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September 2024

in Cardiology, Congenital Heart Disease, Diet For Healthy Heart

Everything Parents Should Know About Childhood Obesity and Heart Health

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September 24, 2024
137

Every parent wants their kid to grow up as a healthy adult and will do everything in their power to provide only the best for their child without any compromise on their precious health. Childhood obesity is on the rise globally which often begins with an adorable bulge in the belly and results in developing several health complications including the high risk of developing cardiovascular diseases. It has become a rising concern in India and the world over the last decade because of untimely and unhealthy diets consumed by children all around the world. Unhealthy dietary habits are resulting in reduced physical activity and many more obese children are now vulnerable to developing heart diseases as young adults. In this blog, we will understand the crucial connection between childhood obesity and heart health and learn about some useful steps to be implemented in daily routine to safeguard children’s health and help them grow up happily healthy and physically strong to become the best version of themselves as adults.

Do you Know What Childhood Obesity is?

When a child eats an unhealthy diet, a large amount of fat is accumulated in the kid’s body. This excessive weight which is carried by the child is an inseparable part of their bodies which creates obesity in kids. This is Childhood Obesity which can be the root cause of developing several diseases including heart diseases. It can further lead to developing several health complications like many childhood obesity cases if neglected or untreated. In India, there is a tsunami of fast food, packaged snacks, and sedentary lifestyles, which are influencing almost all children leaving them more susceptible to succumb to its effects. To countless parents, it might not appear like a major issue during the initial years of childhood, but obesity can have adverse effects on a child’s heart health and overall health which will obstruct them from becoming healthy adults with a long lifespan in future.

Almost every Indian home today has a deep affection and intangible connection for consuming and sharing sweets like laddoos, gulab jamun, jalebi and countless more unhealthy eating options. These foods do not pose significant health concerns if they are consumed occasionally, but regular consumption of them along with some other high-fat snacks like samosas or deep-fried pakoras will amount to more unhealthy calories which will increase the obesity levels and hamper overall health. When these unhealthy eating habits are combined with an inactive or sedentary lifestyle and children tend to spend more time watching TV or playing video games, than engaging in physical activities the risk of obesity will significantly rise hand in hand.

The Secret & Crucial Link Between Childhood Obesity and Heart Health

1. High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)

All obese children will carry excess weight, and this exerts excessive pressure on the body to stay active, which then creates the need for more oxygen supply, making the heart work harder and become less efficient with time. This continuous strain on the body will result in high blood pressure in children and, if it is left untreated, high blood pressure will cause the heart to function ineffectively and significantly increase the risk of developing heart disease in the future.

2. High Cholesterol Levels

Childhood obesity creates higher levels of bad cholesterol (LDL) and lower levels of good cholesterol (HDL) in the body, and LDL cholesterol will then begin to build up in the arteries, blocking and obstructing the healthy blood circulation in the body, this results in developing a medical condition called atherosclerosis, which increases the risk of having harmful heart attacks and strokes in young adults.

3. Risk of Type 2 Diabetes

Obesity is the leading cause and backbone of developing type 2 diabetes, which will also increase the risk of developing heart disease in future. In the world, all children who are obese are more likely to develop insulin resistance in their bodies for many reasons including obesity. Insulin helps the body to healthily manage blood sugar levels, and when it cannot be managed correctly, it will lead to some health complications like permanent nerve damage or severe heart problems.

4. Increased Risk of Adult Obesity and Heart Disease

Children who are obese or overweight are more likely to remain obese as adults, which will then significantly increase the risks of developing cardiovascular disease later in life. The longer obesity exists, the greater the chances of suffering from poor health or heart attacks and strokes.

Some Healthy Steps to Prevent Childhood Obesity and Promote More Heartbeats

1. Healthy Eating Habits

Start encouraging your child or children to regularly consume a balanced diet filled with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and lean proteins and along with it, make it clear to them that it is essential for maintaining a healthy weight and happy heart. Also, explaining why it’s essential can minimize the usual consumption of deep-fried snacks, sugary sweets, and processed foods can help your children make the best diet choices for a longer lifespan.

2. Promote Physical Activity

It is a great choice to implement a regular and punctual exercise routine to help children maintain a healthy weight and strengthen their bodies as well as hearts each day. Always motivate your kids to actively participate in physical activities such as sports, cycling, yoga etc. which interests them to help them live and remain healthy for a long time. It is important to reduce screen time on mobile phones or TV and let the kids explore the world freely physically not digitally.

3. Lead by Example

Children tend to always follow and imitate the habits of their parents or anyone they truly love to become like them when they grow up as wonderful adults. Practising healthy eating, staying active, and managing your own body weight as a parent/caregiver will set a positive example in your child’s subconscious mind. Try to maintain and define family mealtimes and also introduce healthy eating habits to kids for their optimal health.

