Childhood obesity with the rapid globalization and industrialization happening around us, our food habits have also changed drastically. We are surrounded by supermarkets that are flooded with varieties of foods ranging from canned and processed foods, cold cut meats and frozen food items and also a number of restaurants serving fast foods and inadvertently we are tempted to try all of it. 

But what about our children? Do you think you're giving your child the right nutrition? Is your child overweight? Today, nearly one out of four children and teens in developed countries are overweight or obese with nearly 340 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 yrs ~14.4 Mn. indian children are recorded obese - WHO. Let’s find out more on this global public health crisis in this article. 

Childhood obesity has increased over the past few years and it is an increasing concern with respect to the health and well-being of the child. Obesity is nothing but an excess of body fat for that particular age. 

Excessive sugar intake (soft drinks, sweets, chocolates), increased portion size, and steady decline in physical activity have been playing major roles in the rising rates of obesity all around the world. 

What are the causes of Childhood 

  • obesity Imbalance between calorie intake and calories utilized. 
  • Genetic factors (runs in the family) 
  • Environmental factors (lack of facilities for physical activities, parents providing junk food) 
  • abnormal Behavioural factors in some cases (binge-eating, lack of physical activity) 
  • Certain medications

What are the consequences of Childhood obesity 

  • Health risks in adulthood. 
  • Developing early puberty in children 
  • Menstrual irregularities in adolescent girls 
  • Sleep disorders 
  • Risk of diabetes 
  • Having high cholesterol levels metabolic and eating disorders 
  • Psychological issues such as depression, anxiety, poor self-esteem, body image and peer relationships

What are the treatment/preventive measures for Childhood obesity? 

  • Nutritional counselling without judging the parents for their child’s obesity. 
  • Educating the parents/caregiver on healthy eating habits. 
  • Motivational interviewing techniques to change the behavioural patterns of the child. 
  • Identifying unhealthy eating practices, encouraging physical activities and limiting sedentary activities (TV, phones, computers etc). 
  • Children learn by examples around them. 
  • Tell your child about the healthy food that you are eating.
  • Involve them during cooking and let them play an active part in deciding the menu. 
  • Thereby, together healthy food choices can be made.

What should a healthy diet consist of for a child?

  • Give your child a balanced diet with food from all the food groups (vegetables and fruits, whole grain products, protein and healthy fat). 
  • Children need three meals a day and snacks (morning and evening).  
  • Serve and encourage consumption of a wide variety of fruits and vegetables. This should include red (beets, tomatoes), orange (carrots, squash), yellow (potatoes, bananas), green (lettuce, broccoli) and so on—just like eating a rainbow. 
  • Schedule regular meal times and limit dining out. 
  • Healthy snacks are just as important as the food you serve at meals. 
  • Cut vegetables, trail mix with dry fruits, flavoured yoghurt and berries, dark chocolate with nuts are some of the snack options you can opt for. 
  • Aim to limit your child’s calories from added sugars, saturated and trans fat. 

Healthy eating starts at home and as a family, you can break the cycle of weight problems and obesity, boost your child’s physical and mental health, and help them establish a healthy relationship with food that will last a lifetime. 

Let them know that you love them and that all you want to do is help them be healthy, lively, robust & happy. 

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