Protect your child from obesity

The focus will shift to the youth for the month of March, as the country suitably stamps this particular week – March 4 to March 8 – as School Health week.

The World Health Organisation warns that global rates of obesity have reached epidemic proportions, and sadly, our children have not been spared.

According to the Medical Research Council of South Africa, more than 17 percent of children between the ages of one and nine living in urban areas are overweight.

Weigh-Less has highlighted the importance of not only keeping your children safe, but healthy too, thereby protecting them against the epidemic of obesity that is fast plaguing South Africa.

The cumulative causes

The causes of childhood weight gain are varied, with lifestyle factors certainly playing their part.

“Environmental factors play an intertwined role with genetics to determine one’s shape and size,” said dietitian Heidi Lobel.

“The last two decades have witnessed a 54 percent increase in childhood obesity, which indicates that environmental factors are playing an increasing role. Increased dependence on fast foods and convenience foods is a major contributor. In addition, society’s advancement in technology has conditioned our children into a sedentary lifestyle.”

Our problematic perspective

Another issue research is finding is that parents simply don’t recognise their child’s overweight state.

A survey carried out by the Peninsula Medical School in Plymouth, England found that 33 percent of moms and 57 percent of dads considered their child to be a at normal weight, when they were actually obese!

In South Africa, Weigh-Less conducted a similar study on their Facebook page last year.

“We asked respondents if they thought a 9-year-old girl of a certain weight and height was overweight.

“The results conveyed that 63 percent of respondents said ‘no’, whilst 27 percent weren’t sure, and only 18 percent recognised that she was, in fact, at a risk.”

Navigating the way forward

Experts agree that the best way forward is leading by example and employing long-term strategies. Here’s what parents need to do:

1. Deal with the psychology of the matter. Overweight children often feel bombarded with negative messages from school, at parties and through the media. It’s imperative for parents to build self-esteem and body image to provide the tools for children to believe that they can achieve their goals.
2. Limit TV time and encourage kids to participate in sports at school and/or introduce exercise-related activities, such as hiking, cycling or walking the dog, into family life (this includes the benefit of a non-threatening, non-competitive and fun environment).
3. Teach your child how to handle stress in a healthy way. Model the perfect example by keeping your own stress in check; stay organised, use relaxation techniques, and prioritise your responsibilities.
4. Be a water advocate. Instead of buying sodas, sports drinks, and juice boxes, consider having store-bought water on hand instead. Not only does this help in cutting down on the amount of sugar in your child’s diet (and yours), but it also keeps them hydrated.
5. Offer children a variety of nutritious foods to promote healthy behaviour and to motivate and enable weight loss. Similarly, teach children about the consequences of good and bad food choices.

Finally, it’s important to note that childhood obesity is a family problem.

It’s essential for the whole family to adopt healthy eating and lifestyle habits.

“Remember, children learn a great deal from their environment!”

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