In Russia, the percentage of children who are thin is increasing. According to a 2023 Rosstat study, 2.4% of children aged five to 19 years have low body weight.
The percentage of thinness among boys is especially high – 2.8%, compared to girls, for whom this figure is 2.1%, writes ridus.ru.
Therapist Viktor Lishin noted that, despite the relatively small percentage of childhood thinness in the Russian Federation, this phenomenon requires special attention. According to the doctor, the main factor influencing thinness is genetics.
“Genetics plays a big role: the influence of genes passed on to us by our parents on our health is estimated at 25%. Almost all patients who have weight problems have problems with leptin and ghrelin. These are peptide hormones: the first is from the Greek word “thin”, the second is a hunger hormone in principle. Due to the fact that almost all of us have these hormones genetically “broken,” we have problems with improper fat deposition, with the accumulation of adipose tissue,” the doctor explained.
The second most important factor influencing thinness in children is diet and activity. Diet and lifestyle have a significant impact on gaining the required weight.
“In addition, thinness may be associated with diseases of the cardiovascular system and musculoskeletal system. Do not forget that there are now many more cases of depression, more cases of nervous diseases. This also greatly affects weight. We know that there are two groups of people: some starve under stress, others, on the contrary, overeat,” Lishin added.
At the moment, the number of thin children in Russia is still lower than in Asia, but this number is growing, the specialist noted.
Source: Rosbalt
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