Chickenpox is caused by the varicella-zoster virus. It is a member of the herpesvirus family

Symptoms

The classic symptom of chickenpox is a rash that turns into itchy, fluid-filled blisters that eventually turn into scabs. The rash may first show up on the chest, back, and face, and then spread over the entire body, including inside the mouth, eyelids, or genital area.

• fever

• tiredness

• loss of appetite

• headache

Risk factors

Some adult people who get chickenpox may have more severe symptoms and may be at higher risk for complications

Prevalence

More than 95 percent of American adults have had chickenpox

Diagnosis

Most often, health care providers find out you have chickenpox based on the rash. Chickenpox also can be confirmed with lab tests, including blood tests or a tissue study of samples of affected skin

Treatment

In otherwise healthy children, chickenpox often needs no medical treatment. Some children may be able to take a type of medicine called an antihistamine to calm itching. But for the most part, the disease just needs to run its course.

How the illness impacts

Before the vaccine was available, about 4 million people got chickenpox each year in the United States, over 10,500 of those people were hospitalized, and about 100-150 people died.

References

CDC. (2021, noviembre 30). Signs and symptoms. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/chickenpox/about/symptoms.html

Chickenpox. (2023, abril 19). Mayoclinic.org. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/chickenpox/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20351287

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 Is caused by a paramyxovirus, a member of the Rubulavirus family. It can be spread by an infected person coughing or sneezing and releasing tiny droplets of contaminated saliva, which can then be breathed in by another.

Symptoms:

Usually involves fever, headaches, pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid salivary glands (cheek and jaw area).

Risk factors:

Include immunodeficiency, international travel and lack of vaccination.

Prevalence:

Why is it common within this group of people?

Mumps most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine. This occurs because there’s waning immunity of the vaccine after several years.

Diagnosis and treatment options:

Through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to diagnose mumps. There’s no specific treatment for mumps. The disease must run its course and usually goes away on its own within a couple of weeks. It´s recommendable to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Ways to manage or prevent:

The vaccine is a way for preventing mumps and it protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

How the illness impacts the patient´s lives:

The child must avoid contact with other people as much as possible. They shouldn’t go to school or participate in activities with friends. It’s necessary to keep the patient at home resting.

 Causes:

 Is caused by a paramyxovirus, a member of the Rubulavirus family. It can be spread by an infected person coughing or sneezing and releasing tiny droplets of contaminated saliva, which can then be breathed in by another.

Symptoms:

Usually involves fever, headaches, pain, tenderness, and swelling in one or both parotid salivary glands (cheek and jaw area).

Risk factors:

Include immunodeficiency, international travel and lack of vaccination.

Prevalence:

Why is it common within this group of people?

Mumps most commonly affects children between the ages of 2 to 12 who haven’t received the mumps vaccine. This occurs because there’s waning immunity of the vaccine after several years.

Diagnosis and treatment options:

Through a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test to diagnose mumps. There’s no specific treatment for mumps. The disease must run its course and usually goes away on its own within a couple of weeks. It´s recommendable to rest and drink plenty of fluids.

Ways to manage or prevent:

The vaccine is a way for preventing mumps and it protects against measles, mumps and rubella.

How the illness impacts the patient´s lives:

The child must avoid contact with other people as much as possible. They shouldn’t go to school or participate in activities with friends. It’s necessary to keep the patient at home resting.

 References:

CDC. (2022, octubre 18). Mumps. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/hcp.html

Mumps. (s/f). Cleveland Clinic. Recuperado el 6 de marzo de 2024, de https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15007-mumps

Causes:

 Many forms of arthritis are caused by problems with your immune system and metabolism, but genes are also involved.

Symptoms:

The symptoms may affect one or more of the joints, causing pain, swelling, redness and warmth

Stiffness, reducing movement.

Risk factors:

Some factors that may increase your risk of arthritis are:

·         increasing age

·         having a family history of arthritis

·         obesity or being overweight

·         smoking

·         activities that involve repetitive movements of a joint

·         previous damage to a joint, such as from an injury

Why is it common within this group of people?

This illness is common in old people because of the aging changes in the musculoskeletal system, which increases the propensity to present arthritis.

Diagnosis and treatment options:

Some types of arthritis are hard to diagnose, so it may take a few visits and tests to get a diagnosis, like blood tests, samples of fluids taken from a joint, and x-ray, ultrasound or CT scans.

