9 causes of obesity in children, plus how to avoid triggers

9 causes of obesity in children, plus how to avoid triggers

By Namita S Kalla | May 23, 2025 | Image: Canva

Limit junk food and sugary snacks

A diet full of fast food, sweets, and fizzy drinks means children consume far more calories than they actually need daily

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Encourage regular physical movement

Kids spending hours on screens, like phones, games, or TV, burn fewer calories and miss out on vital muscle-building activity

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Address emotional eating patterns early

Stress, sadness, or boredom can lead children to eat for comfort, not hunger, making weight gain a coping mechanism

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Promote better sleep habits

Too little sleep throws hunger hormones out of balance, increasing cravings and appetite even when the body doesn’t need food

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Minimise exposure to junk food ads

Marketing works because kids are easily swayed by colourful adverts and may ask for unhealthy snacks they’ve seen on screens

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Cut down on sugary drinks

Drinks like soda or sweet juices add calories without filling kids up, leading to regular overeating and long-term weight gain

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Be mindful of portion control

Large serving sizes, whether at restaurants or home, encourage children to eat more than necessary without realising they’re overeating

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Make healthy choices, not just restrict

Children may not be “lazy” but simply unaware—teaching them about healthy options helps build better lifelong habits

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Encourage children to drink more water

When kids are even slightly dehydrated, they often confuse thirst with hunger and end up eating instead of sipping water

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