Preventing Childhood Obesity

PowerPoint PresentationOverview
According to the World Health Organization, the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased
substantially over the past three decades. An estimated 170 million children (aged less than 18 years)
across the world are considered overweight. According to a 2016 study published in the Indian Journal of
Medical Research, the prevalence of overweight and obesity in children increased to 17.4 percent in
2006-2010 which finally reached to 19.3 percent in studies reported after 2010. The increased prevalence
of overweight and obesity can further add to serious health consequences such as heart disease, type 2
diabetes, and even cancer. This is the reason why obesity is regarded as one of the most serious health
challenges of the 21st century.
Childhood obesity can be harmful to children in several ways, such as:
• High blood pressure and high cholesterol
• Increased risk of glucose impairment, insulin resistance and type 2 diabetes
• Breathing problems like sleep apnea and asthma
• Greater risk of social and psychological problems, such as poor self-esteem
• Higher chance of obesity as an adult
Make a Favorite Dish Healthier
Instead of spaghetti and meatballs with regular
noodles, try whole-wheat pasta or even get creative
and use zucchini noodles or spaghetti squash.
Drink Water
Drinking water can also make you feel full and less
tempted to eat that sugary, fatty snack.
Stock your home with healthy foods
One of the most effective ways to inculcate the habit
of healthy eating in kids is to create a healthy
environment at home. This means stock your home
with loads of fruits, vegetables, and homemade snacks
to prevent your child from indulging in processed, junk
food. If you have a habit of coming back home with a
box of chocolates or a pack of chips for your child,
stop it because it will only cause your kid to favor
unhealthy food. The rule also applies for sugary
beverages and carbonated drinks which are a favorite
among kids and find an easy place in refrigerators. So
the next time you go for grocery shopping avoid
buying packaged foods, chocolates, chips, and soft
drinks as it can act as a simple yet effective tool for
prevention of obesity.
Limit screen time
To say technology hasn’t played a part in this
epidemic would be turning a blind eye to what is
going on around us. Smartphones, tablets, game
systems, and computers have taken hold of our
children and we need to take them back. Monitoring
technology usage throughout the day and limiting
them to equal amounts of physical activity and tech
time could be very beneficial to their overall health.
It has become too easy when children are
misbehaving or bored to place technology in their
hand; as adults, we need to set the tone and
encourage children to get outside and move.
Be active
sports teams, swim classes, mini marathons,
nature hikes, indoor play lands, and even certain
video games that involve moving around.
Some gyms offer children’s areas that promote
working out and are separate from the rest of the
gym so they are able to go at their own pace
while the adults are working out.
Breastfeed infants, when possible
childhood obesity. However, studies are mixed
when it comes to the role of breastfeeding in
obesity prevention, and more research is needed.
Feed growing children appropriate portion sizes
The American Academy of Pediatrics explains that
toddlers don’t require huge amounts of food.
From ages 1 to 3, every inch of height should
equate to roughly 40 calories of food intake.
Encourage older children to learn what various
portion sizes look like.
Encourage your child to try a variety of different
fruits, vegetables, and proteins from an early age.
As they grow older, they may be more likely to
incorporate these healthy foods into their own
diet.
when hungry
Overeating can happen if you eat when you’re not
hungry. This excess fuel eventually becomes stored
as body fat and can lead to obesity. Encourage your
child to eat only when they feel hungry and to
chew more slowly for better digestion.
Limit unhealthy foods in the household
If you bring unhealthy foods into the household,
your child may be more likely to eat them. Try to
stock the fridge and pantry with healthy foods, and
allow less-healthy snacks as a rare “treat” instead.
Make sure everyone is getting
enough sleep
who don’t get enough sleep may end up weighing
more. Healthy sleep habits from the National
Sleep Foundation include a sleep schedule, a
bedtime ritual, and a comfortable pillow and
mattress.
outside of the home
babysat, children have plenty of opportunities to
eat unhealthy foods outside of the home. You can’t
always be there to monitor what they eat, but
asking questions can help.
Children are often seen consuming junk foods
such as chips, chocolates, fries, aerated drinks, and
more. These are all stuffed with trans-fat,
oxygenated oils and more. Children in habit of
consuming junk food often suffer from gastric
problems at an early age.
Incorporate healthy snacking options
options such as fresh fruit salads, nuts, Greek
yogurt and more. This will help improve the gut
health of your kids as well as boost metabolism.
Encourage your child
The diet should include a variety of food. The child
taught to eat everything on his plate is much more
likely to attain optimal health than those who are
picky eaters. The child should have access to items
from all food groups on a regular basis.
Do not let kids overeat
Teach your kids a normal serving size. Mothers
often try to overfeed kids. But this could be an
unhealthy practice as it might lead to excessive
weight gain.
Promote a Healthy Lifestyle
Children can be encouraged to adopt healthy eating behaviors and be physically active when parents:
• Focus on good health, not a certain weight goal. Teach and model healthy and positive attitudes toward
food and physical activity without emphasizing body weight.
• Focus on the family. Do not set overweight children apart. Involve the whole family and work to
gradually change the family's physical activity and eating habits.
• Establish daily meal and snack times, and eating together as frequently as possible. Make a wide variety
of healthful foods available based on the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children. Determine what
food is offered and when, and let the child decide whether and how much to eat.
• Plan sensible portions. Use the Food Guide Pyramid for Young Children as a guide.
What Counts as One Serving?
Grain Group
• 1/2 cup of cooked cereal
• 1 ounce of ready-to-eat cereal
Vegetable Group
• 1 cup of raw leafy vegetables
Fruit Group
• 3/4 cup of juice
Milk Group
• 2 ounces of cheese
• 2-3 ounces of cooked lean meat, poultry or fish
• 1/2 cup of cooked dry beans, or 1 egg counts as 1 ounce of lean meat. 2 tablespoons of peanut butter
count as 1 ounce of meat.
Fats and Sweets
• Limit calories from these.
• Discourage eating meals or snacks while watching TV. Eating in front of the TV may make it difficult to
pay attention to feelings of fullness and may lead to overeating.
• Buy fewer high-calorie, low-nutrient foods. Help children understand that sweets and high-fat treats
(such as candy, cookies, or cake) are not everyday foods. Don't deprive children of occasional treats,
however. This can make them more likely to overeat.
• Avoid labeling foods as "good" or "bad." All foods in moderation can be part of a healthy diet.
• Involve children in planning, shopping, and preparing meals. Use these activities to understand children's
food preferences, teach children about nutrition, and encourage them to try a wide variety of foods.
• Make the most of snacks. Continuous snacking may lead to overeating. Plan healthy snacks at specific
times. Include two food groups, for example, apple wedges and whole grain crackers. Focus on maximum
nutrition - fruits, vegetables, grains, low-sugar cereals, lowfat dairy products, and lean meats and meat
alternatives. Avoid excessive amounts of fruit juices, which contains calories, but fewer nutrients than
the fruits they come from. A reasonable amount of juice is 4-8 ounces per day.
Conclusion
Childhood obesity is a burden in developed and developing countries. Numerous social and
environmental factors also cause overweight and obesity that influence people’s food habit and physical
activity.
It also has psycho-social consequences and may contribute to a delay in academic and social functioning
as well as poor self-esteem and depression.
The interventions for preventing and controlling obesity are mainly aimed at limiting the intake of sugar
and high calorie snacks with higher consumption of vegetable- and fruit-based diet.
Last but not least, decreasing the duration of screen time, especially television and increasing the level of
physical activity are vital for preventing obesity in children.