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CURRENT ISSUE:
JUNE
2013
NEW
LOOK!
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Dr. Marla
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Childhood obesity
epidemic
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 besity is now referred to as ‘globesity’ by the WHO (World Health Organization) – having been recognised as a complex, serious condition affecting virtually all age and socioeconomic groups.
Children not exempt
As many as 35% of Canadian children are overweight or obese, equaling 750,000 children in Ontario alone. Childhood obesity is a risk factor for insulin resistance, hypertension, diabetes, sleep apnea, eating disorders, depression, high cholesterol and triglyceride, fatty liver, asthma, polycystic ovary syndrome and certain cancers later in life. Shockingly, up to 50% of newly diagnosed diabetics are children.
Genetic disposition accounts for only 25-30% of the obesity we see. In 2004, the Ontario Chief Medical Officer of Health, Dr. Sheela Basrur, pointed out that environmental factors in our communities, workplaces, schools and homes, are the principal determinants that encourage obesity.
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Models of learning
Many parents model sedentary behaviour and excessive eating, not teaching children about hunger and fullness. Meal sizes are out of control and children have learned more is better. Societal values reflect work at the expense of physical activity. We drive children to school when it’s a 10 minute walk. We don’t encourage children to play outside, and allow them to sit in front of a computer screen or television for hours. In many schools, physical education isn’t valued and extracurricular activities have been quickly dropped from schools.
It takes a village, parents, teachers and society, to affect positive change. A focus on nutrition, not on weight, and physical activity a child enjoys, is essential to a healthy body. It’s up to us to model healthy eating, portion control and active lifestyles. H&L
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