Combating childhood obesity

Childhood obesity has become an issue of public health interest, particularly since the COVID-19 pandemic that came with reduced activity and increased sedentary lifestyle.

It is frightening to note that the number of children who are obese now has reached epidemic levels globally.

In 2022, it was revealed that worldwide, about 390 million children and adolescents between ages five to 19 were overweight.

Of these, a whopping 160 million (nearly half of them) were found to be obese. 

The prevalence rate of overweight in 1990 was eight per cent. By 2022, it soared to 20 per cent. Sadly, it has been estimated that 23.5 million African children will be obese by the end of 2025, if the trend continues without much intervention.

Health implications

The health implications of this growing problem cannot be ignored. Excessive weight has negative physical health consequences including the effect of pressure on the developing cartilage tissue at the end of the body's long bones.

The consequences on later mobility are dire. It impacts children’s cognition as well, resulting in slower working memory, poor attention, mental inflexibility and poor decision-making skills.

By the end of 2025, it has been estimated that children with obesity-related comorbidities such as impaired glucose tolerance could be as high as 12 million globally, four million with type 2 diabetes, with 27 million children and adolescents suffering hypertension.

Obesity can significantly affect socio-emotional well-being and self-esteem. Children who are obese tend to have fewer friends, resulting in less social interaction, and more time spent by themselves in sedentary activities or indoor.

Factors

Factors contributing to this threat of obesity in childhood include the departure from exclusive breastfeeding (feeding a newborn strictly on breast milk till six months of age), poor parental feeding practices, unhealthy food choices, long hours behind the screens and reduced physical activity.

To address this issue, parents and caregivers must model healthy choices of foods and diet habits that include more fruits and vegetables and less junk foods.

Children who grow up with parents who prioritise and engage in sports and outdoor activities find it easy to adopt the same culture.

It is recommended that children between the ages of four and 12 years aim for at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily.

The greatest burden lies on parents and caregivers. 

Supportive

Beyond this, parents must also create a supportive environment that makes it easy for the children to be active or eat healthy.

For instance, parents can limit screen time and create family time instead.

They can choose to, for instance, buy a bicycle to get the child active if affordable. It is not enough to just offer counsel or complain.

Establish a healthy relationship with food while promoting self-acceptance.

This is to prevent depression and low self-esteem that obese children sometimes face. Parents must safeguard their mental health.

Growth

It is important that body weight and growth progress are monitored from birth especially in families where the scale of genetics tilts towards obesity. It is high time schools pay attention to programmes that facilitate comprehensive health education.

Physical activity and nutrition programmes that are deliberately geared towards keeping children fit are equally important for academic success.

Childhood obesity can negatively impact school performance for several reasons, including the fact that sleep problems that are linked to obesity can contribute to poor concentration at school.

Social groups must make this subject topical as part of their quest to promote the welfare of their members.

Public awareness through media campaigns and community outreaches must continue unabated, with information on how people can readily access healthy lifestyle resources. 

The writer is a Child Development Expert/ Fellow at Zero-to-three Academy, USA.

E-mail: nanaesi_19@yahoo.co.uk