[Medical Q&A] Knowing this, do you still think chubby babies are cuter?

Author: Huo Liang, Associate Professor, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University, Associate Chief Physician

Reviewer: Liu Xueyan, Professor and Chief Physician, Shengjing Hospital, China Medical University

Many people believe that a fat child is a sign of "health", but in fact, the health problems caused by obesity cannot be ignored.

Obesity refers to long-term energy intake exceeding consumption, resulting in excessive energy stored in the body in the form of fat, and the accumulation of fat reaches a level that damages health. Obesity has become an important cause of harm to the health of Chinese children. The harm of obesity is not only unsightly, but also causes a series of diseases, such as respiratory system: sleep apnea, increased risk of asthma; cardiovascular system: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, early childhood atherosclerosis, etc.; digestive system: non-alcoholic fatty liver, gallstones; endocrine system: type 2 diabetes, precocious puberty, etc.; musculoskeletal system: premature closure of epiphyseal lines, degenerative arthritis; urinary system: chronic kidney disease; mental health: inferiority complex, depression, anxiety. Therefore, childhood obesity cannot be ignored!