As a parent you want what is best for your child. You want to make sure they grow up to be as healthy and safe as possible. As you know, they are dependent on you, and their wellness has become an important part of your life. But you don’t have to be alone during that wonderful experience–wheter you are a first-time parent or an experienced one–pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas, are here to guide, and accompany you throughout your child’s first steeps in their lives.
During their development and growth, several factors influence their health. As a parent, you have regular duties concerning your child’s well-being, they can go from on-schedule vaccination, going to routine checkups, developmental screening, and taking care of them when they get sick. But another key point is their nutritional status, making it important to receive nutrition guidance from pediatrics.
Childhood Obesity: Why Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas, Are Worried?
Obesity is not only a problem for adults, by 2023 Texas had the 6th highest obesity rate for children in the United States–with ages ranging from 6 to 17 years old. Preventing obesity is not about looks, this condition indicates an excess of body fat, causing your child’s weight to be greater than what is considered healthy.
A condition such as this, can be detrimental to your child’s health, have a negative impact on their daily lives and come with many dangers. In fact, an obese child is at more risk of developing conditions such as:
- Heart disease.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Hypertension.
- Asthma.
- Depression or anxiety.
As well as the possibility of remaining obese in adulthood, which comes with its own set of complications.
Risk Factors
Every case is unique, some children are at a greater risk of developing obesity, while others never suffer from it. In any case, some common risk factors to the development of obesity in children are:
- Genetics: gestational diabetes, obesity on either or both parents before pregnancy, or excessive weight gain during pregnancy.
- Food: eating processed foods frequently, sugary drinks, a low-nutrient diet.
- Sedentarism: minimal, or lack of physical activity, excessive screen time.
- Others: passive smoking, stress or trauma, sleep deprivation or deficiency.
Diagnosis of Childhood Overweight and Obesity
Overweight and obesity are not always easy to tell in children, given that they are constantly growing, and could have growth spurts at any given time, they surely need calories in their diet, but when the body uses all the calories that it needs in its regular functions, the rest of the calories are reserved as body fat.
Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas, can determine if your child’s weight is in a healthy range during routine checkups. From 2 years old going forward, this would be measured through body mass index and BMI-for-age percentiles, which can be interpreted by your pediatrician to check if your child is gaining weight as part of their growth or if it’s something to be concerned about.
Preventive Care With Pediatrics in Lamesa, Texas
Your child’s needs are different from that of an adult, after all they are in constant growth and development, which makes it particularly important to have the right nutrition and a diet that satisfies their needs while their bodies are constantly evolving. Some key points to prevent childhood obesity for your kid are:
- A balanced diet that includes fruits and vegetables.
- Daily physical activity.
- Enough quality sleep.
- Managing stress in a healthy way.
Another key point that should never be overlooked is taking your child to routine checkups, where your pediatrician would make sure that everything is ok with your child’s well-being and–in case of identifying any possible disease or developmental issues–would be able to give it the appropriate treatment at the right moment.
Achieve a Healthy Weight for Your Child with Pediatrics in Lamesa Texas
Your child’s health is a priority for you as a parent, and at South Plains Rural Health Services we understand your worries, that’s why we are here to accompany, guide and support you in your parenthood journey. Our pediatrics services in Lamesa, Texas are here to make sure your child is growing as healthy as possible. Book an appointment with us today and we will make sure your child’s health is at its best.