Radical Obesity Treatment Method

The scientists from the Harvard School of Public Health are alarmed that with each year passing by the number of obese children in the world is growing.

Obesity Stats

The problem of obesity cannot be called purely American. “The epidemic of overweight” has embraced not only the USA, but Europe and Asia as well. 38% of European children aged 5 to 18 are overweight, and in China 20% of children suffer from excess pounds.

The saddest statistics still comes from the homeland of fast food: every other American child has a problem with overweight. If previously 50% of the population suffered from excess weight, the figure has now risen to 68%. The doctors are especially frightened by the fact that 17% of children older than 2 years suffer from obesity.

In China, the problem of excess weight has become especially acute after the introduction of the “one family – one child” policy. Together with the increasing income of the population, the number of children with the “little emperor” syndrome is also growing. They lead a sedentary life, spending all their time at the computer with a delicious meal.

How to Treat Obesity in Children?

Different countries have different methods of fighting against excess weight. In the UK, all children of pre-school age are prescribed physical education classes. China has created “diet” camps for children who are overweight. Guides and former military people force the children to be engaged in intensive physical training.

How to Treat Obesity the Radical Way?

But the staff at the Harvard School of Public Health believe that only stress will lead to the desirable result. The scientists have called termination of parental rights the most effective way of struggling with childhood obesity. School activists believe that temporary withdrawal of children from families would benefit all. On the one hand, the child will probably try to lose weight and get back home, and on the other hand, this will make the parents seriously change their lifestyle.

The experts support their opinion with evidence. Their theory has been tested on a girl suffering from obesity. The parents could not provide her with a balanced diet, and the child was sent to a foster family. A year later, she lost 52 kilos and was able to return to her parents.

It is quite clear that this initiative has ardent opponents. Art Caplan, the biologist of the University of Pennsylvania, contradicts the scientists from the Harvard School and believes that one just needs to change the culture of food consumption. Separating the child and the parents can be justified only in one case – if the child is in mortal danger.

What Causes Obesity?

Previously it was thought that excess weight is only present in the countries with high incomes. However, now there is a sharply increasing number of overweight people in the countries with low living standards.

• food intake exceeds energy expenditure;
• disturbances in the systems of the pancreas, liver, small and large intestines;
• genetic disorders.

What Contributes to Obesity?

• sedentary lifestyle;
• consuming simple (easily digestible) carbohydrates, such as sugar, pastries, and cakes;
• endocrine disorders (hypogonadism, hypothyroidism, insulinoma);
• being prone to stress;
• lack of sleep.

Source of the image: Photl.