Biological factors/energy balance
So far it could not be clarified clearly whether normal-weight children differ from the overweight children in the energy utilization related to the basal metabolic rate. So far available studies are concerned with already overweight children and do not permit conclusions on the development of overweight.
Stress and emotional state
Eating is often used as a substitute action to suppress negative feelings and moods. Moods like loneliness, sadness, fear, longing for love, feelings of guilt, boredom, anger, frustration, disappointment and fear of failure can be triggers for eating. Hunger fades into the background and the natural hunger and satiety signals are ignored.Also learned patterns such as: eat empty plates so that the sun shines tomorrow, before difficult tasks first eat something, food as a reward and comfort are to be considered here. Eating at certain usual times (without feeling hungry) also plays a role here.
Physical activity
In fact, the physical activity behavior of our children has deteriorated dramatically in recent decades. According to a long-term study conducted by the AOK, the physical fitness of children fell by 20 to 26 percent between 2001 and 2003 alone. As a result, elementary school children now only exercise an average of 1 hour per day.
They spend the rest of the time at school, doing their homework and spending their free time in front of the television and computer. In 1976, a ten-year-old child needed six minutes to walk 1000 meters. Today, the average child can only walk about 870 meters in this time.
Some toddlers already spend up to 4 hours a day in front of the television or PC. The German Society for Nutrition (DGE) clearly points out in its 2000 nutrition report that there is a connection between television consumption and overweight. The reasons for this are quickly clarified: Those who take little exercise consume less energy – the result is weight gain.
Less exercise also means that fewer muscles are formed or even regressed, which in turn reduces the basal metabolic rate. Since fat children are reluctant to move at some point because it becomes more and more strenuous, the weight spiral begins to turn upwards. In addition, the physical development of the child is closely linked to its mental development.
Whenever we move, new circuits and networks are formed between the nerve tracts, which can later be used for other activities. Children who move and romp regularly can concentrate better, attention is increased and they are more balanced. Of course, physical activity can also be associated with a certain predisposition.
The natural urge to move varies from child to child. However, more important for the movement behavior of our children than this fact is the example of their parents and the wider social environment. If the parents set an example of fun and enjoyment in physical activity and instruct the children to do so, an important step towards normal-weight children has already been taken. Can one lose weight with slimming drops?
