A paediatric specialist has pointed out that obese children are prone to sleep apnoea. Poor sleep quality affects their height and brain development, and even if they lose weight as adults, the effects are irreversible. Parents should not ignore childhood obesity. Furthermore, the effects of obesity may not be detected in time. Some primary school and junior high school students were found to have fatty liver only after abnormal liver function tests. Other children were found to have early hypertension only when undergoing sleep tests.
4 common weight gain traps
Paediatrician Chen Yijun points out that, according to recent local studies on obesity, approximately 20% schoolchildren are classified as obese, meaning that one in every five is overweight: ‘According to children’s growth charts, a score above the 90th percentile can be defined as overweight.However, it is important to check whether a child’s height and weight are proportionate (for reference:Child weight standards"For example, if a child is overweight but also tall, they are not considered obese." He explained that because children are in their growth period, their physique changes greatly and their metabolism is also faster. Measuring whether they are obese cannot rely on a single index, and assessments should be carried out every few months.
Lack of exercise and insufficient sleep, alongside a fondness for snacks, easily leads to weight gain.
The "seeds" of childhood obesity are not solely sown by irregular eating habits and lack of exercise; insufficient sleep is also a hidden danger. Chan states that most overseas primary school students go to bed by 9 pm, whereas Hong Kong children of the same age often do not fall asleep until 10 or 11 pm. "According to sleep research, if 6-year-old children sleep less than 9 to 10 hours per day, it can easily affect their development and the secretion of hormones that regulate appetite. Fatigue also lowers their physical activity levels."
Furthermore, a diet high in snacks such as crisps and fizzy drinks, combined with a lifestyle characterised by frequent takeaways and eating out due to parents’ busy work schedules, leads to children consuming higher amounts of salt and fat.Dr Chan said: “I have seen a five-year-old boy in clinical practice whose weight was already at the 97th percentile on the growth chart, weighing 26 kilograms; some children of the same age even weigh as much as 34 kilograms.”
Adults with a higher risk of cardiovascular disease and cancer.
Obesity also has far-reaching effects. Chan pointed out that even if children do not have problems such as allergic rhinitis or tonsillar hypertrophy, prolonged obesity for several years can trigger sleep apnoea. "Poor sleep quality naturally makes it difficult to grow taller and also affects brain development. Even if they lose weight when they grow up, it will be difficult to make up for it." Moreover, some effects may not be immediately apparent. When some children were tested for sleep apnoea, it was discovered they already had early-stage high blood pressure. Chan explained: "Children tend to be nervous when seeing a doctor, causing large blood pressure fluctuations unlike adults, making it difficult to measure. A 24-hour monitoring device is needed, so it is often measured along with sleep tests." Some primary and junior high school students also had abnormal liver function indicators, and further tests revealed they had fatty liver. "Long-term obesity also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, high cholesterol, diabetes, and cancers such as colorectal cancer in adulthood."
Furthermore, obese children are prone to bullying and lack of confidence due to their appearance, which also increases their risk of depression and should not be taken lightly.
He also reminded parents to be wary of "food traps" when raising children, such as pre-made juice drinks, which are high in sugar and pose a significant risk of obesity. "Even fresh fruit contains fructose, so do not consume it in excess and should be eaten according to the food pyramid principles." Carbohydrate intake should also be moderate, and for children, protein is most important, which can be obtained more healthily from white meat, fish, or tofu.
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