With child weight gain on the rise, hospitals innovate

Last spring, Youyou (alias) felt embarrassed every time she entered the classroom and took off her coat. Due to her significant weight gain, she perceived herself as "very fat".

At 14, in the throes of puberty, she gained weight rapidly, rising from 39 to 65 kilograms and becoming overweight.

"By the summer vacation in the fifth grade, her weight gain was obvious — she even avoided being in photos," her mother said.

Youyou's physical activity had noticeably declined. She would be out of breath after climbing just three flights of stairs. Her personality also changed. The once cheerful young girl had morphed into a reclusive homebody.

Worried about the path she was on, Youyou's family took her to Wuhan Children's Hospital seeking help.

"In recent years, many children like Youyou have come to the hospital for weight loss. We evaluate each teenager's situation, and for high-risk patients who need timely intervention, we recommend or schedule them for further treatment at the obesity specialty clinic," said Feng Lifang, a doctor in the hospital's genetic metabolism endocrinology department.

Youyou's case was not complicated. After discussing her medical history and lifestyle habits, Feng prescribed lifestyle interventions that focused on improving her dietary structure, controlling portion sizes and increasing physical activity.

Through her own efforts and with support from her parents, Youyou reduced her weight to 59 kg by October of last year. She has since stabilized at around 58 kg.

Obesity among adolescents is becoming increasingly common due to the rapid hormonal changes that occur during puberty, said Feng.

"During this time, hormone secretion intensifies and the appetite grows. As a result, it is easy for adolescents to consume excess calories. Additionally, factors such as increased academic pressure, lack of exercise and insufficient sleep contribute to weight gain."