Did you know that over 17 percent of children are classed as obese?

According to the World Health Organisation, over 17 per cent of children in the UAE are classed as obese. Obesity has several effects on a child’s health and is a leading cause of death around the world.

Obese children have an increased risk as adults for strokes, coronary artery disease, hypertension and diabetes, which will lead to a decreased quality of life and a shortened lifespan.

Dr Lee Hudson, consultant general paediatrician at Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children in London emphasises the severity of the problem explaining that it is an emerging epidemic in the region.

‘Issues with weight tend to build over time and they can go unnoticed by the family until the problems are established. Losing weight is hard, and the treatment for being overweight is usually the same as the way to prevent it,’ says Dr Hudson, who is urging families in the UAE to take action against childhood obesity.

Tips for parents:

Get active!

Kids need about 60 minutes of activity a day and they need help achieving this both in school and at home.

Join in as a family

Exercise is more fun as a family! It should be encouraged and integrated in everyday family life.

Reduce screen time

Reducing the amount of time kids spend in front of a screen, such as a computer, television or video game consoles is also beneficial.

Be a good role model

All the family need to be on board with a healthy ‘get fit, get active’ attitude so the child doesn’t feel odd or singled out.

Eat well

It’s important that the body is fuelled correctly to feel the benefits of doing exercise

Source: FridayMagazine
“Psychological effect of childhood obesity” by:Inga Stevens