Schools believe it is never too late to educate kids about a healthy diet. Childhood obesity has become a growing problem in India.
Defining obesity
People who are above the normal weight of their height and age are known as obese. Being obese as a child can lead to further problems as an adult. The number of overweight children in India has increased in recent years, with a quarter of children considered overweight or obese.
Causes of obesity
Lifestyle, family history and psychological factors all play a vital role in childhood obesity. Another important cause of obesity is eating pattern; eating too much and exercising too less. Fast foods and soft drinks are the root cause. Nowadays, schools provide meal facility where children eat one or more meals, plus snacks, every day.
There are very rare cases that being overweight is due to a medical condition such as a hormonal problem. Also, with the increase in technology, the average child spends approximately four hours each day on smartphones, console games or television. Therefore, the number of hours of inactivity is increasing.
People of all age tend to gain weight if there is not enough physical exercise or if they are less active. Therefore, children must get lessons to be active and burn extra calories through sports and other physical activities. There are a lot of schools that encourage sports so that children are hale and hearty.
Consequences
Long-term health problems are more likely to take place in children. If children have obesity, their obesity and disease risk factors in adulthood are likely to be more severe. Immediate health effects of obesity can be harmful in various ways. Children can have breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnea, fatty liver disease, gallstones and gastro-esophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn). Childhood obesity is also related to psychological problems like anxiety and depression or social problems like bullying and stigma. Children lose their confidence and self-esteem.
Solution
Most kids eat what their parents buy, so healthy eating needs to start with you. If your children see that you are physically active, they are more likely to be active and stay active for the rest of their lives. Reducing the amount of time you and your family spend in sedentary activities, such as watching TV or playing video games can also be helpful. Another solution can be planning family activities that provide everyone with exercise, like walking, biking or swimming.
Keep your meal around fresh foods instead of frozen and processed items. Start giving
fresh fruits and vegetableslean proteins, such as chicken and fishwhole grains, such as brown rice, whole-wheat pasta, and whole-grain breadlow-fat dairy products, including skim milk, low-fat plain yogurt, and low-fat cheese.
With proper education and support, children can lead a healthy lifestyle to cope with their problems, prepare meals and stay active. This support must come from parents, teachers and other caregivers. Even schools help students understand the benefits of healthy lifestyles and the relationship between calorie intake and energy expenditure to achieve energy balance at a healthy weight.