Childhood obesity is generally defined as having a weight that exceeds two standard deviations above the average weight of healthy children of the same gender, age, and height; or exceeding 20% above the average weight of children of the same age and gender. Clinically, obesity in children is often caused by excessive eating, known as simple obesity. In recent years, the incidence of simple obesity has been increasing in our country. Childhood obesity can lead to adult obesity, hypertension, coronary heart disease, and diabetes, making it a precursor to these chronic metabolic disorders. Therefore, it should be taken seriously and prevented early. Simple obesity is the most common type of obesity, accounting for about 95% of the obese population, mainly caused by genetic factors and excessive nutrition.
Obesity can occur at any age in children, but it is most commonly seen in infancy, preschool age, and adolescence. These children have a good appetite and large food intake; they prefer to eat sweet and fatty foods and consume less vegetables. They are often inactive and tend to be introverted. Modern medicine believes that the causes of this condition may be related to genetics, certain endocrine changes, psychological factors, excessive eating, and lack of physical activity. Traditional Chinese medicine believes that overeating and improper rest disrupt the digestive function of the spleen and stomach, leading to the accumulation of phlegm and dampness in the body, resulting in obesity. Common clinical symptoms include obvious obesity, advanced bone development compared to children of the same age, thick subcutaneous fat evenly distributed, with the most accumulation in the cheeks, shoulders, chest, abdomen, and limbs, with thick thighs and upper arms but thin limbs. Blood pressure is generally normal or slightly elevated.
Massage Method 1
1. Common Techniques
(1) The child lies on his back, and the parent sits on his right side, using the right hand's knuckles to massage the Zhongwan point counterclockwise for 5 minutes, with moderate pressure.
(2) The child lies on his back, and the parent uses the right thumb and middle finger to knead the bilateral Tian Shu points clockwise for 1-3 minutes.
(3) The child lies on his back, and the parent uses both thumbs, index, and middle fingers to simultaneously lift and hold the muscle tissue at the upper and lower parts of the navel, with a twisting and pressing motion when lifting, and a slow motion when releasing. Repeat this action 10-20 times.
(4) Use the middle finger to knead the Qihai point for 1 minute.
(5) Use both palms to alternate massage along the ascending colon, transverse colon, and descending colon for 10-20 times.
(6) Massage Zusanli and Fenglong points for 1-3 minutes, and tap Hegu point 10-15 times.
(7) Knead Pishu and Weishu points for 1 minute each.
2. Additional Techniques
(1) For obese children with shortness of breath and fatigue, additional techniques can be applied:
① Knead the Shanzhong point for 1 minute.
② Pinch the spine 5-10 times.
③ Rub the upper chest area until it becomes warm.
④ Strengthen the Spleen meridian 300 times and the Lung meridian 100 times.
(2) For obese children with constipation, additional techniques can be applied:
① Push down on the sacral bone 300 times and knead the coccyx for 1 minute.
② Rub the sides of the ribs 30-50 times.
Massage Method 2
1. Common Techniques
(1) The child lies on his back, and the parent uses the palm to press and knead the Guan Yuan point in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions for 5 minutes.
(2) The child lies on his back, and the parent stands in front of the child's head, using one palm to push from the epigastrium to the pubic bone, for a total of 10 times.
(3) The parent massages the muscles of the child's limbs for 3 minutes.
(4) Knead and tap Zusanli and Fenglong points 20 times each.
(5) The child lies prone, and the parent taps both sides of the spine from top to bottom. Repeat this action 10-15 times.
(6) The child lies prone, and the parent uses the palm to rub the child's lumbar and sacral area until it becomes warm.
Addressing Childhood Obesity Cannot Rely Solely on Dieting
1. Communication:
Treating children with obesity and getting them to stop eating snacks is a challenging task. Therefore, before implementing dietary control, it is essential to explain the dangers of obesity, the hazards of snacks, and the treatment plan to the child in a patient and detailed manner, in order to obtain their cooperation. This is crucial for the successful implementation of the treatment.
2. Diet:
For dietary treatment of children, it is necessary to understand the nutritional characteristics of the diseased child in order to develop a diet plan for different age groups and stages of the disease. It is important to diversify their food intake, ensure sufficient vitamins, avoid stimulating condiments, cook food by steaming, boiling, or cold mixing, reduce the intake of easily digestible carbohydrates (such as sucrose), and limit the consumption of sweets, pastries, biscuits, bread, potatoes, and fatty foods, especially fatty meat. Protein intake can be increased appropriately with foods such as soy products and lean meat.
3. Calorie Intake:
It is not necessary to completely eliminate sugar and sugary foods when trying to lose weight. It is important to remember that childhood obesity is during the growth period, and extreme calorie restriction should be avoided. School-age children grow about 5-6 cm per year, and as long as their weight remains stable, their obesity level will improve after one year.
Experts remind parents that extreme dietary restrictions can cause psychological suppression in children and sometimes resistance to treatment. Therefore, by adjusting the diet of obese children in a reasonable manner, it is possible to achieve effective weight loss without affecting their growth and development.
