What tests should be done for childhood obesity? Liver fibrosis scanner to confirm the degree of fatty liver

According to a survey conducted by the Sports Administration, the proportion of citizens in large cities with overweight and obese BMIs is increasing year by year. In Taiwan, about 1 in 2 adults, regardless of gender, is overweight, and children are not much different, with about 1 in 3 being overweight or obese. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also found that eight of the top ten causes of death in Taiwan in 2022 were related to obesity, which means that obesity has become a "chronic killer of the nation" and its impact on health is far more serious than we imagined.

Eating out can lead to obesity

Adults are accustomed to eating out and eating junk food at home, which may passively affect children or teenagers who do not have obesity problems. They often eat these foods with the adults in the family and unknowingly consume too many calories, which leads to the dilemma of being fat even if they don't want to.

Among many obese children, more than 70% will continue to be obese in adulthood, resulting in a risk of diabetes, metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia that is three times higher than that of people with a healthy weight. This will eventually increase the risk of cancer and death. Therefore, it is urgent to take proactive measures to combat obesity and protect health during adolescence.

Childhood obesity must be prevented

If teenagers have the problem of being overweight, it is recommended that they go to the outpatient clinic to consult a specialist. The bioimpedance analysis instrument can evaluate the muscle mass and fat composition of the whole body, and conduct accurate blood and physical examinations to understand whether the three highs (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids) and insulin resistance have appeared. In addition, abdominal ultrasound and liver fibrosis scanner examinations can be arranged to analyze the extent of fatty liver and whether liver fibrosis is already present. Only by using these high-end scientific instruments to check at your own expense and identify health problems can we provide a customized and precise weight loss plan.

The liver fibrosis scanner can help us understand the extent of fatty liver and whether there are any liver fibrosis lesions. ※The image is from Chuang Kang Medical Equipment Co., Ltd. (Photo provided by Far Eastern Hospital)

in conclusion

"Eat less and exercise more" is the correct way to lose weight that has never changed. How can you eat smartly and exercise happily? The key is to eat the right food, change the diet structure, provide one-on-one weight loss diet consultation and give advice on dietary adjustments. In addition to dietary adjustments, you also need to exercise to reduce fat and increase muscle in order to maintain the weight loss results and avoid regaining weight. If adolescents (over 12 years old) do not achieve good results in losing weight using the above methods, or have developed signs of the three highs (high blood pressure, high blood sugar, and high blood lipids), they may be able to develop a personalized weight loss plan through self-paid injections (slimming pens such as Liraglutide, etc.) or weight loss surgery after evaluation by a doctor, in order to lose weight safely and effectively and prevent the occurrence of cardiovascular disease.

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