“Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century,” reports the World Health Organisation (WHO).

“The problem is global and is steadily affecting many low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings…Globally, in 2010 the number of overweight children under the age of five, is estimated to be over 42 million. Close to 35 million of these are living in developing countries.”

Isn’t it unbelievable that the poorer countries should have more overweight and obese children than the developed countries? One might be quick to challenge these statistics but this would be inadvisable for if you did a round of schools in Kampala, you would find a number of obese children.

Unfortunately, there has been no countrywide research on obesity in Uganda; but research was carried out in a school in Kampala and Kamuli and it was found that children in Kampala are more obese. It was also found that obesity was on the rise.

Why is this?

Mbabazi Muniirah, a Human Nutrition Consultant with Nutrisat Uganda attributes obesity in children to unregulated eating and an alarming reduction in physical activity. Today’s typical child watches a lot of TV, does a lot of homework and when they play, they engage in indoor games that do not require a lot of activity. Video games are the norm.

Meanwhile, their middle class parents can afford to buy them food when they demand it and so they do. Even when children demand food that is in excess of what they require, they buy it for them.

She tells of a primary school child who eats 10 eggs, six chapattis and drinks three litres of juice in one sitting. This excess consumption of food, especially, the energy giving foods (carbohydrates) coupled with low levels of physical activity is likely to result in obesity.

Why is it necessary to curb obesity?

Obesity predisposes an individual to conditions like: diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, stroke, sleep apnea, bone and joint problems, depression and a host of other cardiovascular diseases. There is an increase in the numbers of children suffering from these diseases globally yet these conditions were initially common in adults after the age of 40.

Childhood obesity also may be a factor leading to premature death and disability in adulthood. Studies show that 70% obese and overweight children become obese adults. An obese parent is also likely to give birth to an obese child.
Obese and overweight children suffer from low self esteem because their contemporaries tease them. They call them names like ‘jajja’ and ‘fat bombola’.

Treatment

As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure.” You can control your child’s weight if you train them to eat sufficient food instead of encouraging them to overindulge. It is possible to train children from a tender age such that they do not become gluttons.

This can be done by feeding children on small amounts of food at particular times of the day. A certain amount (Mbabazi advises that children should not be fed till their bellies are distended because a distended belly means a child is overly satisfied), at a certain time and not feeding them when they demand to be fed.

With this training, a child is conditioned to eat enough and at the proper time and eventually becomes a disciplined eater.

It is also important to encourage children to play. Sixty minutes of vigorous or moderate play are sufficient. One wonders why parents enrol children in a gym yet they can play soccer, run about or even swim and acquire similar benefits. Schools need bigger playgrounds and longer break periods to allow play for their pupils.

A balanced diet, rich in fruit and vegetables and low in sugars and fat is also advisable.