Family Doctor Heading// Risk factors for overweight and obesity in children
Excess weight in children directly influences their development, making them more vulnerable to infections. Read more about how extra kilos affect children's development from Pavel Cepraga in the interview with Ala Holban, PhD, lecturer, paediatrics department, USMF Nicolae Testemitanu.
"The recommendation to feed the baby on demand is often misperceived, so that some mothers practically every hour apply the baby to the breast. The baby needs communication, attention, and every indisposition is perceived as hunger", Ala Holban said.
The most common situation of overeating is found in children who are fed formula milk. Proportions are often not taken into account.
Obesity once established in the early years will become a permanent condition: 80% of overweight or obese children will have the same weight and nutrition problems in adult life, associated with other serious conditions. A child's state of health is the responsibility of the parents, starting during pregnancy and continuing into the first years of life, until the child creates his or her own healthy and balanced habits and routine.
