0 Childhood Obesity in Sri Lanka

There was a time when chubby children were considered cute. It was assumed that their baby fat would melt away and a healthy adult would be left over. We now know that childhood obesity can be very harmful for our nation’s children. Not only can obesity cause health problems but also psychological problems. In observing the causes of childhood obesity, hopefully we can slow down the epidemic.
Suffer from obesity is a situation almost similar to that of Western countries,eventhough that is a problem in urban area of Sri Lanka.Urban areas show high pervalance of child obesity in Sri Lanka when compare with other part of Sri Lanka.One of the main causes is lack of physical activity.
Children addict to fast food and soft drinks. They don’t like to have enough fruit and vegetables with their meal to have a balanced diet.
Part of finding a solution to the obesity epidemic that is plaguing our society is to determine the causes. The first place we often look is within the family itself. Do family history, genes; family economics play a role in a child’s obesity?
Let’s examine the parents. Before we go further let’s just say this is not to point fingers or play the blame game. It is only to find a solution for both parents and their children. No one wants to see their children suffer, and obesity can lead to distress both now and in the future. Now that we understand why we’re looking at the parents, here are some facts. Children are more likely to be obese if their parents are obese. The reason is simple. Kids are imitators. They do what they see their parents do. If parents are eating all the time or eating unhealthy foods, then children tend to follow suit.
Also, if parents use food as a coping mechanism, children will too. This can lead to emotional eating which has been the catalyst for much adult obesity. So, as a parent, what are you doing or not doing that could be influencing your children’s eating and activity habits? If parents are sedentary, their children will more likely to be inactive as well. If parents reward themselves often with sweet treats, their children may feel the same need. You may be predisposed to certain illnesses or conditions because of family genetics. If your parents or grandparents had certain types of cancers or diabetes or heart disease, your risk increases. The same can hold true if your parents have a disorder that results in weight gain. Body type is hereditary in many instances. If your mother is “pear shaped” and your father is “apple shaped” that means having over weight with irregular body shape the chances that you will battle those same issues are likely. With that knowledge on board, it doesn’t mean that your child will develop those conditions or become obese. Your child’s future is not always set in stone. By having balanced healthy diet with regular exercise, obese conditions can be overcome.
Obesity in children leads to many short and long term effects. Short term effects include physical problems such as pains in the joint, back and hip as well as exercise in-tolerance where the child will try to keep away from outdoor activities which are essential to mould his leadership qualities.
Obesity can also lead to lethargy, a factor which impairs the overall performance of a student in school. Among the more acute long term effects are increase in the chances of bad cholesterol levels, blood sugar and high blood pressure. Parents complain that children don`t like to eat nutritious food. It is not true you must introduce nutritious food at a tender age. Variety is the secret. The fast food should never compliment the meals of very young children.
Generally children are reluctant to try new food. It is the parents who first get them to ‘have a go` at junk food. Among the other contributors to child obesity are irregular meals and excessive fat and carbohydrate contents in the meal. Parents must also ensure a set a time, at least for the main meals and they should feed their child healthy balanced diet with three variety of vegetables and two types of fruit to have healthy child by reducing the chance of making obese child.
How much does childhood obesity depend on where you live and your income level? If you are in the lower income range or poverty level, it can have a lot to do with it. We know that eating healthy can get quite expensive if you’re not the most clever shopper and cook. Fattening foods are often easier to prepare, easier to reach in the grocery store, more prominently displayed, and more often marketed with sales and give always. You don’t normally see coupons for fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats, and dried beans, peas and lentils.
Community sports programs can help kids get physically active and ward off obesity. Children living in lower income homes are often unable to participate in sporting or community programs due to the cost involved. The money just isn’t there to fund these activities for low income families.
So, Parents be aware of balanced diet for your children’s Health.