| Dr Andrew Binns, The latest figures to be released show that 20% of our youth between the ages of 2-18 years are overweight or obese. This is a dramatic increase over the last two decades and is a major health concern. For example, the potential for diabetes and heart disease to develop at a younger age is increasing.
A social problem
Obesity is a social problem. In today’s environment, opportunities to be active are being replaced by pressures to be sedentary. This has happened in a world where there is an over-abundance of readily available high fat food. We should not blame children for being overweight but rather look at the reasons for this and try to improve their environment so that there is more opportunity to correct this state of caloric energy surplus.
However, we need to avoid over emphasising how one looks and dieting, both of which are strongly supported by a fashion industry that promotes thin role models as desirable. This approach has led to a marked increase in eating disorders including anorexia nervosa. So we have the unacceptable situation of increasing eating disorders as well as obesity. The physical and psychological issues needs to be addressed in both groups.
Looking at movement as an opportunity
For obesity the emphasis should be on behavioural change rather than weight loss. A whole family approach is the way to go. Things like questioning the use of the car versus walking or using public transport should be a family consideration. Every opportunity to walk to school, the bus or to the shops should be preferred to driving. Even remote controls, whilst great inventions, can take away an opportunity to consume energy. While this may sound trivial, the frequency with which we use such devices over the long term makes them important in the energy balance equation.
Reduce TV time
Many studies have linked the number of hours watching television with childhood obesity. Limiting the time children spend in front of a television or a computer screen can be beneficial.
Increase outdoor time
Safety for children is often put forward as a reason not to encourage outside activities. Whilst this is a concern, the actual number of bad outcomes is no more than in days gone by, but of course the publicity surrounding such events is vastly greater. Political pressure for better town planning with more parks, walkways and bicycle tracks is an issue for us all. Physical activity needs to be fun not a chore.
Healthy eating for the whole family
As regards energy intake, a whole family approach is needed rather than a just one family member having to do something different. For example breakfast provides an excellent opportunity to eat a filling low fat meal that decreases the desire for high fat snacking later in the day.
There are many low fat snacks that can be made available for hungry children later in the day. Snacking in front of TV should be discouraged and shopping needs to take in to account the need for healthy grazing. Use water to quench the thirst and limit tastier sweet drinks for pleasurable occasions.
Sit down family meals help to manage the size of meals and children need to set the levels of how much they eat and not be forced to finish everything on the plate.
Further reading: Growing Up Not Out - A Weight Management Guide For Families by Dr Kate Steinbeck.
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