Child Obesity
How Serious Is Child Obesity?
One in ten six olds in the UK is obese. This has doubled in the last twenty years. Obesity is responsible for 30,000 deaths per year. Encouraging good habits, healthy balanced eating, exercise and positive body image will reap rewards In the future.
How Is Obesity Measured?
A person is obese if their Body Mass Index (BMI exceeds 30.) If it’s between 25 and 30 they are overweight. If you would like to calculate your child’s BMI take a calculator and:
- measure them (in metres) and multiply this figure by itself
- weigh them in kilograms
- divide the first figure by the second
Another good general guide is a measure of the proportion of body fat. A child’s s classed as obese when their body weight exceeds 25% fat in boys and 32% in girls.
Children who are overweight tend to grow up into adults who are overweight. When we are children if fat is stored quickly the body will create more fat cells. An obese child can have up to three times more fat cells than a healthy child.
Few health conditions are identified in obese children but many conditions can develop in adulthood. They therefore have a higher risk of developing serious health problems including high blood pressure, heart attack and stroke, type II diabetes, arthritis, bowel cancer and reduced life expectancy. Health risks increase as you become more overweight.
Obese children can be more prone to psychological upset. Negative body image, depression, social problems and low self esteem my trigger comfort and eating and the cycle continues.
Why Are Today’s Children Becoming More Obese?
Few children are obese because of a medical problem The reason that most children put on significant weight is most commonly lifestyle.
- fatty and sugary foods are easily accessible
- food portions are large
- food portions contain more calories than every before
- insufficient exercise
How Can My Child Maintain A Healthy Weight?
Children grow at different rates. Some overweight children will grow out of and as they grow taller their weight be be absorbed by the extra height. Children under eight should not be put on a weight loss diet and children between eight and ten should have a medical evaluation before making any dietary changes.
Maintaining a healthy weight relies on three important principles:-
- enjoy a healthy and balanced diet
- aim to enjoy one hours exercise each day
- make change to eating habits , snacking, eating late in the evening and so on
What Is A Healthy Diet?
- Carbohydrates - these foods are filling, nutritious and generally inexpensive. They include pasta, rice, potatoes, and bread
- Proteins – these foods provide us with energy. They include meat, poultry, fish and cheese
- fresh fruit and vegetables – frozen fruit and vegetables are also ok. These are a valuable source of vitamins and minerals.
- water, milk and fruit juices are preferable to fizzy drinks which are high in sugar
- reduce but don’t cut out high fat and sugary foods including biscuits, cakes, chocolates and crisps
- try to buy healthy so the home becomes a healthy zone without temptations
- set a good example! – it is much easier to set good habits for children to follow than to change their behaviour once they are adults
- set a regular routine – try to eat a regular intervals and times to prevent snacking through the day
- try to eat together and at the table
- try to encourage you children to chew food slowly and enjoy their meal
How Can I Introduce Physical Activity Into My Child’s Life?
- aim for an hours gentle to moderate exercise every day.
- try to leave the car at home for local journeys and walk to the library, school or the park
- investigate local sports centres and after school clubs to see what activities are arranged in your area
- teach your child to ride a bike
- make family outings energetic – visit the ice rink, the park, walk around a lakereduce the amount of sedentary activity – try to limit the amount of time spent watching television and playing computer games in favour of active pursuits
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