The opening of a new clinic in Hyderabad signals growing concern over the increase in childhood obesity, a complex issue with significant long-term health implications. The clinic brings together specialists to address early detection, prevention, and treatment, recognizing that early intervention is key to mitigating potential metabolic, cardiovascular, and psychosocial problems.
A Growing Health Challenge
Recent data suggests a significant percentage of urban school-going children in India are overweight or obese. This trend is attributed to a combination of factors, including increased screen time, reduced physical activity, and shifts in lifestyle. Beyond excess weight, some children also exhibit poor growth, which can stem from nutritional deficiencies, hormonal imbalances, or sedentary habits.
Nearly 20 to 25% of urban school-going children in India are overweight or obese.
A considerable number of children show poor growth velocity linked to nutritional issues.
Addressing the Problem
Medicover Women and Child Hospitals has launched a dedicated Growth and Childhood Obesity Clinic. This initiative pools the expertise of paediatric and endocrine specialists to offer a comprehensive approach. The goal is to enable early identification, implement preventive strategies, and provide structured interventions for children facing weight-related health challenges.
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"Early-onset obesity can result in long-term metabolic, cardiovascular and psychosocial complications. Paediatricians, parents and schools need to work together to build healthier habits from early childhood and prevent future disease." - Source: The Hindu
Contributing Factors to Childhood Obesity
Multiple sources point to a confluence of societal and lifestyle changes contributing to the rise in childhood obesity:
Increased Screen Time: Children today spend more time engaging with electronic gadgets, leading to a decrease in physical movement.
Sedentary Lifestyles: This reduced activity, coupled with dietary habits, makes weight gain more likely.
Parental Involvement: Studies suggest that active parental participation leads to faster and more effective results in managing childhood obesity.
"Todayโs children spend more time on gadgets and less on movement, which makes weight gain almost inevitable." - Source: Clinic-2000
Scope of the Issue
The problem of childhood obesity is not confined to a single region but is observed across various demographics. Studies and observations indicate that this is a growing concern, with projections suggesting a potential doubling of the affected population segment if current trends persist.
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Childhood obesity is identified as a serious disease affecting children and adolescents.
The issue is particularly concerning in the suburban areas of Hyderabad.
Seeking Solutions and Expertise
The establishment of specialized clinics reflects a broader effort within Hyderabad to combat this health concern. Several healthcare providers are offering services related to childhood obesity, including:
PACE Hospitals: Offers treatment for various forms of obesity, including childhood obesity, with a focus on achieving healthier body weight and reducing health risks.
Dr. Srikanth Childrenโs Clinic: Provides specialized obesity management for children and adolescents, emphasizing healthy growth, balanced nutrition, and active lifestyles.
Kims Hospitals and Kirloskar Hospital: Listed as facilities with pediatric obesity specialists and services.
Udbhava Childrens Multi Speciality Hospital and Ankura Hospital For Woman & Child: Also mentioned in listings for child obesity doctors.
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These facilities aim to provide comprehensive care, from diagnosis to long-term management, acknowledging that childhood obesity can impact a child's physical health, confidence, and overall well-being.
Expert Insights
Doctors involved in these initiatives emphasize the need for a multi-faceted approach.
Dr. Amarnath Kulkarni highlighted the importance of endocrine evaluation for children with growth deficiencies or severe obesity.
The Indian Academy of Pediatrics (IAP) Twin Cities chapter president-elect, Usha Rani T, stressed the collaborative role of pediatricians, parents, and schools.
The overarching message from healthcare professionals is that addressing childhood obesity early is crucial for preventing long-term health complications and improving a child's quality of life.
Conclusion and Future Steps
The opening of the Growth and Childhood Obesity Clinic in Hyderabad is a proactive measure to address the escalating issue of child obesity. It underscores the understanding that this condition requires specialized attention and a coordinated effort from healthcare providers, families, and educational institutions. The clinic's focus on early detection, prevention, and structured intervention aims to equip children with healthier habits, thereby safeguarding their future well-being and reducing the incidence of related health problems.
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The clinic aims to bridge the gap in specialized care for childhood obesity.
Emphasis is placed on preventative medicine and early intervention.
Sources Used:
The Hindu: Reports on the launch of the Medicover Women and Child Hospitals clinic, quoting specialists on the causes and consequences of childhood obesity.๐ https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Hyderabad/child-obesity-clinic-opened-in-hyderabad/article70634749.ece
News18 Telugu: Also covers the Medicover clinic's opening, focusing on rising child health concerns and the importance of a holistic approach.๐ https://telugu.news18.com/news/telangana/medicover-launches-growth-childhood-obesity-clinic-in-twin-cities-to-tackle-rising-child-health-concerns-kb-ws-kl-3048510.html
Clinic-2000: Discusses childhood obesity treatment in Hyderabad, highlighting lifestyle factors like gadget use and the benefits of parental involvement.๐ https://www.clinic-2000.com/childhood-obesity-treatment-for-child-in-hyderabad-india/
Dr. Srikanth Childrenโs Clinic: Details their specialized obesity management services for children, focusing on healthy habits and well-being.๐ https://drsrikanthdarisetty.com/services/obesity-management/
Aditya Children's Hospitals: Addresses the rise of childhood obesity in Hyderabad's suburbs, its health risks, and strategies for counteraction.๐ https://adityachildrenshospitals.com/blogs/childhood-obesity-in-hyderabads-suburbs-why-its-rising-how-to-counter-it/
PADMAJAREHAB: Offers insights into childhood obesity treatment in Hyderabad, emphasizing its impact on health and self-esteem.๐ https://padmajarehab.com/blog/childhood-obesity-treatment-hyderabad/
Kims Hospitals: Provides information on pediatric obesity services available at their facility in Hyderabad.๐ https://www.kimshospitals.com/secunderabad/speciality/paediatric-obesity/
PACE Hospitals: Describes their hospital as a leading center for obesity treatment, including childhood obesity, in Hyderabad.๐ https://www.pacehospital.com/obesity-treatment
Justdial: Lists various children's obesity doctors and hospitals in Hyderabad.๐ https://www.justdial.com/Hyderabad/Children-Obesity-Doctors/nct-10340855
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