More and more children become obese. Treatment requires the therapy of the whole family

It is worth talking about it, especially now, when children return home and to school from vacation, and they and their parents can be offered professional help of family medicine specialists. They approach each patient individually, each doctor has their own methods of treating obesity.

Doctors remind that the cause of obesity is, among others poor nutrition, physical inactivity, sleep deprivation and stress, which kids often eat with high-calorie snacks, such as crisps or sweets. This, in combination with sitting at school first and then in front of the computer, results in obesity. An obese child is an obese adult in the future . And in Poland, almost every third man and every fourth woman already struggle with this disease.

Parents with obese children come to POZ offices more and more often. This problem affects even six-year-olds!

- There are loads of children who are obese. Unfortunately, not all parents or teachers at school see this as a problem. And these are children suffering from obesity - says Joanna Zabielska-Cieciuch, family medicine specialist, expert of the Zielona Góra Agreement Federation,

Doctors use every opportunity to draw attention to a child's illness. They do it during a health check, during preventive examinations or during a visit due to fever or pharyngitis. Any situation is good to talk to the parents about the child's problems. Unfortunately, they are not always understood that obesity is a disease that, if left untreated, will worsen and lead to dysfunction of all organs.

- Treatment of an obese child requires the treatment of the whole family. Everyone must be aware of the seriousness of the problem. We talk to parents and children, we educate them. Doctors and nurses do it, all staff are involved, we do it together. We have successes in my clinic. Half of the children reduce their weight and recover, says Wojciech Pacholicki, family medicine specialist, vice-president of the Zielonogórskie Agreement Federation.

Family medicine specialists approach each patient individually and each doctor has their own methods of treating obesity.

- I mostly talk to a child who is overweight or obese. I translate and listen. We conclude a contract, establish an action plan and in many cases it gives good results - says Anna Stokowska-Wojda, family medicine specialist, expert of the Zielona Góra Agreement Federation.

Other doctors confirm that when a child chooses to reduce weight, it is easier for him to persevere. He does it for himself and of his own free will, not because his parents have imposed it on him, but the role of his parents in the fight against obesity is enormous. They should support the child, ensure not only a proper diet, but also encourage physical activity, organize activities outside the home, and preferably set an example or move with the child.

- Those who were active in childhood, who spent their free time cycling, playing football or walking in the mountains, will also consider exercise as something necessary for health and fitness in their adult life - adds Wojciech Pacholicki.

- It is important that parents encourage their child to eat a healthy diet. Every day we see that many children do not eat breakfast at home. A bun absorbed during a break is not the same as a healthy breakfast before going to school - porridge or a brown bread sandwich with vegetables. Habits developed in childhood stay with us. It is worth taking care of children so that they are appropriate - adds Anna Stokowska-Wojda.

Source: Zielona Góra Alliance Federation