Gaziantep Private ANKA Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özge Başkülekçi drew attention to the rapidly increasing obesity problem in children in recent years. Stating that obesity is among the most important health problems of the current century, Gaziantep Private ANKA Hospital Nutrition and Diet Specialist Özge Başkülekçi warned families about this issue. Nutrition and Diet Specialist Başkülekçi said, “Obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation in the body to the extent that it impairs health. Today, it is among the most common chronic diseases of childhood. Genetic, physiological, sociocultural, environmental, psychological and nutritional factors cause obesity. Childhood obesity is largely related to nutrition and sedentary lifestyle. Obesity, which affects not only adults but also children and young people to a great extent, brings many diseases when necessary precautions are not taken. Among the reasons for the increase in the incidence of obesity are the decrease in physical activity due to the lifestyle that has become easier with increasing technology and the change in eating habits in modern life. Sedentary activities such as watching TV for more than 2 to 3 hours a day, using computers, tablets or phones, high energy intake in a single meal due to eating outside the home, increased consumption of sugary and fatty foods, drinks with high sugar content, irregular meal times, not enough healthy vegetables and fruits in meals and insufficient physical activity cause obesity in children. The diet that begins to form in the first years of life, the duration of breastfeeding, the type and amount of complementary foods also affect obesity. Relationships between mother, father and child, problems in the home environment, failures in lessons, feeling worthless and being excluded by friends also affect the mental structure of the child and cause eating disorders.” Başkülekçi stated that obesity causes serious health problems and that families have a great duty in getting rid of the risk of obesity in children and said, “Obesity has negative effects on the endocrine system, cardiovascular system, respiratory system, gastrointestinal system, skin, genitourinary system, musculoskeletal system and psychosocial status. In the fight against obesity in children, it is extremely important to work as a team including dieticians, physicians, psychologists and teachers, especially families.”
