Question
A neighbor’s child, just a few months old, is already very chubby. I want to ask the doctor if this is what people commonly refer to as pediatric obesity? What exactly is pediatric obesity and what causes it?
Answer
In addition to the general lack of exercise among children, the increasing amount of junk food in their lives is a major cause of their obesity. Nutrition experts point out that junk food is mostly “high in three” foods, meaning high in protein, high in fat, and high in calories. Fast food composed of hamburgers, fries, and various carbonated drinks provides about 50% of the energy. However, the vast majority of foreign fast food is characterized by low vegetable content, low fiber content, and insufficient vitamins A, C, B1, B2, calcium, and iron, which experts call a “time bomb” for children’s health.