Tuesday 5 February 2013
11. Obesity and physical activity in children
Recent studies of children in the US have shown that at least 30% are either overweight or obese. Although in India we have long faced the problem of under nutrition among our children; increasing affluence, sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise have now made obesity a growing problem in our country.
What are the adverse effects of obesity and why has it suddenly become a problem in our society?
Obesity is linked with hypertension (high BP), high cholesterol, higher risk of heart attacks and diabetes. So, it is clearly not a benign problem. Obesity however seems to be taken very lightly in our society. Traditionally the home-cooked Indian food that our grandparents used to eat provided a balanced diet with starch (rice or roti), protein (dal, lentils and occasionally meat) and a small amount of fat (cooking oil/ghee) along with a variety of fruits and vegetables catering to all our nutritional needs.
Now, this simple diet has been largely replaced by processed snack foods with high salt content (potato chips, namkeen etc), restaurant food which is often high in both salt and oil content (required to preserve food for longer) and western style fast foods. Also, we all have much more sedentary lifestyles than our forefathers; taking the car to the corner shop rather than walking or cycling and for many of us a major part of the day is spent sitting at a table in a cramped office environment with no access to fresh air or light. Only few young people are motivated to exercise preferring instead to spend time in front of computers and play stations.
Is childhood obesity really important? Do children not grow out of it?
Studies have shown that childhood obesity is closely linked to adult obesity. Children who are obese are more likely to grow into adults who are obese. They also have evidence of thickening of their blood vessels even during childhood which is a predictor of future heart attacks and strokes.
Also, children with parents who are themselves overweight or obese are more likely to be overweight. So it is important for us to set an example and stay fit.
What can be done to prevent or control childhood obesity?
A healthy lifestyle should be encouraged from a young age. Adopting healthy cooking practices at home e.g. steaming or grilling vegetable and meat rather than frying is beneficial to all. Daily exercise for 30-60 minutes should be part of a child's routine. Encourage participation in team and individual sport. This will improve not only the child's fitness but also his social skills and make him a better team player/leader. Snacking between meals should be avoided and healthy snacks encouraged e.g. carrot sticks, fruit slices etc.
Does weight loss in an obese child improve his or her future risk of heart attacks and stroke?
Studies have shown that intervention in the form of diet control and exercise in obese and overweight children has improved their cholesterol profile and blood pressure. This in turn reduces the risk of future heart attacks and strokes. I cannot over emphasize the importance of healthy living especially during childhood as these lifestyle habits will last lifelong.
What are the adverse effects of obesity and why has it suddenly become a problem in our society?
Obesity is linked with hypertension (high BP), high cholesterol, higher risk of heart attacks and diabetes. So, it is clearly not a benign problem. Obesity however seems to be taken very lightly in our society. Traditionally the home-cooked Indian food that our grandparents used to eat provided a balanced diet with starch (rice or roti), protein (dal, lentils and occasionally meat) and a small amount of fat (cooking oil/ghee) along with a variety of fruits and vegetables catering to all our nutritional needs.
Now, this simple diet has been largely replaced by processed snack foods with high salt content (potato chips, namkeen etc), restaurant food which is often high in both salt and oil content (required to preserve food for longer) and western style fast foods. Also, we all have much more sedentary lifestyles than our forefathers; taking the car to the corner shop rather than walking or cycling and for many of us a major part of the day is spent sitting at a table in a cramped office environment with no access to fresh air or light. Only few young people are motivated to exercise preferring instead to spend time in front of computers and play stations.
Is childhood obesity really important? Do children not grow out of it?
Studies have shown that childhood obesity is closely linked to adult obesity. Children who are obese are more likely to grow into adults who are obese. They also have evidence of thickening of their blood vessels even during childhood which is a predictor of future heart attacks and strokes.
Also, children with parents who are themselves overweight or obese are more likely to be overweight. So it is important for us to set an example and stay fit.
What can be done to prevent or control childhood obesity?
A healthy lifestyle should be encouraged from a young age. Adopting healthy cooking practices at home e.g. steaming or grilling vegetable and meat rather than frying is beneficial to all. Daily exercise for 30-60 minutes should be part of a child's routine. Encourage participation in team and individual sport. This will improve not only the child's fitness but also his social skills and make him a better team player/leader. Snacking between meals should be avoided and healthy snacks encouraged e.g. carrot sticks, fruit slices etc.
Does weight loss in an obese child improve his or her future risk of heart attacks and stroke?
Studies have shown that intervention in the form of diet control and exercise in obese and overweight children has improved their cholesterol profile and blood pressure. This in turn reduces the risk of future heart attacks and strokes. I cannot over emphasize the importance of healthy living especially during childhood as these lifestyle habits will last lifelong.
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