Diagnosis and treatment options:

Some types of arthritis are hard to diagnose, so it may take a few visits and tests to get a diagnosis, like blood tests, samples of fluids taken from a joint, and x-ray, ultrasound or CT scans.

Medicines for arthritis include:

·         pain-relief medicines

·         anti-inflammatory medicines

·         disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) for inflammatory forms of arthritis, such as rheumatoid arthritis

Ways to manage or prevent:

Some things that affected people can do to manage pain include:

·         staying active

·         massage

·         acupuncture

·         transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS)

·         mindfulness techniques

·         meditation

How the illness impacts the geriatric´s lives and their families:

They won’t be able to realize activities that they used to do normally in their everyday lives, for example cooking or doing manual activities.

Referencew:

CDC. (2022, octubre 18). Mumps. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. https://www.cdc.gov/mumps/hcp.html

Causes

term "dementia" are caused by abnormal brain changes. Dementia symptoms trigger a decline in thinking skills, also known as cognitive abilities, severe enough to impair daily life and independent function. They also affect behavior, feelings and relationships. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia.

• Depression.

• Medication side effects.

• Excess use of alcohol.

• Thyroid problems.

• Vitamin deficiencies.

Symptoms

• Short-term memory.

• Keeping track of a purse or wallet.

• Paying bills.

• Planning and preparing meals.

• Remembering appointments.

• Traveling out of the neighborhood.

Dementia symptoms are progressive, which means that the signs of cognitive impairment start out slowly and gradually get worse over time, leading to dementia.

Risk factors

• Age

• Genetics

• Smoking/ family history

• Atherosclerosis

Prevalence

The rate of increase in senile dementia prevalence was found to fall in the age range 80-84

Why is common in this group of people

In old age, we will retain the skills and knowledge learned throughout our lives. Some of us will experience memory loss.

Diagnosis

There is no one test to determine if someone has dementia. Doctors diagnose Alzheimer's and other types of dementia based on a careful medical history, a physical examination, laboratory tests, and the characteristic changes in thinking, day-to-day function and behavior associated with each type. Doctors can determine that a person has dementia with a high level of certainty. But it's harder to determine the exact type of dementia because the symptoms and brain changes of different dementias can overlap.

Ways to prevent

Exist habits to avoid the demential senile, these habits are:

• exercising regularly.

• eating healthily.

• not smoking.

• maintaining a healthy weight.

• keeping blood pressure in check.

• having healthy cholesterol levels.

• maintaining healthy blood sugar levels.

How the illness impacts

changes family relationships, leaves people socially isolated, and affects both the health and finances of family carers. All too often, family carers sacrifice their own well-being to ensure their loved one has the best care possible.

Reference

Seven habits reduce dementia risk even with Alzheimer’s risk genes. (2022, mayo 25). Alzheimer’s Research UK. https://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/news/seven-habits-reduce-dementia-risk-even-with-alzheimers-risk-genes/

(S/f). Sciencedirect.com. Recuperado el 6 de marzo de 2024, de https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/senile-dementia

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Sarcopenia is the age-related progressive loss of muscle mass and strength. The main symptom of the condition is muscle weakness. Sarcopenia is a type of muscle atrophy primarily caused by the natural aging process. Scientists believe being physically inactive and eating an unhealthy diet can contribute to the disease.

Causes

The most common cause of sarcopenia is the natural aging process. You gradually begin losing muscle mass and strength sometime in your 30s or 40s. This process picks up between the ages of 65 and 80. Rates vary, but you may lose as much as 8% of your muscle mass each decade. Everyone loses muscle mass over time, but people with sarcopenia lose it more quickly.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of sarcopenia is muscle weakness. Other symptoms may include:

·      Loss of stamina.

·      Difficulty performing daily activities.

·      Walking slowly.

·      Trouble climbing stairs.

·      Poor balance and falls.

·      Decrease in muscle size.

Risk factors

These may include:

·      Physical inactivity.

·      Obesity.

·      Chronic diseases such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), kidney disease, diabetes, cancer and HIV.

·      Rheumatoid arthritis.

·      Insulin resistance.

·      Reduction in hormone levels.

·      Malnutrition or inadequate protein intake.

·      Decrease in your ability to convert protein to energy.

·      Decline in the number of nerve cells that send messages from your brain to your muscles telling them to move.