Conclusion: Little Hearts will Get Big, Do Not Let Them Grow Up with a Weak Heart

In summary, the important connection between childhood obesity and heart health is often overlooked by many but it is crucial to know in 2024, because of the increasing cases of heart diseases, heart attacks and diabetes in young adults. Parents or caregivers who wish to tackle childhood obesity need to know that it is not just about keeping your child’s body weight in healthy embankments, it is also about securing a healthy future for them with a healthy heart, mind and soul hand in hand. By adopting some of the healthy habits mentioned above in this blog, like a balanced diet, promoting physical activity, setting a positive example, and more all parents/caregivers can help all children become adults with a healthy heart which will in turn keep the body healthy. Remember all children deserve a strong heart and you as a perfect parent or concerned caregiver can gift them the perfect heart health by taking necessary care of their diet and daily routine.

in Cardiology, Diet For Healthy Heart, Heart Defects

The Best Diet Options for Kids to Develop a Healthy Heart as Adults

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September 12, 2024
125

All parents and caregivers are aware of the fact that one of the most impactful and the best ways to ensure their loving child’s long-term health is by a perfectly healthy diet. It is important to know that what children consume in the early years of childhood not only influences their immediate well-being but also scales up the foundation for their heart health as adults. Interestingly, did you know that the human skeleton is completely replaced with a new one in place in the body approximately every ten years? This cellular regeneration process is responsible for providing our bodies with everything they need, especially superfast growing children with the right amount of nutrients to support lifelong overall and heart health. Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev is an experienced Pediatric cardiologist who is available at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon to make the lives of kids with heart defects better than before. In this blog, we will know about the best diet options for growing kids to develop healthy hearts as adults when they grow up.

The Developing Building Blocks of a Healthy Heart

Knowing the Process of Cellular Renewal

There are approximately 37.2 trillion cells in the body and every cell in our body is continuously being replaced with new ones and the food we consume provides the essential elements to support this process of renewal. More than 2 million cells die every second and 2 million more are produced every second to maintain a healthy balance of life. The quality of the food we consume directly affects the quality of our cells. For growing children, whose bodies are constantly growing and developing rapidly, this connection between food and health is even more critical than in adults. It is important to know that by providing kids with nutrient-rich foods, their bodies will also develop healthily and their heart muscles will also remain strong.

Key Nutrients for Heart Health

1. Omega-3 Fatty Acids

Some of the best sources of Omega-3 Fatty Acids are Fatty fish (salmon, mackerel, sardines), flaxseeds, chia seeds, and walnuts. Some major benefits of Omega-3 fatty acids are it is crucial for heart health, they help reduce inflammation, lower blood pressure, and decrease the risk of developing heart disease in the future. Including Omega-3 Fatty Acids in a child’s diet will support the development of a healthy cardiovascular system as they grow.

2. Fiber

Whole grains, fruits (apples, berries, oranges), vegetables (broccoli, carrots), and legumes (beans, lentils) are the best sources of fiber. The major benefits are, that it helps regulate blood sugar levels and lowers cholesterol, both of which are extremely important for heart health. In addition to that, fiber also aids in healthy and proper digestion which helps to maintain a healthy weight.

3. Antioxidants

Some best sources of Antioxidants are fruits (blueberries, strawberries, oranges), vegetables (spinach, kale, tomatoes), and nuts (almonds, pecans). The benefits of Antioxidants include, they protect the body’s cells from many kinds of damage. This protection also helps in offering better immunity to the cardiovascular system, thus, reducing the risk of heart disease.

4. Vitamins and Minerals

Some Key Vitamins and Minerals are Vitamin D, Vitamin E, magnesium, potassium and calcium.

The best source for vitamins and minerals is many including dairy products, leafy greens, nuts and seeds, bananas, avocados, and fortified foods. The benefits of consuming these vitamins and minerals include the vital role they play in maintaining optimal heart health. For example, potassium helps to regulate healthy blood pressure, and magnesium is very essential for competent muscle function, including the heart’s involuntary muscles.

Some Fun and Engaging Ways to Promote Healthy Eating in Kids:

1. Involve Kids in Meal Preparations

It is good to let kids lend a helping hand with the nutritious meal preparation. This can be a fun and practical way to teach them about different foods, their types and uses and the importance of nutrition present in them.

Example Activity: You can organize a “build your own salad snacks time” where kids can choose their toppings from a variety of healthy options of fruits and vegetables.

2. Health Education Through Fun Facts

It is necessary to share some interesting facts about the food to be consumed so that kids can learn about nutrition in a more engaging manner. For example, you can explain to kids how the body regenerates its cells with the food we eat and why the right foods are important for development.

3. Make Healthy Food Attractive for Kids

It is important to present healthy foods in an attractive and fun way for kids to eat enthusiastically. Parents can use colorful fruits and vegetables to create visually appealing plates that are packed with necessary nutrition.

Conclusion: Eat Right From the Start and Develop a Healthy Heart

In summary, the food consumed by children today will shape their future health as adults. Hence it is important to provide a nutritious diet which is rich in omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, antioxidants, and essential vitamins and minerals to develop a healthy heart and maintain overall well-being. It is also necessary for parents to encourage balanced meals, limit processed foods, ensure proper hydration, make healthy snacks available, and teach about portion control to develop heart-healthy habits from a young age. If the kid suffers from any heart problem soon after birth or during childhood it is advised to consult a doctor who is an expert in Pediatric Cardiology. Dr. Manvinder Singh Sachdev is the Director and Head of the Department of Pediatric Cardiology at Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon he has solved many kids’ complicated heart problems and is one of the best doctors for kids’ heart medical consultations. Remember only by engaging children in practical meal preparation and educating them with fun facts can make the healthy eating habits being developed effectively, these habits will then pave the way for their future health and heart health as well.

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