About 35% of young boys and 20% of young girls in Qatar are thought to be obese, according to the International Obesity Task Force.
Parents and schools can play a key role in curbing childhood obesity, which has become one of the most serious health concerns across the world, said Hamad Medical Corporation’s (HMC) Chairman of Internal Medicine, Prof. Abdul Badi Abou Samra.
According to 2010 statistics released by the World Health Organisation (WHO), nearly 43mn children (under the age of five) are estimated to be overweight or obese. If preventive measures prove to be unsuccessful, this figure is estimated to rise to nearly 60 million by 2020.
“The fundamental cause of childhood obesity is associated with lifestyle; children have become accustomed to very little physical activity and are consuming too many calories from highly-processed foods and beverages,” said Prof Abou-Samra. “The best approach to preventing childhood obesity is to allow more opportunities for children to participate in activities that require physical movement.”
Prof Abou Samra said children have a limited understanding of how calorie intake affects their health, noting that parents should take charge by becoming strong role models for their children’s health.
“Parents are the ones who decide what to cook and where to buy their food. If they opt for healthier meals that include legumes, whole grains, vegetables and fruits, their children will follow the same eating pattern. Consumption of fizzy drinks and artificial juices should be limited for children as these drinks contain high levels of sugar and enable fat buildup”, he added.
Obesity is classified through the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is a measurement of body fat based on height and weight and can be used to indicate if an individual is overweight, obese, underweight or normal weight. In general, a BMI of 18 to 24.9 is considered healthy, while a score of over 40 is considered morbidly obese; those that fall into this category have an increased risk of premature death and disability.
Prof Abou Samra explained that in children aged 2-18, BMI changes during growth are common and normal. Therefore, an age-specific BMI is used for diagnosis and classification of obesity in children.
Other tips for curbing childhood obesity include limiting the number of times the family eats out, especially at fast food restaurants where food items are often high in fat and calories as well as avoiding ‘convenience foods’ such as pre-packaged meals, cookies, noodles and chips.
Respecting a child’s feeling of satiety and not forcing them to eat when they are not hungry, is also important.
Parents also must limit the number of hours children spend watching television, playing video games and using electronic devices as these promote a sedentary lifestyle. They must instead encourage them to be more active by participating in physical activities.