CHILDHOOD OBESITY: ASSOCIATED FACTORS AND HEALTH RISKS

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a multifactorial nutritional condition characterized by excessive accumulation of fat in adipose tissue. It is considered a chronic condition, with several related causes, including genetic, environmental, behavioral and metabolic factors. It is estimated that 6.4 million children are overweight in Brazil and 3.1 million have already developed obesity. The disease affects 13.2% of children between 5 and 9 years old monitored by the Unified Health System (SUS), of the Ministry of Health, and can have worrying consequences throughout their lives. Discuss the impacts that obesity and overweight can have on the lives of children between 2 and 12 years old in their social life. This is a qualitative study, aiming to observe the importance of preventing and controlling childhood obesity, the growth of self-confidence and self-image of children, carried out based on the selection of scientific articles and research with a national production approach looking for information on childhood obesity. After defining the theme, a search was carried out in virtual health environments: Ministry of Health (WHO), Scientific Electronic Library Online (SCIELO) and Virtual Health Library (BVS). The following controlled descriptors were used: Childhood obesity, children, risks. The next step was a reading. The inclusion criteria adopted were the use of publications between 2019 and 2024, in Portuguese and the availability of the full article in the searched databases. Childhood obesity is a growing public health problem worldwide, with significant consequences for the physical and emotional health of children. The results of this research are expected to provide a deeper understanding of the factors associated with childhood obesity and the risks it poses to children. In addition, the study is expected to reveal insights into the social impacts of childhood overweight and provide recommendations for effective interventions, both at the individual and collective levels, aimed at preventing and treating childhood obesity and improving the quality of life of affected children.