Prevalence

Sarcopenia most commonly affects people ages 60 and older. The rates increase with age. The disease affects both sexes equally. Studies on affected ethnicities are inconsistent. The rates of the condition increase in people with chronic disease.

Diagnosis

Healthcare providers use various imaging techniques to measure muscle mass and assess the scope of your sarcopenia, including:

·      Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA): DEXA measures fat content, muscle and bone density, and muscle mass. 

·      Bioelectrical impedance assessment (BIA): BIA relies on low-level electrical signals to analyze body composition and measure muscle mass.

·      Computed tomography (CT) scan: In some cases, a healthcare provider may opt for a CT scan (a specialized X-ray that can produce accurate two- or three-dimensional images of the inside of the body) to observe muscles and assess the scope of sarcopenia.

·      Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): MRI relies on magnetic and radio waves to develop accurate images of structures in the body.

In addition, a healthcare provider may ask you to perform specific strength tests to assist them in making a diagnosis.

Treatment

Researchers are studying the possibility of using hormone supplements to increase muscle mass. But there aren’t currently any FDA-approved medications to treat sarcopenia.

Prevention

·      Physical activity: Your healthcare provider may recommend progressive resistance-based strength training. This type of exercise can help improve your strength and reverse your muscle loss.

·      Healthy diet: When paired with regular exercise, eating a healthy diet can also help reverse the effects of sarcopenia. It’s especially important to increase your protein intake through food or supplements.

How the illness impacts their lives

Sarcopenia can greatly impact your quality of life by reducing your ability to perform daily tasks. It can lead to the loss of your independence and the need for long-term care.

References:

Professional, C. C. M. (n. d.). Sarcopenia. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/23167-sarcopenia

Gurarie, M. (2023, 13/03). What is sarcopenia? Verywell Health. https://www.verywellhealth.com/sarcopenia-symptoms-causes-diagnosis-7111858#toc-how-is-sarcopenia-diagnosed

A cataract is a clouding of the lens of the eye, which is typically clear. For people who have cataracts, seeing through cloudy lenses is like looking through a frosty or fogged-up window.

Causes

Most cataracts develop when aging or injury changes the tissue that makes up the eye's lens. Proteins and fibers in the lens begin to break down. This causes vision to become hazy or cloudy.

Some disorders passed down from parents that cause other health problems can increase your risk of cataracts. Cataracts also can be caused by other eye conditions, past eye surgery or medical conditions such as diabetes. Long-term use of steroid medicines also may cause cataracts to develop.

Symptoms

Symptoms of cataracts include:

·      Clouded, blurred or dim vision.

·      Trouble seeing at night.

·      Sensitivity to light and glare.

·      Need for brighter light for reading and other activities.

·      Seeing "halos" around lights.

·      Frequent changes in eyeglass or contact lens prescription.

·      Fading or yellowing of colors.

·      Double vision in one eye.

Risk factors

Factors that increase your risk of cataracts include:

·      Increasing age.

·      Diabetes.

·      Getting too much sunlight.

·      Smoking.

·      Obesity.

·      Family history of cataracts.

·      Previous eye injury or inflammation.

·      Previous eye surgery.

·      Prolonged use of corticosteroid medicines.

·      Drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

Prevalence

The prevalence of cataract increases with age, from 3·9% at age 55–64 years

Diagnosis

Your doctor may do several tests, including:

·      Vision test. Eye chart to measure how well you can read a series of letters. One eye is tested at a time, while the other eye is covered. A chart or a viewing device with letters that get smaller is used.

·      Eye structure exam. An eye structure exam, also called a slit lamp, allows your eye doctor to see the structures at the front of your eye up close. The slit allows your doctor to view these structures in small sections. This makes it easier to find anything that may be wrong.

·      Retinal exam. A retinal exam looks at the back of your eyes, called the retina.

·      Fluid pressure test. This test, also called applanation tonometry, measures fluid pressure in your eye. There are multiple different devices available to do this.

Treatment

When your prescription glasses can't clear your vision, the only effective treatment for cataracts is surgery.

Prevention

Health care professionals think several strategies may be helpful, including:

·      Regular eye exams. Eye exams can help detect cataracts and other eye problems at their earliest stages.

·      Do not smoke. 

·      Manage other health problems. Follow your treatment plan if you have diabetes or other medical conditions that can increase your risk of cataracts.

·      Choose a healthy diet that includes plenty of fruits and vegetables. 

