Are kids getting too fat?

The prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity is increasing and health officials are worried that many parents think obese children are healthy children. According to the World Health Organisation, the childhood ‘obesity epidemic’ is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.

More deaths are now attributed to being overweight than underweight.

Large parts of the country are still plagued with malnutrition but changing social and lifestyle factors have created overweight and obesity to become much more prevalent — especially in urban centres.

Overweight and obesity are directly linked to poor eating habits and physical inactivity levels.

The widespread problem of high-fat street foods, trans-fat deep-fried snacks, and soda drinks is so great that it can be found on almost every street corner.

“It’s closely related to urbanisation and industrialisation.

“In the cities, there is an increasing lack of activity and cheap foods are more accessible and affordable,” says Dr Timothy Armstrong from WHO’s Department of Chronic Diseases and Health Promotion.

The long-term problem is overweight children are more likely to become obese adults. Being overweight increases one’s risk of developing very serious health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and certain types of cancer at a younger age.

Additionally, researchers from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, who analysed data from 27 countries in Africa, say the sharp rise in maternal obesity is threatening the lives of newborns.

Babies born to obese mothers have a 50 percent higher risk of dying in the first month.

Poor eating and physical inactivity habits are not genetic but often passed on from the parents.

As a form of babysitting, many kids like to watch TV, play video games and play on their computer but this causes them to be physically inactive.

“Children’s physical activity levels have diminished significantly in recent years.

Children once walked to school and played a lot, but now they are picked up and dropped off in front of the TV with takeaways for dinner,” says Try Chadyiwa, director-general of the Heart Foundation of Zimbabwe.

“Kids used to keep fit and alert by riding bikes and playing pada, chisveru, rakaraka, chihwandehwande and playing with majenjere and old car tyres for physical strength and fitness,” Chadyiwa adds.

Interventions such as limiting the amount of TV, eliminating highly processed foods, and limiting sugar-sweetened soda drinks can help lower a child’s weight and eliminate the risk of developing life-threatening health conditions in the future.

Up to 80 percent of heart disease and type 2 diabetes could be prevented and 40 per cent of cancer with improved dietary choices and adequate physical activity levels.

It has been estimated that physical inactivity levels could be reduced by 31 percent through improved environmental interventions, including pedestrian- and bicycle-friendly urban land use and transport, leisure and workplace facilities, and policies that support more active lifestyles.

Physical activity and exercise is needed for all — regardless of weight, health condition or age — to achieve optimal health and fight off diseases.

Strive to get at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days of the week — the more the better.

• The writer is a doctor and an international health columnist that works in collaboration with the World Health Organisation’s goals of disease prevention and control. Views do not necessarily reflect endorsement.