Kolkata: A seven-year-old boy, who should have a weight of about 25kg, was found to be overweight 15kg when he was recently taken to the city pediatrician for the influenza vaccine.
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he is not the only fat child who is seen by the doctor in the past few months.
In fact, doctors in all cities report a disturbing obesity trend in children during the pandemic, which they fear can cause the initial arisen of adult diseases.
With schools closed and the playground and garden are closed, children have been locked up in the room for almost a half a year now.
That’s when children appear for their routine vaccines that their doctors find them have gained too much weight.
“For the past few weeks I noticed that a large number of children who came to their flu shot were 10-15 kg above their normal weight.
This is a matter of worries because the obesity of childhood can cause some adult diseases in children This, “said Rheumatik Pediatric Priyankar Pal, Professor Pediatrics at the Institute of Child Health (ICH).
Not only lack of physical activity but bad snacking habits and increased screen time together take victims on their physical health, doctors said.
“This is a worrying trend and parents need to worry.
Obesity can cause a number of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, coronary and thyroid artery diseases.
In India, the obesity of childhood is new but pandemics can worsen this,” said endocrine expert Pediatric Hriday of Ich.
Sumita Sumita Saha from Fortis Hospital said more and more children were also detected by lack of vitamin D from living in the room.
“While many children become overweight make them vulnerable to various diseases, we also pay attention to the high number of cases with vitamin D deficiency due to lack of sun exposure,” said Saha.
According to health experts, Covid restrictions make children vulnerable to the problem of behavior that manifests explosions, irritation, tantrum and stubborn and to relieve their parts of parents offering them whatever snacks they demand and this often.
“Indian parents tend to think of getting healthy weight and most parents don’t even care about their children being obese.
It’s time for them to give their children a balanced diet, vitamins and calories while limiting consumption of junk food,” said Pal which is also attached to the Apollo Hospital.