How to improve adolescent obesity and developmental disorders

Adolescent obesity related developmental disorders can be improved through adjusting dietary structure, increasing physical activity, ensuring adequate sleep, psychological intervention, and medical monitoring. Adolescent obesity may be caused by genetic factors, unhealthy dietary habits, lack of exercise, hormonal imbalances, and psychological stress, and requires comprehensive intervention.

1. Adjust dietary structure

Reduce intake of high sugar and high-fat foods, increase the proportion of high-quality protein and dietary fiber. Replace refined rice and flour with whole grains as the daily staple food, and pair with appropriate amounts of lean meat, fish, and soy products. Vegetables and fruits should account for more than half of the plate, avoiding sugary drinks and fried snacks. The main cooking method is steaming and stewing, with controlled amounts of cooking oil and salt. Parents need to help their children establish regular meal times and avoid overeating.

2. Increase physical activity

Engage in 5 or more moderate to high-intensity aerobic exercises per week, such as jogging, swimming, or skipping rope, for at least 30 minutes each time. Combining resistance training such as push ups, squats, etc., 2-3 times a week to promote muscle development. Reduce sedentary time and engage in simple stretching activities during breaks. The exercise plan should be gradual and avoid injuries or resistance caused by excessive intensity.

3. Ensure adequate sleep

Maintain 8-10 hours of high-quality sleep daily and avoid using electronic devices one hour before bedtime. Lack of sleep can disrupt the secretion of growth hormone, affecting height development and metabolic function. Establish a fixed schedule and keep the bedroom environment dark and quiet. If there are sleep disorders, difficulties in falling asleep can be improved by soaking feet in hot water, playing light music, and other methods.

4. Psychological Intervention

Obese adolescents are prone to emotional problems such as inferiority and anxiety, and need to establish confidence through psychological counseling or group activities. Parents should avoid negative evaluations and encourage their children to participate more in social activities. Schools can carry out body image education to help correct understanding of body shape changes. Serious psychological problems require the intervention of professional psychologists to avoid developing into eating disorders.

5. Medical Monitoring

Regularly monitor bone age, sex hormone levels, and metabolic indicators to rule out diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome or thyroid dysfunction. If the BMI exceeds the 95th percentile of peers, medication such as metformin can be used as an adjuvant therapy under the guidance of a doctor. For severe obesity combined with echinococcosis or sleep apnea, endocrinology consultation should be considered.

Reasonable weight loss goals should be set during the improvement process, with a weekly weight loss of no more than 0.5 kilograms. Parents should take the lead in practicing a healthy lifestyle and avoid emphasizing their children's weight issues separately. Schools can cooperate to provide nutritionally balanced lunches and exercise classes. If developmental delay persists or is accompanied by other abnormal symptoms, timely medical attention should be sought to investigate organic diseases. Long term adherence to healthy habits is more important than short-term rapid weight loss, as it helps maintain an ideal body shape after adolescence.