Experts suggest steps to curb spread of obesity

Eating healthy food, losing extra weight and regular physical activity are some of the measures a panel of experts has suggested for curbing the spread of childhood and pregnancy obesity. Speaking at the inaugural session of the Sidra Medical and Research Centre’s symposia series, three leading experts in obesity - Weill Cornell Medical College, New York associate professor Dr Debra Taubel, Hamad Medical Corporation’s Paediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes acting consultant Dr Ahmed el-Awwa and Northwestern University Psychology and Human Development and Social Policy professor Dr Ellen Wartella, tackled the issue of childhood and pregnancy obesity from their perspectives and experiences.They shared their latest research, tools and knowledge of cutting-edge technology to combat the prevailing medical condition in the US and in the region, especially Qatar, which ranked sixth in obesity prevalence globally with the highest rate of obese boys regionally.“According to a study carried out in 2006, some 35% of adolescent boys and over 23% of adolescent girls in Qatar are obese while it was also found that around 33% skip their breakfast and more than 60% eat fast food more than twice a week,” Dr el-Awwa, who discussed the magnitude of the childhood obesity globally and specifically in Qatar, mentioned.Other contributing factors to childhood obesity he highlighted include high calories diets, fast foods, baked food, inactivity and sedentary lifestyle involving prolonged screening activities such as watching television, Internet as well as computer gaming.Dr el-Awwa, who maintained that prevention is the cornerstone of obesity control, also mentioned that socioeconomic status could also predispose a child to obesity.“Poverty and obesity go hand-in-hand as children from low income background are at greater risks of having the condition because they do not eat healthy and balanced food most of the time,” he explained.Some of the consequences of obesity on a child he mentioned include glucose intolerance, insulin resistance as well as psychological problems such as low self-esteem, negative societal image and social stigma.However, behavioural changes, weight gain prevention, good parental support as well as healthy eating habits were some of his suggestions for childhood obesity prevention.Speaking on ‘Food Marketing and Childhood Obesity’, Dr Wartella maintained that television adverts have effects on food consumption among children aged two-eleven years, while buttressing her point by citing instances from the findings of the US-based Institute of Medicine 2006 study report.“During that study, we found that TV food marketing does have a great influence on childhood obesity, which was why a 2012 IOM (Institute of Medicine) recommendations on food marketing states that there should be reduction in over-consumption of sugar sweetened beverages; increase the availability of lower calories and healthier foods and beverages options for children in restaurants; implement common nutritional standards for marketing foods and beverages for children and adolescents; and ensure consistent labelling for the front packages and retail store shelves,” she said.She maintained that by 2016, food most heavily marketed to children should meet two basic principles including providing meaningful and healthful diets.Dr Wartella later proposed a need for a round-table with representatives from Qatar and the US on developing a research agenda on obesity prevention for both countries.Dr Taubel, who spoke on ‘Obesity in Pregnancy’ discussed the effects of the medical condition on pregnancy and its implications for the foetus.She explained the stages of pregnancy and the negative effects obese women are exposed to throughout from the risk of foetal morbidity with increased chance of stillbirth and heart defects.Dr Taubel stressed the likelihood of an obese mother promoting an unhealthy lifestyle and resulting in an obese child, describing it as a vicious cycle.