Childhood obesity... a growing concern

More than 17% of children in South Africa are overweight. Obesity in children is not something that a parent expects to deal with, but due the change of lifestyles, it is often a reality for many. Although a high-energy intake is essential for your child as it adds to their growth and development, it is still important to maintain a healthy balance.

How do you know if your child is obese?
According to the World Health Organisation, being overweight and obese is defined as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health”. Children are usually classified as being overweight if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 95% of the children of the same gender and age.

What are the main contributing factors of Childhood Obesity?

One of the main factors would firstly be excessive dietary energy intake and low levels of physical activity. However, other factors have been associated with obesity.

Divided into sections, the four main factors would be:

• Unhealthy eating habits
Being overfed or eating unhealthily is the main contributing factor in childhood obesity. Parents of particularly young children play a vital role in what they are given at mealtime. School-going children should preferably be given a healthy lunch, rather than given the option of buying unhealthy items from the tuck-shop.

Many tuck-shops at schools sell high-density energy foods. Items such as chocolates, cold drinks, and hot chips - and all of them are unsuitable for a child's daily nutritional requirements.

• Genetic makeup
Research has found that genetic make-up determines 50% of a person's probability to accumulate body fat. Therefore, if parents are overweight, the likelihood that the children will be overweight is high, which is particularly linked to an inherent weight trend.

• Environment and Lifestyle
Many children are also discouraged to play in public parks, as the reality of being mugged or even abducted can be a concern. In the past, children used to cycle or walk to school. Nowadays, however, parents prefer to drive their children to their destination, to ensure their safety. The lifestyle many families lead presently is very fast, therefore, time is of an essence. Instead of cooking, parents often buy unhealthy fast foods, which aid towards an unhealthy diet.
• Physical inactivity
There has been a decrease in the physical activity of children in the past decade. With technological advances, a child no longer needs to go outside to cycle, why not just do it with a computer game in the comfort of your own home. Physical activity has even been taken out of the school curriculum; this in itself discourages physical activity.

What are the health risks?

Often childhood obesity is followed into adulthood. Adult obesity is interrelated with various health problems such as:
• Heart disease
• Diabetes
• Shortness of breath
• High blood pressure
• High cholesterol
• Joint problems
• Psychological problems (feeling insecure)

After all this negative talk what preventive mechanisms can one use to prevent your child from developing obesity?

It is important to teach your child to develop healthy eating habits from a young age. To encourage your child to participate in the school sports as well as any physical activity at home. Through regular exercise, their metabolism speeds up. This effort of increased energy usage combined with increased metabolic rate can help reduce your child's body fat percentage, thus also decreasing the risk of heart disease.

“Parents should start encouraging more family play time and incorporate this as a weekly family tradition. Children should spend less time watching DVD's and playing video games and rather utilise their time participating in school sports and socialising with other children,” says Zulfa Abrahams, a dietician at the Heart and Stroke Foundation SA.

The Heart and Stroke Foundation SA (HSFSA) has a tuck-shop program that educates pupils and school staff on healthier alternatives for the tuck shop.

The HSFSA also has Children's Program and Sow-a-Seed program that are aimed at encouraging healthy eating habits and preparing nutritious meals.

Here are some alternative heart healthy meals:

• Whole-wheat bread with healthy filling such as: low-fat cheese spread, lettuce and tomato, cheese and tomato, tuna and salad, grilled skinless chicken and lettuce, cottage cheese and honey, avocado and cottage cheese
• Cereals: breakfast cereals, muesli, all bran or oats with low-fat milk or unflavoured yogurt
• Avoid flavoured water, sweetened yoghurts and yoghurt drinks, instead substitute with low-fat unflavoured yogurts and add muesli
• Lunchbox snacks: instead of adding chips or chocolates replace these with fresh fruit, homemade popcorn and Low-fat homemade health muffins

Remember: Consult your family medical doctor for a proper medical evaluation of your child before beginning a physical exercise program.

For more information on how to follow a healthy lifestyle contact the Heart and Stroke Foundation's Heart Mark Diet Line on 0860 223 222 for advice from a registered dietician, or visit http://www.heartfoundation.co.za.