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Suggest Treatment For Obesity In Children

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Posted on Mon, 7 Sep 2015
Question: My 11 yr old daughter has always had a tummy. However I always thought it was due to my ex-wife's cooking. But I have had my daughter all summer and my fiancé has been cooking. She is a health " nut " and has also taught my daughter how to run. They go out running every night. We do not even own a TV and my daughter is active all day. We live in the country and she plays with her brothers all day jumping on the trampoline, etc. I would think she would be losing her belly weight but she has not lose anything. She looks like she is 8 months pregnant. That is how big her belly is. And it is not flabby, it is hard. I believe she may have an auto immune disease( just my uneducated guess). What do you think It could be?
doctor
Answered by Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain (2 hours later)
Brief Answer:
Get her evaluated by a pediatrician

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query


I can understand your concern.In 80 %of children the cause of obesity is idiopathic (cause could not be found even after thorough investigations).In 20 % cases it can be hormonal or genetic.
Obesity in children should assess in correlation with linear growth (height) and pubertal development.
The management depends on Early/ late or usual onset of puberty with normal or slow linear growth.
There can be hormonal or autoimmune causes like thyroid,growth hormone,insulin related disorder or autoimmune like polygandular syndrome.Polycystic ovarian disease is another common cause of obesity in female child and it should also be ruled out.
In most of the cases the cause could not be found and it is idiopathic.
The dietary,lifestyle modification and behavioral management are the mainstay of management.
In hormonal causes specific management may be needed.

I would suggest you to get her clinically evaluated by a pediatrician and then accordingly investigation and management will be needed.

Regards
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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Answered by
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Dr. Dr. Pradeep Kumar Jain

Pediatrician, Cardiology

Practicing since :2006

Answered : 2073 Questions

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Suggest Treatment For Obesity In Children

Brief Answer: Get her evaluated by a pediatrician Detailed Answer: Hello Thanks for the query I can understand your concern.In 80 %of children the cause of obesity is idiopathic (cause could not be found even after thorough investigations).In 20 % cases it can be hormonal or genetic. Obesity in children should assess in correlation with linear growth (height) and pubertal development. The management depends on Early/ late or usual onset of puberty with normal or slow linear growth. There can be hormonal or autoimmune causes like thyroid,growth hormone,insulin related disorder or autoimmune like polygandular syndrome.Polycystic ovarian disease is another common cause of obesity in female child and it should also be ruled out. In most of the cases the cause could not be found and it is idiopathic. The dietary,lifestyle modification and behavioral management are the mainstay of management. In hormonal causes specific management may be needed. I would suggest you to get her clinically evaluated by a pediatrician and then accordingly investigation and management will be needed. Regards