Weight gain in children: Expert explains role of diet, influence of parents on children

In recent years, the alarming issue of weight gain in children has attracted considerable attention, raising concerns among health professionals, parents and policy makers. A new study released by the World Health Organization (WHO) highlights the rising prevalence of childhood obesity, painting a grim picture of an ongoing epidemic. The report shows that the number of overweight or obese children under the age of five has increased phenomenally, reaching over 40 million globally.

With harmful effects for both physical and mental health, experts warn that urgent action is needed to halt this worrying trend and protect the well-being of future generations.

Dr Sonia Mittal, Director of Pediatrics, Max Hospital, Shalimar Bagh, talks about the role of diet, the influence of parents and the importance of physical activity.

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obesity in children

Dr. Mittal points out, as health parameters such as immunization, mortality and life expectancy are improving in India, serious problems like obesity, especially among children, are on the rise. India is registering alarming levels of childhood obesity with 18 million obese children, making India the world’s number two country in terms of childhood obesity.

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According to the latest NFHS-5, obesity among children under five has increased from 2.1 per cent in the last 5 years (2015-2016) to 3.4 per cent in 2021. According to UNICEF, India is expected to have more than 27 million obese children by 2030.

Being a lifestyle disease, obesity is more prevalent in urban areas and at higher socio-economic levels. The most important cause of childhood obesity is nutritional illiteracy because children are not fed a balanced nutritious diet (enough protein, vitamins, vegetables and fruits), instead, they are fed calorie-dense foods (containing high carbohydrates, fats, sugar and Are being given. Salt).

Due to easy access to fast food through ever-emerging food apps, children have started using fast/packaged food in place of healthy home-cooked food, leading to late night snacking. Another important reason for the increase in obesity is the low level of physical activity among children.

Children prefer to sit in air-conditioned indoors glued to their latest technology gadgets and this problem is on the rise due to lack of playgrounds, cycle tracks and space for outdoor activities for children in urban cities.

Lifestyle diseases due to childhood obesity

Childhood obesity can lead to lifestyle diseases such as diabetes, high blood pressure, heart attack, stroke, obstructive sleep apnea, joint degeneration, cancer and mental problems at an early age, says Dr Mittal. Therefore, there is an urgent need for parents to understand the long-term effects and complications associated with obesity in children. They should enforce discipline and inculcate good eating and lifestyle habits right from childhood.

“Parents should stop rewarding children with junk food or high-tech gadgets at a very young age,” said Dr. Mittal.

Dr. Mittal further added, “We are facing a huge epidemic of childhood obesity. Unless we intervene and take immediate action, this huge epidemic will engulf us, leading to more complex and serious lifestyle diseases in adulthood. So let’s take the responsibility and act now to keep this growing issue away from our children and society and give a healthy future to our children.