According to the study, there are two critical periods in childhood development when obesity is especially dangerous: at age 5 and during puberty. It is during these periods of active growth that extra pounds can trigger the development of serious chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, Mail.ru reports with reference to an interview with nutritionist Olga Panova.
The reason for this alarming trend is a modern lifestyle characterized by low physical activity and high consumption of foods that are high in calories and low in nutritional value. Children spend more and more time on gadgets, and their diet is full of fast food and sugary drinks.
Panova emphasized that it is necessary to radically change the eating habits of children and encourage them to play sports.
