From a recent study on childhood obesity, Kenya has recently been experiencing an increase in the population of overweight children.
Obesity is defined by age to body weight.
The World Health Organization defines overweight and obesity among 5-19-year-olds as the proportion whose body mass index is more than one standard deviation above the reference median.
Research shows that Kenyan figures on childhood obesity are quite alarming.
Of the 563 children aged 9 to 11 years recruited from varying socioeconomic statuses in the country, nearly one in seven children was overweight, and one in 16 was obese.
Less than 13 per cent were meeting the WHO recommendation of at least 60 minutes of vigorous exercise per day.
Children who are overweight or obese are significantly less active and spend more time in sedentary pursuits such as sitting or watching television as compared to their age-mates.
This dormant lifestyle poses a range of health risks to the children as well as holds a great impact on their future lives.
Being overweight or obese is one of the four physiological risk factors that increases a person’s chance of developing a non-communicable disease.
One can also develop cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, chronic respiratory disease, diabetes, or even a mental disorder, which may result in long-term illness or disability and premature death.
The other risks include high blood pressure, high blood glucose, and high blood fat.
These four physiological risk facts have four shared behavioural risks, which include inadequate physical activity and sedentary lifestyles, unhealthy diets, overuse of alcohol and smoking.
Instead of stuffing young children with junk and other unhealthy foods such as sugar-sweetened beverages and fatty snacks, parents should normalize offering a good and healthy diet.
They should educate them on the dangers of these unhealthy ranges of foods which are cheaply and readily available on the counter.
Physical activity also promotes healthy living.
A physically active child tends to have an improved ability in decision-making as well as an improved mental performance compared to their age-mates living sedentary lifestyles with no physical activities.
Children, therefore, need to be provided with adequate facilities at home, for healthy activities as well as a conducive environment for mental development.
School-level programs that promote health, nutrition and physical activities should be developed and included in the school curriculum, this includes the inclusion of PE lessons as compulsory to all school children.
International organizations, the government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector and academic institutions should work together to address this surge of child obesity and reduce its risks by educating children as well as their parents, on active and healthy lifestyles.
Edited by Kiilu Damaris