·      Wear sunglasses. Ultraviolet light from the sun may cause cataracts.

·      Reduce alcohol use. Drinking too much alcohol can increase the risk of cataracts.

How the illness impacts their lives

Clouded vision caused by cataracts can make it more difficult to read, drive a car at night or see the expression on a friend's face.

Reference:

Mayo Clinic (2023, 28/08). Cataracts. Mayo Clinc. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/cataracts/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20353795

When the sinuses are blocked with discharge, bacteria may start to grow. This leads to a sinus infection or sinusitis.

The most common bacteria that cause acute sinusitis include:

• Streptococcus pneumonia

• Haemophilus influenzae

• Moraxella catarrhalis

Symptoms

the most common symptoms of sinusitis:

• Stuffy nose

• Thick, colored drainage in the nose

• Drainage down the back of the throat (postnasal drip)

• Headache

• Cough

• Pain or soreness over sinuses

• Fever

• Loss of smell

Risk factores

possible conditions that can lead to sinusitis include:

• Abnormal shape of the nose

• Infection from a tooth

• Nose injury

• Foreign object in the nose

• Birth defect with abnormality of the roof of the mouth (cleft palate)

• Problem with stomach acids (gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD)

• Cystic fibrosis and immunodeficiency syndromes

Immune problems or antibody deficiencies are risks for chronic sinus conditions.

Why it’s common within in pedriatics?

The pediatrics patients are more prone to infections of the nose, sinus, and ears, especially in the first several years of life.

Dx

• Sinus X-rays. 

• CT scan of the sinuses.

• Cultures from the sinuses. 

Tx

will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health.

Acute sinusitis

• Antibiotics. If your child’s sinuses are infected with bacteria, antibiotics are given to kill the bacteria. If your child’s symptoms haven’t improved after 3 to 5 days, the provider may try a different antibiotic.

• Allergy medicines. For sinusitis caused by allergies, antihistamines and other allergy medicines can reduce swelling

Chronic sinusitis

• ENT specialist visit. Your child may be referred to an ENT doctor. 

• Antibiotics. Your child may need to take antibiotics for a longer time. If bacteria aren’t the cause, antibiotics won’t help.

• Inhaled corticosteroid medicine. Nasal sprays or drops with steroids are often prescribed.

• Other medicines. Nasal sprays with antihistamines and decongestants, saline sprays or drops, or medicines to loosen and clear mucus may be prescribed.

• Allergy shots or immunotherapy. If your child has nasal allergies, shots may help reduce his or her reaction to allergens such as pollen, dust mites, or mold.

• Surgery. Surgery for chronic sinusitis is an option. But it is not done very often in children.

Ways to prevent

• Have your child use saline sprays, washes, or both. Use these often to keep the nose as moist as possible.

• Use a humidifier in dry indoor environments.

• Keep your child away from cigarette and cigar smoke.

• Keep your child away for things that cause allergy symptoms.

• Don't force water into the sinuses.

• Limit time in chlorinated pools. The chlorine can irritate the nose and sinuses.

• Practice good hand hygiene.

• Keep you and your child up to date with immunizations.

• Don't have close contact with people who have colds or others upper respiratory infections.

How the sinusitis affect the kids life

the chronic  sinusitis may cause considerable discomfort and agony, making it difficult to participate in regular activities such as working, exercising, or even sleeping.

References

Sinusitis in Children - Health Encyclopedia - University of Rochester Medical Center. (n.d.). https://www.urmc.rochester.edu/encyclopedia/content.aspx?contenttypeid=90&contentid=p02063#:~:text=A%20sinus%20infection%20sometimes%20happens,of%20swelling%20and%20increased%20mucus.

Sinusitis in children. (n.d.). Stanford Medicine Children’s Health. https://www.stanfordchildrens.org/en/topic/default?id=sinusitis-in-children-90-P02063

Kaushik.Mukherjee. (2023, May 4). Quality of life and sinusitis. Del Rey MD | Sinus | Allergy | ENT. https://www.delreymd.com/quality-of-life-and-sinusitis/#:~:text=Chronic%20sinusitis%20may%20impact%20a,%2C%20exercising%2C%20or%20even%20sleeping.

ENT Health. (2024, January 24). Pediatric sinusitis - ENT Health. https://www.enthealth.org/conditions/pediatric-sinusitis/#:~:text=css%20id%3A-,What%20Causes%20Pediatric%20Sinusitis%3F,and%20is%20not%20getting%20worse.

