Childhood obesity is a matter of concern. Unicef's 2022 World Obesity Atlas projects that by 2030, over 27 million children in India will be obese, accounting for one in ten children worldwide. To add to this concern, the World Health Organisation states that excessive body fat raises the risk of non-communicable diseases, such as 13 different forms of cancer, type-2 diabetes, heart issues, and lung ailments, which can result in early mortality.
These depressing statistics have become even more stark, as a recent study published in the journal Cancer cautions that children who are obese at the time of their cancer diagnosis may have lower survival rates. 11,291 children in Canada who had received a new cancer diagnosis between 2001 and 2020 were studied.
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Key Findings From The Study
- 10.5% of the 11,291 children who were diagnosed with cancer were obese. Researchers evaluated overall survival and five-year event-free survival (survival free of cancer relapse).
- Patients who were obese at the time of their initial cancer diagnosis had worse overall survival rates (83.0% against 85.9%) and five-year event-free survival rates (77.5% compared 79.6%) than those who were not obese.
- Obesity had a particularly detrimental effect on prognosis in patients with brain tumours and acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.
- The researchers discovered that a 16 percent increase in the likelihood of relapse was associated with obesity at diagnosis. Additionally, the study found that the chance of death increased by 29%.
What Is The Link Between Obesity And Cancer?
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According to the National Cancer Institute, about 4–8% of all cancers are attributed to obesity. Why this happens is not completely understood but experts and researchers emphasise that lifestyle changes that include diet, exercise, and behaviour therapy are the mainstay of interventions.
As per the U.S. Centers For Disease Control And Prevention, changes in the body caused by being overweight or obese include elevated levels of sex hormones, insulin, and insulin-like growth factor, as well as chronic inflammation. These alterations could result in cancer. The more excess weight a person gains and the longer they remain overweight, the higher their risk of developing cancer.
How To Know If Your Child Is Obese Or Of Healthy Weight?
If your child maintains a "BMI-for-age," or weight range appropriate for their age, they are at their healthiest. Your child may be overweight if their BMI falls between the 85th and 95th percentiles for their age. They may be obese if their score is within the 95th percentile or over.
Children who are overweight or obese may be so because of a variety of causes, such as genetics, family history, constantly consuming more calories from food and drinks than their bodies require, not receiving enough sleep or exercise, and certain illnesses and medications.
The weight of the infant may also be impacted by the mother's pregnancy. Pregnancy-related weight gain or obesity in the mother raises the likelihood of the child being born larger than expected.
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How Can Parents Help Their Child Maintain Healthy Weight?
If you and your child work together, patiently, to maintain and instill healthy lifestyle habits, you can help them reach and maintain a healthy weight by helping them achieve little milestones. Some milestones include,
- Drinking and eating nutritious foods
- Being active every day
- Limiting screen time in order to get adequate rest
If you are unsure about what adjustments to make, seek advice from a health care provider.