide noncommunicable disease death rate has grown rapidly during the last 3 decades [**1**]. Diseases like heart disease, neoplasms, long-term lung disease, and diabetes are now the primary causes of death and illness worldwide. A 2025 study by WHO discovered that 43 million people lose their lives every year, which is 75% of all deaths by NCD around the world [**2**]. This is one of the most significant reasons for the decline in life expectancy and global premature death, and 86% of premature deaths occur in low- and middle-income countries like Bangladesh [**3**]. Evidence-based research says continuous irregular lifestyle choices and behavior are deeply linked to it, such as lack of physical activity, substance use, irregular sleep patterns, irregular diet and diet pattern, screen time, etc. These lifestyle choices can influence and accelerate their progression and occurrence in our bodies. Young age is a mentionable phase of irregular lifestyle, which is responsible for developing NCD among the young population and premature deaths. For example, People who are overweight are at 2.47 times higher risk of having high blood pressure compared to people of normal weight [**4**]. A meta-analysis says that people who smoke have a lung cancer relative risk (RR) of 7.33, and they also have a higher risk of cardiovascular disease [**5**], [**6**]. A recent study has claimed that poor sleep patterns and insufficient sleep can increase psychological discomfort and a 1.82 times higher risk of cardiovascular disease. And it also contributes to fat deposits in the human body [**7**], [**8**], [**9**]. Another meta-analysis of prospective studies says people who have high salt intake have more stroke risk (RR 1.23) than those with lower salt intake [**10**]. As a middle-income country, Bangladesh also suffers from the burden of NCDs and their serious conditions, with the annual death rate from NCDs 67%, most of which occur early in life (premature) [**12**]. The number of people with NCDs and their risk factors is increasing quickly. This situation creates serious challenges for both the public health system and the country’s economic growth. The notable common behavioral factors among Bangladeshi young adults are lack of physical activity, unhealthy diets, inadequate fruit and vegetable consumption, daily soft drink consumption, additional sugar/salt intake, and tobacco use. So to prevent this situation, we need strong public health plans, programs, and laws.
A New Beginning for a Healthier Bangladesh
As-salamu Alaykum! We are happy to introduce our much-desired dream public health organization on World Health Day, which aims to build a healthier nation with knowledge, research, and meaningful community action. Better health outcomes are possible when global and national public health knowledge is connected to real-world community needs. At Bangladesh Public Health Alliance, we focus on understanding health problems at the community level. We believe that every community has unique challenges, and through careful research and evaluation, we can identify those challenges and develop effective, evidence-based solutions. We are committed to promoting health education, raising awareness, and supporting informed decision-making that improves lives. By working closely with communities, we aim to turn knowledge into action and ideas into impact. Our vision is a healthier Bangladesh where every individual has access to the knowledge, resources, and support needed to live a healthy life. We invite you to join us on this journey as we work together to create a stronger, healthier future for all.
Page 1 of 1 — 3 articles total