Factors that may increase your risk for osteoporosis include:

• Sex. Your chances of developing osteoporosis are greater if you are a woman. Women have lower peak bone mass and smaller bones than men. However, men are still at risk, especially after the age of 70.

• Age.

• Body size.

• Family history. Researchers are finding that your risk for osteoporosis and fractures may increase if one of your parents has a history of osteoporosis or hip fracture.

• Changes to hormones. Low levels of certain hormones can increase your chances of developing osteoporosis.

• Diet. into old age, a diet low in calcium and vitamin D can increase your risk for osteoporosis and fractures. Excessive dieting or poor protein intake may increase your risk for bone loss and osteoporosis.

• Other medical conditions.

• Medications. Long-term use of certain medications may make you more likely to develop bone loss and osteoporosis, such as:

  • Glucocorticoids and adrenocorticotropic hormone, which treat various conditions, such as asthma and rheumatoid arthritis.

  • Antiepileptic medicines, which treat seizures and other neurological disorders.

  • Cancer medications, which use hormones to treat breast and prostate cancer.

  • Proton pump inhibitors, which lower stomach acid.

  • Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, which treat depression and anxiety.

  • Thiazolidinediones, which treat type II diabetes.

• Lifestyle. A healthy lifestyle can be important for keeping bones strong

Symptoms

• Losing an inch or more of your height.

• Changes in your natural posture (stooping or bending forward more).

• Shortness of breath (if disks in your spine are compressed enough to reduce your lung capacity).

• Lower back pain (pain in your lumbar spine).

Risk factors

• Anyone over 50.

• People assigned female at birth (AFAB), especially people AFAB in postmenopause.

• People with a family history (if someone in your biological family has osteoporosis).

• People who are naturally thin or who have “smaller frames.” People with thinner statures often have less natural bone mass, so any losses can affect them more.

• People who smoke or use tobacco products.

Why it’s common in geriatrics patients?

As we get older, we begin to lose more bone than we build. The tiny holes within bones get bigger, and the solid outer layer becomes thinner. In other words, our bones get less dense.

Dx

Osteoporosis is diagnosed clinically or radiographically. Osteoporosis may present with low-impact fractures (occurring from a fall at or below standing height) or fragility fractures (occurring spontaneously).7 Osteoporosis is most commonly diagnosed with a T-score of −2.5 or below as determined by central DEXA scan of the total hip, femoral neck, or lumbar spine.2,3,4

Tx

• Calcium 1200 mg every day through diet and/or calcium supplements

• Vitamin  800-1000 IU every day

• Regular weight-bearing and muscle-strengthening exercise

• Avoidance of cigarette smoking and excessive alcohol intake 

• Prevention of falls

Ways to prevents

1. eat calcium-rich foods as part of a general healthy diet which includes fresh fruit, vegetables and whole grains.

2. absorb enough vitamin D.

3. avoid smoking and.

4. limit alcohol consumption.

5. do regular weight-bearing and strength-training activities.

How osteoporosis impacts the geriatrics patients

It can cause painful fractures, disability and deformity.

References

Branch, N. S. C. a. O. (2023, September 25). Osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. https://www.niams.nih.gov/health-topics/osteoporosis

Professional, C. C. M. (n.d.). Osteoporosis. Cleveland Clinic. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/4443-osteoporosis

Osteoporosis in aging. (2017, October 6). NIH News in Health. https://newsinhealth.nih.gov/2015/01/osteoporosis-aging#:~:text=While%20some%20cells%20build%20new,our%20bones%20get%20less%20dense.

Sweet, M. G., Sweet, J. M., Jeremiah, M. P., & Galazka, S. S. (2009, February 1). Diagnosis and treatment of osteoporosis. AAFP. https://www.aafp.org/pubs/afp/issues/2009/0201/p193.html#diagnosis

https://www.buzzrx.com/blog/how-is-osteoporosis-treated-in-the-elderly

Health Canada. (2008, January 15). Seniors and aging - Osteoporosis. Canada.ca. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/healthy-living/your-health/diseases/seniors-aging-osteoporosis.html#

High levels of stress can lead to a temporary increase in blood pressure. Stress-related habits such as eating more, using tobacco or drinking alcohol can lead to further increases in blood pressure.

