Conference of Disease-based Obesity in Children Hosted by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences

Conference of Disease-based Obesity in Children was held on October 18^th in Ghaem Hospital of Mashhad. This conference, hosted by Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, was attended by 200 specialists including pediatricians, general surgeons, internists, emergency doctors, and general practitioners.

According to WEBDA, Executive Secretary of the Conference of Disease-based Obesity in Children added that Professor Manouchehr Karjoo from the USA and Professor Valvio Tobili from Italy were the special foreign guests in this conference.

Dr. Mohammad Ali Kiani stressed that in this conference, the latest information about treatment and side effects of obesity and weight gain in children were presented and discussed.

Faculty Member of Department of Children Gastroenterology added that prevalence of obesity in Iranian children has doubled in recent years.

He added that 30 percent of Iranian children suffer from obesity and weight gain. Improper dietary habits, fast food consumption, reduced mobility and physical activity are among the reasons of obesity in children.

Pointing to the growing trend of obesity in children and adults, he stressed that obesity can cause various diseases such as musculoskeletal pain, blood pressure, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and endocrine disorders.

Professor of Upstate University of America stated that human body consists of 30 percent of fat, 30 percent of protein, and 40 percent of carbohydrate.

Professor Manouchehr Karjoo added that increased consumption of sugar and fat will disrupt the amount of food balance in the body and will lead to obesity and weight gain in children and adults.

He stated that according to proper diets against obesity, consumption of sugar and fat in the body must reduce by 20 percent and consumption of protein in the body must increase.

According to him, salty foods, due to more water absorption, eating fast, avoiding chewing the food, stress while eating food, and inadequate sleep all lead to obesity in people.

Karjoo pointed out that increased intake of sugar and fat is not always associated with obesity. Other factors such as genetic and familial factors are involved as well, and if an obese mother becomes pregnant, it is possible for the baby to become obese in 50 percent of cases.

According to him, a child with obese parents is probable to become obese in 80 percent of cases.