Overweight kids: Is it food or Thyroid? Is it Thyroid Influencing your weight? Better know it before its too late!

We cherish and remember our childhood days of returning with gained weight from our grandparent’s place. Being healthy, chubby and a little overweight is considered as a sign of good life. But overeating at bizarre time intervals only leads to gaining unhealthy pounds of weight. Being overweight is not a statement of luxury but, is a reason to worry. As one of its reason can be improper functioning of thyroid gland.

Body Weight and Thyroid Disorders

There is a complex relationship between thyroid hormones (THs) and body weight. Thyroid hormones like Triiodothyronine (T3) regulate various functions like heart rhythm, muscle functions, development of brain and bone maintenance. Irregular levels of THs can cause disorders/diseases like cardiovascular disease, diabetes mellitus, chronic liver disease and obesity.

Thyroid in Children - A Serious Concern!

When thyroid produce excess of THs, the condition is termed as Hyperthyroidism, while the condition wherein production of THs is inadequate it is termed as Hypothyroidism. Overweight kids show a high chance of having thyroid disorders if they show following symptoms:

  • Weight gain with loss of appetite
  • Decreased energy
  • Swollen or puffy appearance
  • Decreased growth rate
  • Muscle soreness
  • Constipation

Diagnosis

A complete thyroid panel testing is usually recommended for the diagnosis of thyroid related disorders. It includes testing the blood levels of:

  • TSH (Thyroid stimulating hormone), T3 and T4 (Thyroxine)- This test is particularly helpful in the detection Hypothyroidism and Hyperthyroidism.
  • Free T3 and T4- It is more useful for the detection of Hyperthyroidism

Nevertheless many parents fail to understand the appropriate requirement of growing children. Thus, end up adding fat content by feeding them buttery, cheesy, overcooked delicacies. It is important for them to grasp the importance of healthy balanced food, not just for themselves but, for their young ones too. So next time when your child cries over fries or pizza loaded with cheese, being a parent you should know enough about obesity or weight gain and then opt for foods. Also, the food or lifestyle should not just be blamed without checking if the weight gain is beyond it and the thyroid hormones are instead the culprit. If you as a parent don’t understand it’s seriousness, how would your kid ever be able to stay fit? After all a whole lot of life is awaiting for them.