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Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century. According to studies, childhood obesity has more than doubled in children and tripled in adolescents in the past 30 years.
South Africa is no exception. Not only are we one of the countries with the highest rate of obesity in the world (over 29% of men and 56% of women are classified as overweight or obese) we also have some of the fattest kids in the world.
Earlier this year the results of the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) revealed that South Africa's preschool children are among the fattest in the world.
The 2012 survey has found that 22.9% of SA children between two and five years were overweight. That is double the figure of preschool obesity in other African countries such as Morocco, Swaziland, Botswana, and Nigeria (11%) – and the US (12%).
The reasons for this shocking increase are complex, but our sedentary lifestyle (think TV, computers and cellphones), lack of physical activity (and PT classes in public schools), and poor diets of junk food and sugary sodas are definitely some of the big culprits.
Sadly, childhood obesity does not only result in low self-esteem and bullying at school, but also serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer.
As adults we have a duty to teach our kids healthy habits. Part of the parenting role is to set an example by eating healthily, exercising regularly, and having fun while doing so. Actions are so much powerful than words.
Read these amazing stories of two overweight kids (a 17-year-old teenage boy and a 10-year-old girl) who managed to shake off their extra weight with the help of caring adults. If they can do it, so can you.
South Africa is no exception. Not only are we one of the countries with the highest rate of obesity in the world (over 29% of men and 56% of women are classified as overweight or obese) we also have some of the fattest kids in the world.
Earlier this year the results of the first South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1) revealed that South Africa's preschool children are among the fattest in the world.
The 2012 survey has found that 22.9% of SA children between two and five years were overweight. That is double the figure of preschool obesity in other African countries such as Morocco, Swaziland, Botswana, and Nigeria (11%) – and the US (12%).
The reasons for this shocking increase are complex, but our sedentary lifestyle (think TV, computers and cellphones), lack of physical activity (and PT classes in public schools), and poor diets of junk food and sugary sodas are definitely some of the big culprits.
Sadly, childhood obesity does not only result in low self-esteem and bullying at school, but also serious health problems such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and cholesterol, heart disease, stroke and certain types of cancer.
As adults we have a duty to teach our kids healthy habits. Part of the parenting role is to set an example by eating healthily, exercising regularly, and having fun while doing so. Actions are so much powerful than words.
Read these amazing stories of two overweight kids (a 17-year-old teenage boy and a 10-year-old girl) who managed to shake off their extra weight with the help of caring adults. If they can do it, so can you.
