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Pediatrician

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What causes obesity in children?

Alexey Portnov, medical expert
Last reviewed: 19.10.2021

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In the vast majority of children, obesity is not associated with hereditary or endocrine diseases, although the role of hereditary predisposition to obesity is considered established. The leading role in the formation of a positive energy balance has genetically determined features of metabolism and the structure of adipose tissue:

increased number of adipocytes and their accelerated differentiation from fibroblasts;
congenital increased activity of lipogenesis enzymes and reduced lipolysis;
increasing the intensity of fat formation from glucose;
decreased leptin formation in adipocytes or a defect of receptors to it.

To increase the body weight of the child lead:

excess nutrition of the mother during pregnancy;
artificial feeding of a child in the first year of life;
increased consumption of high-calorie food products of industrial production;
rare meals, mainly in the afternoon;
formed habit of overeating.

Chronic stress (conflicts in the family, complex child-parent relations, difficulties in schooling) is almost always compensated for by a change in the child's eating behavior in the form of increased appetite, increased intake of food, large volumes of food intake. The role of dietary habits in the formation of obesity in preschool and school-age children is established.

To reduce physical activity lead:

passive lifestyle;
long viewing of telecasts;
computer enthusiasm;
ubiquitous use of vehicles with limited walking tours.

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