Obesity

The main causes of excessive weight gain in childhood are as follows:

• Unbalanced Nutrition: Consumption of fast-food and sugary foods, refined carbohydrates and high-calorie foods are among the important factors that accelerate weight gain in childhood. Such foods can lead to weight gain with low nutritional value and high calorie content.
• Sedentary Lifestyle: Lack of movement in children is one of the main causes of obesity. Today, as children spend more time in front of the screen, their physical activity levels decrease, which slows down calorie burning.
• Genetic and Familial Predisposition: Genetic factors are one of the important factors affecting weight gain in children. Especially children with a history of obesity in parents may be at higher risk.
• Psychological Factors: Psychological factors such as stress, anxiety or depression in children can also contribute to obesity. Children may tend to eat under emotional stress or their eating habits may become irregular.
• Metabolic and Hormonal Imbalances: Hormonal problems such as insulin resistance, leptin hormone (appetite-regulating hormone) disorders or thyroid imbalances can also accelerate weight gain in children.

Functional medicine takes a holistic approach to the health of individuals by investigating the underlying causes of chronic health problems such as obesity. It focuses on both biological processes and lifestyle and environmental factors when supporting weight management in children. Functional medicine's approach to childhood obesity involves creating a personalised assessment and treatment plan:

• Personalised Nutrition Plan: Functional medicine aims to develop a nutrition plan suitable for each child's genetic structure, lifestyle and biological characteristics. Taking into account the child's digestive system health, food intolerances and micronutrient deficiencies, a balanced nutrition programme enriched with natural and healthy foods is created. For example, complex carbohydrates that balance blood sugar, healthy fats and quality protein sources are prioritised in the diet.
• Supporting Bowel Health: Gut health plays an important role in weight management. Probiotics and prebiotics can be recommended to support children's gut flora with a functional medicine approach. Improving gut health helps to maintain energy balance by increasing food absorption.
• Maintaining Hormonal Balance: Hormones are important factors that directly affect appetite and metabolism in children. Healthy diet and sleep patterns, stress management and physical activity are recommended to balance hormone levels such as insulin, leptin and ghrelin. If hormone imbalances are detected, supportive treatments can be applied with the recommendation of a specialist.
• Psychosocial Support: Weight problems in childhood can lead to social and psychological difficulties. This may lead to self-confidence problems and impaired eating behaviour. Functional medicine recommends family support, professional counselling and self-esteem building activities to protect children's psychological health. It is also important for parents to have a positive approach for the child to develop a healthy body image.
• Lifestyle Changes: Increasing the child's activity level is an effective step in weight management. Functional medicine encourages children to move by offering them sports and activity options that they will enjoy. Activities such as taking walks together as a family, spending time in the park or cycling contribute to children gaining the habit of moving.
• Natural Sleep Pattern: The role of sleep in weight management should not be ignored. Inadequate sleep in children can accelerate weight gain by disrupting hormone balances. To improve sleep quality, it is useful to set regular sleeping hours and limit the use of electronic devices before sleep.

It is very important that families support their children in adopting healthy eating habits. In the functional medicine approach, children's nutrition and lifestyle habits are adopted by all family members:

• Prioritise Food Quality: Include natural, unprocessed and nutritious foods on your child's plate.
• Lead by Example: Children learn by observing their parents' behaviour. Adopting healthy eating habits as a family sets an example for your child.
• Sit at Meals as a Family: Regular and joint meals have a positive effect on children's eating habits.
• Have Fun and Be Positive: Support your child positively in their food choices and encourage them to make healthy choices. Take care not to make this process challenging when acquiring healthy habits.

The functional medicine approach offers a holistic solution to childhood obesity, dealing with the underlying factors, not just the symptoms. With a personalised plan, children are provided with a balanced diet, an active life and healthy habits. Childhood obesity can be managed more effectively when addressed at an early age and can help children step into a healthy future.

Early acquisition of healthy habits in dealing with obesity contributes to the protection of children's health throughout their lives.