Causes

What are the causes of Childhood Obesity?

First- generally caused by eating too much and moving too little. If you consume high amounts of energy from your diet, particularly from fat and sugars, but do not burn off the energy through exercise and physical activity, much of the surplus energy is then stored by the body as fat.

Second- calories as the energy value of food is measured in units called calories. The average physically active man needs about 2,500 calories a day to maintain a healthy weight, and the average physically active woman needs about 2,000 a day. This may sound high, but it can be easy to reach this limit if you eat certain types of food. For example, eating a large takeaway hamburger, fries and a milkshake can total 1,500 calories – and that's just one meal. Another problem is that many people are not physically active, so lots of the calories they consume end up being stored in the body as fat.

Third- poor diet. Obesity does not happen overnight. It develops gradually over time, as a result of poor diet and lifestyle choices, such as:

• eating large amounts of processed or fast food that is high in fat and sugar.
• drinking too much alcohol – alcohol contains a lot of calories, and people who drink heavily are often overweight.
• eating out a lot – you may be tempted to also have a starter or dessert in a restaurant, and the food can be higher in fat and sugar.
• eating larger portions than you need – you may be encouraged to eat too much if your friends or relatives are also eating large portions.
• drinking too many sugary drinks – including soft drinks and fruit juice.
• comfort eating – if you feel depressed or have low self-esteem, you may eat to make yourself feel better. 

Fourth- unhealthy eating habits tend to run in families, as children learn bad eating habits from parents when they are young and lead to childhood obesity.

Fifth- lack of physical activity also a main cause why children getting involved in obesity problems. Computers, television, and video games inspire to keep kids inside and sedentary, which means they burn fewer calories and are more likely to gain weight. Concerns about the safety of outside play and a reliance on cars instead of walking – even to the corner store – don’t help matters. By preschool age, many kids are already lacking enough activity, which often translates into poor exercise habits later in life.

Sixth-  genetics as If your child was born into a family of overweight people, he or she may be genetically predisposed to the condition, especially if high-calorie food is readily available and physical activity is not encouraged. This is one of the causes where parents did not take good care in children until they get in obese as they set their mind as parents claim that there is no point in trying to lose children weight because "it runs in my family" or "it's in my genes".

Seventh- medical condition as genetic diseases and hormonal disorders that can predispose a child to obesity, such as hypothyroidism, (when the thyroid gland, located in the neck just below the voice box, is underactive and does not release enough of the hormones that control metabolism), Prader-Willi syndrome (a genetic disorder affecting the part of the brain that controls feelings of hunger)  and Cushing's syndrome (a disorder in which your body is exposed too much of the hormone cortisol from overproduction in the adrenal glands or use of medications such as those for asthma).

Eighth- society also has contributed to childhood obesity.

Nineth- as overweight and obesity have become more common, there have been some major changes in how we live. These changes have led to people either eating more or becoming less active, all of which has contributed to an increase in overweight and obesity. For example:

• The overall cost of food has gone down.
• More food is prepared away from home.
• Energy-dense foods and drinks are more readily available.
• Portion sizes have increased.
• Marketing of energy-dense foods and drinks has increased.
• The use of cars has increased.
• The number of two-income families has increased.
• The time spent in paid employment has increased.
• The role of physical education in the school curriculum has reduced.