Childhood Obesity - A Pandemic and Global Health Crisis

Abstract

Children and adolescents are most likely to suffer from pediatric obesity or childhood obesity. The prevalence of obesity among adults is approximately 43 million, while the prevalence of overweight and abdominal obesity among children and adolescents is 21 - 24%. Specific ethnic groups have the highest prevalence of obesity. Children and adults who are obese are more likely to suffer from heart disease. Among adults, obesity causes hypertension, hyperlipidemia, liver and kidney diseases, and insulin resistance in children and adolescents. The developed world faces a major health concern when it comes to obesity among children. Obesity has been reported to be increasing in males and females of all pediatric ages, as well as across racial and ethnic groups. Obesity is influenced by a variety of factors, including eating habits, genetics, environment, metabolism, and lifestyle. Less than 10% of obesity cases are genetic or hormonal, with over 90% being idiopathic. A person becomes obese when they consume more calories than they burn, which is usually due to overeating and not exercising enough. Breathing disorders, sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancers such as prostate, bowel, breast and uterine, heart disease, diabetes (type 2 in children), depression, liver and gallbladder problems, gastro-esophageal reflux disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, stroke, and joint diseases such as osteoarthritis, knee pain, and low back pain are some of the symptoms of obesity. Pediatric obesity is influenced by environmental factors, behavioral factors, such as convenience food consumption, genetic factors, and family factors. Increasing physical activity and reducing calorie intake can help combat obesity. Weight is influenced by endogenous molecules such as leptin, mitochondrial uncoupling proteins, and hypothalamic melanocortin 4 receptors. Molecular targets such as these are potentially useful for pharmacologically manipulating obesity. Compared to a placebo, sibutramine and orlistat produce modest weight loss, ranging from 3 to 8% in adults with obesity. Insulin resistance and hyperinsulinemia are treated with metformin in children and adolescents. Hypothalamic obesity is treated with octreotide. Severe childhood obesity is treated with bariatric surgery. Pediatric obesity is described in the present review in terms of its causes, symptoms, prevention, and treatment