Question

• Report some basic statistics (e.g., percentages) on the risks for obesity in middle childhood?
• What are some long-term consequences of obesity in children (e.g., bullying, self-esteem, health)?
• Do certain groups of children have a higher risk of developing obesity (e.g., consider racial/ethnic backgrounds, socio-economic status)?
• What nutritional foods would you recommend for children to consume to combat childhood obesity?
• What exercise and/or sports activities would you recommend for children to partake in to minimize their chances of developing obesity?

Answer 1

Childhood obesity is a major health concern. Children whose BMI is equal to or greater than 95% of their peers are considered obese. Children falling under this category are at high risk of getting chronic diseases. According to the U.S Department of Health & Human Services, 32% and 52% of adolescent boys and girls drink more than 24 ounces of soda every single day. Also, according to the WHO, more than 340 million children & adolescents between the ages of 5-19 were diagnosed as obese in 2016.

Obesity can affect childhood in many ways. Children with obesity are more likely to have high blood pressure & high cholesterol (indicators of cardiovascular disease). They are at high risk of getting type 2 diabetes. They may also suffer from breathing problems such as asthma or sleep apnea. Obesity is also related to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression. Children with obesity have reported low self- esteem and low quality of life. They are more likely to be bullied by their peers which can damage their mental health further.

It is difficult to tackle the problem of obesity if one does not have a supportive environment. Unable to make healthy food choices and enough physical activity can exaggerate the problem of obesity even further. For example, people coming from lower social-economic status can't afford to eat healthy every time. Peer and social support also play an important role in determining what the child is eating. If the parents aren't involved in eating healthy themselves, it is obvious that even their children will follow the same.

Therefore, to prevent childhood obesity certain steps need to be followed:

1) Increased physical activity such as different sports (football, cricket, basketball, etc.), dance, workout, yoga, or any form of exercise to keep the weight in check.

2) Find activities where the family can enjoy together. This will allow the child to stay active and motivated. For example, playing games together every Sunday evening.

3) Eating healthy instead of junks or processed items, such as fresh fruits and vegetables.

Tackling obesity needs a lifestyle change combined with some workout and physical activities. Therefore, it is important that children are taught the importance of staying healthy from a younger age.