MANAGEMENT OF OBESITY IN EARLY CHILDHOOD - THE ROLE OF THE PARENTS FOR THE HEALTH STATUS

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a widespread chronic metabolic disorder, especially in children in early childhood with extremely serious health consequences, deteriorating their psycho-physical development. WHO ranks Bulgaria fifth in the world in the incidence of obese in children.

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the influence of reduced physical activity in overweight children and the role of parents for their health status.

Methods:  120 children were performed diagnostics, aged between 4-7 years. The study also included parents of children with a direct individual questionnaire, including many aspects of children's lifestyles related to health, eating habits, physical activity, behavior and others. The main anthropometric indicators of the children were measured - height, weight, circumference, body mass index (BMI).

Results: Analyzing the child's weight by BMI category, it was found that 25.83% of children have varying degrees of overweight. According to age, in 4-5 year old children BMI is above the norm in 16.67%, and in 6-7 year old - 35%. More than half of the parents state that the physical activity of the children is "low", they do not spend enough time outdoors with their children and do not play sports in sports clubs outside the kindergarten. Worrying is the fact that children spend more than 2-3 hours a day with electronic devices. The low level of physical activity in parents also affects children, which is not due to lack of free time, but to reduced motor and health culture. The role of parents in the formation of motor habits for sports and weight maintenance in early childhood for proper health development is confirmed. Impaired metabolism affects the appetite and this dependence is realized through the functioning of the psycho-neuro-endocrine-immune system. The role of food supplements and homeopathic medicines as an appropriate regulator is important.

Conclusion(s): In the complex of therapeutic measures for obese children is movement, nutrition, and parental care to ensure a healthy lifestyle. Obesity prevention is proving to be the most appropriate approach to treatment, through early screening by medical professionals and offering training programs for children and parents

Presenter e-mail: petya.kasnakova@mu-plovdiv.bg