Symptoms

People with very high blood pressure (usually 180/120 or higher) can experience symptoms including:

• severe headaches

• chest pain

• dizziness

• difficulty breathing

• nausea

• vomiting

• blurred vision or other vision changes

• anxiety

• confusion

• buzzing in the ears

• nosebleeds

• abnormal heart rhythm

Risk factor

Things that increase the risk of having high blood pressure include:

• older age 

• genetics

• being overweight or obese

• not being physically active 

• high-salt diet

• drinking too much alcohol

Prevalence

over 80% of hypertension patients do not have their BP under control

Why is common in this group of people

Your body's network of blood vessels, known as the vascular system, changes with age. Arteries get stiffer, causing blood pressure to go up.

Diagnosis

A diagnosis of high blood pressure is usually based on the average of two or more readings taken on separate occasions. Blood pressure is grouped according to how high it is.

Treatment

Lifestyle changes can help lower high blood pressure. These include:

• eating a healthy, low-salt diet

• losing weight

• being physically active

• quitting tobacco.

Ways to prevent

These lifestyle changes can help prevent and lower high blood pressure. 

Do:

• Eat more vegetables and fruits.

• Sit less.

• Be more physically active, which can include walking, running, swimming, dancing or activities that build strength, like lifting weights.

• Lose weight if you’re overweight or obese.

• Take medicines as prescribed by your health care professional.

• Keep appointments with your health care professional.

How the illness impact the lives

Very high blood pressures can cause headaches, blurred vision, chest pain and other symptoms. Checking your blood pressure is the best way to know if you have high blood pressure. If hypertension isn't treated, it can cause other health conditions like kidney disease, heart disease and stroke, they need to change they life style

Reference

Hypertension. (s/f). Who.int. Recuperado el 8 de marzo de 2024, de https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/hypertension

Medtronic. (s/f). Renal denervation for hypertension. Medtronic.com. Recuperado el 8 de marzo de 2024, de https://global.medtronic.com/xg-en/healthcare-professionals/therapies-procedures/cardiovascular/renal-denervation.html?ef_id=EAIaIQobChMIifni0MblhAMVmDOtBh3eHgfbEAAYASAAEgI8SPD_BwE:G:s&s_kwcid=AL!18272!3!613429344391!b!!g!!hypertension!17881838080!142518191507&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIifni0MblhAMVmDOtBh3eHgfbEAAYASAAEgI8SPD_BwE

Nefertiti Moya

• Food choices

• Lack of physical activity – Australian children are less active than they were in the past.

• Spending a lot of time on sedentary pursuits

• Overweight parents

• Genetics

Symptoms

• breathlessness

• increased sweating

• snoring

• difficulty doing physical activity

• often feeling very tired

• joint and back pain

• low confidence and self-esteem

• feeling isolated

Risk factors

Diabetes, sleep apnea, and cardiovascular disease.

Why it’s common in pedriatics patients

Childhood obesity is common because excessive food consumption and drinking of high-calorie sweetened beverages, no exercise or physical activity, as well as genetic factors

Diagnosis

As part of regular well-child care, the doctor calculates your child's BMI and determines where it falls on the BMI-for-age growth chart. The BMI helps indicate if your child is overweight for his or her age and height.

BMI between 85th and 94th percentiles — overweight

BMI 95th percentile or above — obesity

BMI 99th percentile or higher — severe obesity

Treatment

Treatment for childhood obesity is based on your child's age and whether he or she has other medical conditions. Treatment usually includes changes in your child's eating habits and physical activity level. In certain circumstances, treatment might include medications or weight-loss surgery.

Obesity

Way to manege

Choosing healthy food, limiting takeaway and junk food, increasing physical activity and seeking professional advice can all help.

Parents and caregivers can help prevent childhood obesity by providing healthy meals and snacks, daily physical activity, and nutrition education.

Children with obesity are more likely to develop other serious health problems, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes. They are also more likely to suffer from anxiety, depression, and low self-esteem.

References

Department of Health & Human Services. (n.d.). Obesity in children - causes. Better Health Channel. https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/obesity-in-children-causes

Website, N. (2024, February 14). Obesity. nhs.uk. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/obesity/

Childhood obesity. (2022, noviembre 16). Mayo Clinic. https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/childhood-obesity/symptoms-causes/syc-20354827

https://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/health/healthyliving/obesity-in-children-management#:~:text=Choosing%20healthy%20foods%2C%20limiting%20takeaway,during%20the%20primary%20school%20years