Patient's question:
My son is 8 years old this year. He loves to eat a lot, and now he weighs 100 pounds, making him a standard fatty. For his obesity, we have tried many methods, but none have been effective. I want to know the specific causes of childhood obesity. What are the causes of childhood obesity?Doctor's answer:
Simple obesity tends to run in families, and many obese children have a family history of obesity. If one parent is obese, the probability of the child being obese is approximately 40% to 50%. If both parents are thin, the probability of their child being obese is only 9% to 14%. This is mainly because the child's activity and dietary habits may be influenced by the parents and the family. Additionally, the basic energy expenditure level for rest and activity is determined by genetics. Some obese families have a lower basic metabolic rate. Obese children with two or one obese parents have a basic metabolic rate about 10% lower than that of normal-weight children. The energy expenditure from physical activity is less than twice that of children born to normal-weight parents. A sedentary lifestyle is a significant risk factor for obesity.