Why is childhood food deprivation linked to obesity? | health | Essential information for better health | DW

Obesity is one of the worst problems that a person can face because it causes many health problems that affect daily life that he did not suffer from.

And consider Obesity In childhood, in particular, it is much worse, and among dangerous and worrying medical conditions, because any slight increase in weight will lead the child to face health problems and diseases that were once specific to adults, such as blood pressure and cholesterol, but nowadays obesity has become a growing problem in children, and it is responsible for the following causes:

Several types of cancer, including breast, ovary, esophagus, stomach, pancreas, colon, rectum and prostate.

– Apoplexy.

– high blood pressure

– Sleep Apnea

Type 2 diabetes

– osteoporosis

Well it can be exposed Obese children to tease or intimidate their peers. This can lead to loss of self-esteem and an increased risk of depression and anxiety. According to what was published by the website (Medical Express).

Abuse of food

This happens when a child is completely deprived of food or given a certain type of food (often sweets) as a reward. When a child is deprived or punished by preventing him from eating foods he likes, his desire to eat them increases, and the child may resort to eating them in very large quantities in secret.

Food deprivation can cause obesity

Studies and research have revealed that food deprivation during childhood can lead to obesity. A 2017 study found that children aged 8 to 10 who live in homes where healthy foods are not readily available are five times more likely to be obese than those who live in homes with adequate nutrition.

The results of the study revealed that children from families facing the problem of food scarcity ate food when they were not hungry and were more likely to eat five or more snacks per day.

This is called the “insurance hypothesis”. The theory is that people who don’t have regular access to food eat more when food is available to store energy and to avoid starvation when food is cut off.

In another study conducted in the UK, it was found that the diets of people who could not get healthy foods were high in carbohydrates, with lower amounts of fiber and protein than other people in the UK. study, which is associated with weight gain.

Moreover, the time gaps between food schedules of food insecure people were not regulated compared to those without food security. Maintaining regular intervals between meals was difficult.

The study concluded that dietary practices that result from food deprivation are among the most important factors that can lead to obesity. According to what has been published by the (National Library or Medicine).

“emotional eating”

The emotional toll of a childhood living in poverty can also lead to obesity. The study indicates that low income, inability to obtain or purchase nutritious food, and stress due to lack of income and food create a negative psychological and emotional environment for children.

Over time, this can lead to obesity. This happens especially when we overeat to cope with stress, known as “emotional eating,” when we use food to calm us down or make us feel better.

Children are particularly affected because they develop habits that will continue into adulthood. If children eat comfort foods to reduce distress and it becomes a habit, they will use the same strategy to respond to stress in the future. Over time, this can lead to obesity.

RD/ AH