In the 1980s, a survey was conducted nationwide, and the results showed that the detection rate of obesity in children and adolescents aged 7-18 was 0.1%. The "China Children's Obesity Health Report and Prevention Strategies" shows that in 2019, the detection rate of obesity in children and adolescents aged 7-18 increased to 9.6%. The National Health Commission has released the "Weight Management Guidelines (2024 Edition)", which shows that research predicts that if not effectively curbed, the overweight and obesity rate in children will reach 31.8% by 2030. On May 19th, the People's Daily Health App collaborated with nearly 30 children's hospitals across the country to conduct a survey on the current situation of obesity in children and adolescents. Nearly 300 valid questionnaires collected from obese children showed that overweight has brought many problems to children, with 85.6% experiencing physical health problems and 53.3% experiencing psychological problems. Obesity hides health hazards, which are related to children's physical metabolism, mental health, and risk prevention and control of diseases in adulthood. Obesity can easily lead to physical and mental illnesses. During this year's Spring Festival holiday, Xueqing (pseudonym) was celebrating the New Year with friends and family when she suddenly experienced mental deterioration, shortness of breath, and other problems. 12-year-old Xueqing has always loved to eat and laugh since childhood. Although she has always been a bit overweight, her elders consider it a "blessing". At the age of 10, Xueqing's weight began to soar. In less than two years, with a height of 1.75 meters, he has already weighed over 200 pounds. The family quickly sent Xueqing to the county hospital. The doctor said that the child was suffering from diabetes complicated with ketoacidosis and needed to be transferred to the superior hospital as soon as possible. I used to think that the child was still growing and gaining weight was okay. I didn't expect that obesity could really bring life-threatening situations. ”Xueqing's mother said. Hengheng (pseudonym) also came to the hospital due to obesity. Hengheng is 10 years old this year, but Hengheng's father always feels that his son's genital development is significantly lagging behind. In the urology clinic, the doctor's examination also confirmed this concern - due to obesity, Hengheng's genitals are completely covered by abdominal fat, and the level of development is only equivalent to that of a six or seven year old child. Childhood and adolescent obesity is like wrapping a thick blanket around the body, hindering normal sexual development. Boys are prone to low levels of male hormones, leading to problems such as cryptorchidism and hidden penis. Girls are prone to high levels of male hormones, which can cause precocious puberty, menstrual disorders, and even polycystic ovary syndrome. ”Zhao Hongmei, chief physician of the Digestive and Nutritional Department and head of the Weight Management Center at Hunan Children's Hospital, told reporters. Zhou Xuelian, chief physician of Genetics and Metabolism Department of Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhejiang University School of Medicine, said that obesity is prone to metabolic diseases, such as diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, metabolic syndrome, etc., and may also induce psychological problems. Xiaofeng (pseudonym) was originally an outgoing child, but by the age of 8, he had already weighed 110 pounds. At the age of 9, Xiaofeng's weight began to rapidly increase, quickly reaching over 220 pounds. After realizing that he was getting fatter, Xiaofeng locked himself in the house, didn't go to school, didn't communicate with his family, and ate non-stop every day. Eventually, he was diagnosed with mild depression. Research shows that among the physical problems caused by obesity in children and adolescents, fatty liver accounts for the highest proportion, at 32.2%; Hyperinsulinemia or type 2 diabetes followed by precocious puberty or sexual retardation, accounting for 23.3%; Next are dyslipidemia, hyperuricemia or gout, sleep apnea syndrome, hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc. In addition, 53.3% of obese children and adolescents surveyed have varying degrees of inferiority complex. Zhou Xuelian told reporters, "Obesity in children and adolescents is a common cause of psychological problems. Parents should guide their children correctly, adopt an encouraging attitude during the weight loss process, and also pay attention to their children's condition at school. Once there is a problem of discrimination from classmates, they should communicate with teachers as soon as possible. Exercise and diet are key factors." Children's academic performance declines, their attention in class is not focused, and their personalities suddenly become introverted... We have noticed in outpatient clinics that many children's problems are caused by obesity and need the attention of parents and schools. ”Zhang Peng, Deputy Director and Chief Physician of Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgery at Beijing Friendship Hospital, said. Zhang Peng introduced that there are three main reasons for obesity in children and adolescents: genetic inheritance; Using hormone drugs, for example, some children with nephrotic syndrome need to use hormones for a long time, which can lead to obesity; Environmental factors mainly manifest as daily energy intake far exceeding the body's needs, which is converted into fat and stored in the body. We have found that many 'little chubby guys' often overeat when they were young, causing their stomachs to be stretched out and always in a state of brain hunger, making it difficult to control their thoughts of eating. ”Zhang Peng said that in addition, children's academic and social pressures are increasing, and eating has become their most convenient way to relieve stress. Zhou Xuelian said that in recent years, people's living standards have significantly improved, but their awareness of healthy eating still needs to be strengthened. In many families, adults revolve around their children and are accustomed to giving them delicious food. As a result, the obesity rate among children and adolescents has been increasing year by year. Childhood and adolescent obesity is caused by multiple factors. Professor Hu Yifei from the School of Public Health at Capital Medical University said that with the popularization of electronic products such as mobile phones and the high academic pressure, children's exercise time has been compressed; At the same time, the intake of high calorie, high-fat, and high sugar fast food and snacks increases, while the intake of vegetables, fruits, and high fiber foods is insufficient, which can easily lead to the phenomenon of "excess calories but malnutrition". There are still many parents who hold the belief that "getting a little fat is a blessing for their children" and lack nutritional knowledge, which can easily lead to overfeeding. On March 9, Lei Haichao, director of the National Health Commission, said at the press conference on the theme of people's livelihood at the third session of the 14th National People's Congress that 16 departments, including the National Health Commission, launched the "Weight Management Year" last year, and the next step will continue to promote the government, industry, units and individuals to implement the Quartet responsibilities. In recent years, the prevention and control of obesity in children and adolescents has received increasing attention. The "Healthy China 2030" Plan Outline requires strengthening the prevention and treatment of common diseases such as myopia and obesity among students; The Healthy China Action Plan (2019-2030) requires guiding children to have a scientifically balanced diet, strengthen physical exercise, and achieve comprehensive prevention and intervention of childhood obesity. In the spring semester of 2025, education departments in various regions will issue intensive documents requiring the implementation of "one physical education class" and "two hours of comprehensive sports activities" for primary and secondary schools every day. Beijing has released the "Eight Rules for Physical Education" for primary and secondary schools, which prohibit any form of crowding out physical education classes, eliminate the "yin-yang schedule", and eliminate "lecture based" and "sweat free" physical education classes; Yunnan launches the Strong Seedlings Action, requiring primary and secondary school students to engage in comprehensive physical activities for no less than 2 hours per day; Shaanxi Province has comprehensively implemented the Action Plan for Strengthening Students' Physical Fitness, ensuring that students have one hour of physical activity time on and off campus every day... In addition, many children's hospitals have opened weight management clinics and children's weight loss summer camps to help children and adolescents lose weight scientifically. Neglecting obesity is a common characteristic among many parents of "little chubby" children. Zhou Xuelian and Zhang Peng told reporters that they found during the free clinic that few parents who brought their children for treatment knew that obesity was a disease and underestimated the potential harm it could cause to the body. The management of children's weight requires the joint efforts of the whole society to form a new pattern of 'family school society' collaborative intervention. ”Hu Yifei said that children's living habits are often influenced by their families. Parents should strengthen their awareness of the dangers of obesity, lead by example, and shape a good family atmosphere from various aspects such as daily diet, lifestyle patterns, and emotional guidance. Due to the fact that most children and adolescents spend their time in school, Zhao Hongmei suggests that schools strengthen physical education courses and ensure that students have sufficient exercise time every day. In case of severe weather, children can be arranged to engage in aerobic exercise indoors. (New Society)