Childhood obesity is rising due to factors like genetics, unhealthy diets, and low physical activity, along with socioeconomic and environmental influences. The condition leads to serious health risks and has seen a global increase since 1980.
The increase in childhood obesity can be attributed to multiple interrelated factors including genetics, the environment, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle choices, particularly levels of physical activity and diet. Excessive calorie intake without adequate physical exercise results in stored body fat, escalating obesity rates. It's also observed that children with overweight parents and family history might have a genetic predisposition to obesity.
The condition has been exacerbated due to the presence of food deserts in urban areas, reliance on high calorie fast food due to limited access to healthier options, and increased sedentariness driven by technological change.
Additionally, global shifts in nutrition with significant deviations from natural diets have played a crucial role. Overeating and malnutrition continue to contribute to obesity, which is not only an issue in developed countries but also a growing concern worldwide. The World Health Organisation highlights the doubling of obesity rates since 1980, indicating that current lifestyles significantly deviate from earlier, healthier patterns. The consequences of obesity include heightened risks for conditions such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and certain cancers.