Childhood Obesity - A Rising Issue
Obesity the word itself connects you to various lifestyle disorders such as Diabetes, Heart Diseases, etc. It is rising more and more due to the change in lifestyle. Yet people don't understand it's severity.
Let's look at some of the facts
- Worldwide obesity has nearly
tripled since 1975.
- In 2016, more than 1.9
billion adults, 18 years and older, were overweight. Of these over 650
million were obese.
- 39% of adults aged 18 years
and over were overweight in 2016, and 13% were obese.
- Most of the world's
population live in countries where overweight and obesity kills more
people than underweight.
- 38 million children under the
age of 5 were overweight or obese in 2019.
- Over 340 million children and
adolescents aged 5-19 were overweight or obese in 2016.
- Obesity is preventable
Of course the raise in obesity is an issue to be worried about, but a bigger issue is childhood obesity. People are more ignorant about Childhood obesity
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| Childhood obesity |
What is obesity
Overweight and obesity are defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered overweight, and over 30 is obese.
We all know how harmful it is to be obese or rather even overweight in adulthood, but there are various issues even due to childhood obesity that are easily neglected
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1. It can cause high blood pressure, high cholesterol, which are major risk factors to cardio-vascular disease or heart problems ( yes heart problems in children )
2. It can also cause resistance to insulin leading to type 2 diabetes
3. May cause joint problems
4. It may also lead to fatty liver, gallstones, heartburn, etc.
5. It may also lead to low self-esteem,anxiety and depression
Now we've seen the how harmful childhood obesity can be but it is totally preventable, but first what exactly are the reasons?
1. Lack of physical activity
This isn't a surprising reason. Increase mobile and video games, screen time, lack of open spaces and playground, increase in study and competition has contributed in reducing the physical play time of children. Obviously lack of exercise will obviously cause increase in weight.
2. Excess calorie intake and junk food
Children are getting attracted to junk food. The issue with junk food is that they are filled with calories but don't have any other nutrients and no fibers at all. This leads to weight gain through all the empty calories
3. Sedentary lifestyle
Our lifestyle is changing, it becoming more of sedentary. We have transport to travel, home-deliveries, no need to the household chores. There is reduction in movement naturally. Also there is a major danger from the attractive advertisements from junk food sellers.This all affects the health of child!
4. Lack of nutrition knowledge
There are many *myths* abut nutrition. Also lack of awareness about childhood health problems and how it can also be prevented through nutrition.
This are just few reasons leading, i'm sure there many more and we just cannot blame one factor for the issue. However it is important to look for solution as fighting with this disease in in our hands. Reducing it before it attacks back is very necessary.
What we can do to Prevent Childhood obesity
1.At home
1. It starts by giving balanced diet to pregnant mother. If a mother is over-eating during pregnancy, there are chances of baby being overweight
2. It is necessary to encourage exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months. Only breast milk has to be given and not even water to a baby for first 6 months
3. We should encourage children to do physical activity at least for 1 hour daily
4. Screen time can be reduced to 2 hour daily
5. Encouraging children to do household chores and being physical active. They can also help in cooking food. In such way they'l also become aware of healthy foods and become independent too
6. Junk foods are the main culprits, because children munch packets and packets and then don't eat nutritious home made food
7. They have to be provided healthy nutritious breakfast so they don't eat outside foods, which may not only affect their health but also may cause various food borne disease
2. At schools
1. . Schools should give equal importance to physical activity and it should be an integral part of the curriculum
2. Banning junk food as a tiffin and in canteen, also providing an healthier option in canteen itself, helps at lot
3 . Creating an awareness about nutrition in children through curriculum itself
3. At community level
1. Misleading food advertisements have to be restricted
2. Construction of more parks and playgrounds so children have more space for playing
3. Safer food paths and roads so children can go walking or by cycles to schools
4. Encouraging innovative companies that manufacture healthy foods
Fighting this issue and reducing it is not just an individual's responsibility but can be only done by joint effort. This are just a few ways how it can be reduced. Children are future of our nation
Healthy children are the first step to a healthy nation
Obesity is a totally preventable and also curable with right diet and physical activity and change in lifestyle
I hope this helps you to take a step forward to an healthy life
References
Your blogs helped me a lot, just wanna say thank you and keep it up🔥
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