Childhood obesity refers to a weight greater than the standard weight that is considered normal based on the child’s height and age. BMI (body mass index) is a tool to determine whether a child is healthy, underweight, overweight or obese. BMI is calculated by taking into account the child’s height and weight. A child with a BMI of 95e percentile or higher compared to children of the same age and gender, is considered obese. Obesity in childhood has the potential to continue into adulthood. Obesity in children can lead to low self-esteem, depression and anxiety. Childhood obesity also predisposes a child to early onset of puberty. It also puts them at increased risk of certain health problems over time in the longer term. For example, obesity increases the risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, asthma, snoring, sleep apnea (brief pauses in breathing during sleep), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), joint pain and certain cancers.
Causes of obesity in children
Eating more food than is necessary for the child’s normal growth, combined with very little physical activity, leads to less calorie burning. The extra unburned calories are stored and over time obesity can result if the above behavior of overeating and little exercise continues for a long time. Nowadays, outdoor activities are being replaced by electronic gadgets, such as the use of smartphones, tablets and television. To make matters worse, snacking while using these gadgets piles up more calories in the body. A higher calorie intake than necessary, accompanied by less physical activity, is the main cause of obesity in children.
In addition, several factors play a role in obesity in children. Having a family history of obesity increases a child’s risk of obesity. Second, poor food choices contribute to obesity. Poor food choices mean foods high in sugar and fat and low in nutrients, such as fast food, chips, pizza, hamburgers, candies, chocolates, frozen and canned foods, baked food items, cookies and soft drinks.
Moreover, some medical conditions can also lead to obesity in children. For example, hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland in which the thyroid gland is unable to produce enough thyroid hormones that the body needs for proper functioning) and Cushing’s syndrome (a condition caused by too much cortisol hormone in the body). Psychological problems such as stress and depressive feelings can lead to excessive eating and possibly to obesity. Finally, the use of certain medications (such as steroids) can also contribute to childhood obesity.
Homeopathic treatment
Homeopathic medicines, along with change in eating habits (i.e. switching to healthy eating habits) and increase in physical activity, can prove very effective in controlling obesity in children. Homeopathic medicines work in these cases by increasing the body’s metabolism. There is no specific medicine in homeopathy for controlling obesity in children that can be given in all cases. Instead, homeopathic medicines for obesity are chosen from various medicines available in homeopathy depending on each individual case. While selecting a homeopathic medicine, a child’s constitution is studied in detail. The constitution includes the totality of a person’s physical and mental makeup. Medicines are prescribed after detailed analysis. The best part about these medications is that they are safe to use as they are 100% natural and have no side effects. It is advised to take any of the homeopathic medicines after consulting a doctor. Under no circumstances should self-medication be practiced.
Homeopathic medicines for obesity in children
1. Calcarea Carb – Most medicine
Calcarea Carb is the most commonly used medicine in homeopathy to control obesity in both children and adults. It is suitable for children who are fat and chubby. Although they grow fat and heavy, they look pale and are not strong. They look dull, have no energy and don’t feel like playing. They feel weak while walking or climbing stairs. They usually tend to be cold. There may be excessive sweating. The sweating is most pronounced in the head and chest during sleep. They also tend to develop a sour odor from body secretions such as sweat and feces. They have an increased appetite, especially for eggs, sweets and ice cream. They hate milk. They may have a desire to eat indigestible things such as chalk, dirt, pencils, etc. Children who need this medicine may be sad, unhappy, stubborn and stubborn. Moreover, Calcarea Carb is a well-known medicine to treat hypothyroidism-related problems.
2. Antimony Crudum
Antimonium Crudum is the second best medicine to control obesity in children. This medicine is indicated for children who show excessive irritability. They have an increased appetite and eat beyond the body’s digestive capacity. However, they do not get enough strength from the food eaten. They especially have a craving for sour foods, pickles, etc. They may complain of bloating after eating and often experience belching. A very characteristic feature is that the tongue is thickly covered in white when this medicine is needed. The skin may be rough and flaky and may show horny patches on the body.
3. Peppers
Capsicum is another medicine for controlling obesity in children. This medicine is especially indicated for children who are fat, weak and lazy. They dislike physical activity or exertion. They are sensitive to cold and damp weather. They do not like drafts or open air. They are irritable by nature and easily become angry and offended.
4. Ferrum Met
This medicine is indicated when children, although they look strong, are very weak. They often suffer from anemia. They have weakness, have an aversion to walking and like to lie down. They look pale. They have a desire to eat a lot and may have a particular craving for sweets, often bread and butter.
5. Baryta carbohydrates
Baryta Carb can be considered in children who are obese and have short height. They are very lazy. They don’t want to play, they just want to sit all the time. Their abdomen may be large, hard and tense. They have both physical and mental weakness. They can have a very shy nature. They may have a weak memory, be slow to mentally grasp an idea while studying or otherwise, and have difficulty concentrating. They feel chilly and tend to catch cold quickly. They may also often suffer from sore throat and tonsillitis. There may be a tendency to excessive sweating of the foot. Cravings for sweets may be present in children who require this medicine.
6. Kali Bichrome
Kali Bichrome is indicated for fat, chubby children with short necks, who have little energy and are quite inactive. They may have a tendency to catch colds often. A characteristic feature here is the thick, yellow or green, stringy, viscous discharge from the nose or the dripping of such a discharge from the back of the nose into the throat, called PND, i.e. post-nasal discharge. There may also be a tendency towards swollen tonsils.
7. Belladonna
Belladonna is a great medicine for controlling a number of health problems in children. Its use is also recommended to control obesity in children. Children who need it usually have a craving for sour foods and sweets. They long for cold water. They tend to suffer from sore throat and tonsillitis often. They may also tend to have red, swollen glands in different parts of the body.