Child Obesity: Scarier & Persisting Epidemic than any other

When I look around, I get a lot disturbed with the site of many small / young kids either overweight or almost on the edge of becoming obese. Which is really a lot unusual site as even 3 decades back, it  was very rare to come across overweight kids in our neighborhood / Schools / College etc.  And I hope you appreciate this fact and don’t consider as something being hyped / making up here.

Now just to substantiate this point further: Below are Some alarming facts about Child Obesity in India and in the World (referring to few surveys during 2016-2018):

• 14+ Million children in India are overweight/obese which is 15% of India’s Child population. It’s 2nd highest in the world behind China & followed by the US.
• This means India contributes to ~40% of Worldwide Child Obesity.
• The number is much higher (35 – 40% Children) in the Urban + Middle / Higher Middle Class strata of the society in India.
• Amongst age group 5-9: Almost 10% are Pre-Diabetic, and 1% Diabetic
• It not just leads to Diabetes but disorders like
  • Higher Triglycerides
  • Increased Blood pressure
  • Cardio Vascular issues
  • Liver related problems
  • PCOD and other disorders for Girls
  • Impaired Development of Body Parts / Structure
  • Depression & Other Psychological disorders
  • Deep negative impact on Healthcare, Culture, Society & Economy of the country  
• And more scarier aspect is this 14 Million number is about to increase by more than double – To ~27 million by 2030 (alone in India).
• And all the metabolic disorders that can get developed due to this will start rising exponentially in only another 5 years.

So how can this be controlled / reversed ? Well some of these remedies / changes all of us are well aware of but I’d like to add a few more which might not be considered / discussed that widely.

1. Nutrition Education : This is the First and fore most and the onus is on all of us, i.e.: Wide spectrum of our society:
   • Pregnant women: (Pre, Intra & Post-Natal phases) A lot more intense & correct education is required than what’s prevalent today. Only knowing or practicing Pilates / Yoga-Asanas for this phase is just not sufficient.
   • Kids aged 6 on-wards: Typically Grade 1 on-wards till Grade 10, it should be a compulsory subject at the Schools (like that of Socials, PT, Crafts etc.)
   • Parents: Schools should conduct Nutrition awareness workshops / sessions once in 6 months with the parents, on the lines of Parent – Teacher meetings.
   • Gifts / Return Gifts: Parents/ Kids should focus on gifting right things like Nuts, Berries, Fruits, Plants, Books on Nutrition, Gym membership, Sports Kits than Chocolates / Sweets / Video Games / Indoor Games etc.
2. Sugar: Avoid Sugar in All forms. That’s the #1 trigger for obesity
3. Healthy fats: Increase intake of Healthy fats and avoid all products which are loaded with trans fats and vegetable oils + bundled with Sugar.
4. Eating Right: Avoid
   • Packaged / processed Food, Bakery,
   • Juices, Aerated Drinks
   • Pizzas, Pasta (Maida based products)
   • Ice creams, Candies, Chocolates, which contain Sugar + Vegetable Oil. Instead promote home-made food which is not (glucose) energy-dense.
5. Screen Time: Limit to Maximum. Promote Outdoor Sports / activities. Remember kids will follow the parents. So Walk the Talk is essential
6. Holidays: Instead of splurging only on the Leisurely Holidays, take kids for running, trekking, swimming on weekends
7. Idolize: Idolize Athletes / Sports-persons and health conscious celebrities .
8. Campaigns: Government / Corporates and NGOs promoting Print / Digital / Radio / Television campaigns where Sports Persons / Celebrities create awareness about Nutrition and Fitness for Children / Adolescents.

Hope this gives a better perceptive + inputs to tackle a very serious disorder impacting the society & rapidly growing in India and across the globe.

We’ll continue discussing on similar topics in our subsequent articles.

Stay Tuned 

“A fit, healthy body—that is the best fashion statement” ― Jess C Scott