Parents’ crucial role in fighting child obesity 

children are being fed on highly processed foods and drinks, most of which have no labels. There is an array of instant foods and snacks and beverages being advertised and which our children are consuming. PHOTO | FILE

What you need to know:

  • The type of food we eat nowadays is one of the main contributing factors to childhood obesity. There is less emphasis on consumption of traditional foods, consumption of vegetables and fruits
  • The fight requires a multi-sectorial, multi-stakeholder approach from the media, industries, manufacturers and  even advertisers.

The rate of childhood obesity is rising at an alarming pace. And the extra kilos are putting children at risk of serious health problems, including diabetes type 2, heart related conditions, stroke, cancers and high blood pressure.

Child obesity occurs when a child is well above the normal weight for his or her age.

The type of food we eat nowadays is one of the main contributing factors to childhood obesity. There is less emphasis on consumption of traditional foods, consumption of vegetables and fruits

Instead, children are being fed on highly processed foods and drinks, most of which have no labels. There is an array of instant foods and snacks and beverages being advertised and which our children are consuming.

EVERYONE'S ROLE

Obesity in children is also caused by lack of physical activity and poor family eating habits.

Unfortunately, Kenya does not have legislation on the marketing and advertising of childrens’ foods. There are some countries with very strong legislation on marketing of children’s foods or beverages and of course very strong policies on the same.

We all have a part to play in the fight against childhood obesity.

The fight requires a multi-sectorial, multi-stakeholder approach from the media, industries, manufacturers and  even advertisers.

Parents too have an even greater role of battling child obesity by emphasising on four main areas;

• Encourage our children to eat healthy foods which include lots of  vegetables and fruits.

• Avoid sugary drinks juices or beverages for children.

• Parents should help children become more physically active by increasing number of outdoor activities.

• Reduce the amount of hours children are on the screen, that is computers, play stations, TV, video games. Infact, children are not supposed to have more than two hours of screen time per day as it not only increases inactivity but also dulls the brain and ruins their eyesight.

As adults, we set an example for our children by eating healthy and exercising.