Childhood Obesity is a Growing Concern

 

According to a study in Childhood Obesity in Malaysia, one in every four children is either overweight or obese, which is quite concerning. Most parents seem to be unaware of the health consequences childhood obese can bring. In addition to height, the number on the weighing scale is something parents should also not overlook while monitoring their children’s growth and development.

 

 

‘Letting your child eat whatever they want’ is the problem

 

 

A balanced diet plays a vital role in the growth and development of children. However, children tend to be picky eaters, in which they would mostly prefer sweets, snacks and fast food rather than eating fruits and vegetables, which are important sources of nutrients. Such foods with ‘empty calorie’, which contain higher calorie with relatively low amount of nutrients greatly contribute to weight gain and malnutrition in children, which can affect their growth and development. Besides, parents can also play huge factor in childhood obese, as children tend to follow their parents’ eating habits.

 

 

Children nowadays are more inactive

 

 

In this modern era, urban people tends to eat more and move less. Today, children tend to watch tv and use electronic devices such as phones and computers more often, rather than playing outdoors and engage in physical activities. In addition to an imbalance diet, such physical inactivity can easily lead to weight gain in children.

 

 

The complications of childhood obesity

 

 

Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for many chronic diseases. 80% of overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults. Children who are obese are at increased risk for diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, hypertension and cancer compared to children with normal weight. Not to mention that an obese children has a greater risk of infection, allergies and asthma, as obese can cause an imbalance in the immune system.

 

 

Is your child obese?

 

 

Childhood overweight and obesity can be determined by measuring a child’s body mass index (BMI), using the formula BMI = weight (kg) / height (m²). According to World Health Organization (WHO), anyone with a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight; and if 30 or higher, he/she is considered obese. However, children tend to have different body sizes and development rate at different ages. Childhood overweight or obesity can be determined based on the child’s age as shown in the table below.

 

Age	Overweight ﹙BMI≧﹚		Obese ﹙BMI≧﹚
	Male	Female	Male	Female
2	17.7	17.3	19	18.3
3	17.7	17.2	19.1	18.5
4	17.7	17.1	19.3	18.6
5	17.7	17.1	19.4	18.9
6	17.9	17.2	19.7	19.1
7	18.6	18	21.2	20.3
8	19.3	18.8	22	21
9	19.7	19.3	22.5	21.6
10	20.3	20.1	22.9	22.3
11	21	20.9	23.5	23.1
12	21.5	21.6	24.2	23.9

Source：Ministry of Health and Welfare (Taiwan)

 

 

3 key ways to help your child lose weight safely

 

 

1. Eat a balanced diet

 

Change your child’s diet by increasing their intake of high fiber and nutrient-dense food, such as fruits, vegetables, grains and beans. Choose lean meat such as chicken, fish and dairy such as milk for protein, which is crucial for children’s growth and development.

 

 

2. Reduce intake of high-calorie food

 

Choose nutrient dense and low-calorie snacks such as fruits, whole wheat bread, low fat and salt biscuits instead of high fat and calorie food such as sweets, desserts, processed and fried food.

 

 

3. Increase physical activity

 

Engage in physical activity with your children. Indoor activities such as doing house chores, skipping ropes, stairs-climbing, simple cardio exercises or outdoor activities such as a walk at the park, playground activities and cycling are great ways to increase physical activity in children, as well as strengthening parent-child relationship.