A recent TV documentary, highlighting rising obesity among school children, revealed that the average 10-year-old weighs 10 kilos more than his ideal body weight.
The All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, conducted a survey on children aged between 14 and 18 and reported that of the 2000 children studied, 17 percent were obese or overweight.
The findings are eye openers for parents who live under the misconception that their overweight child is imply “growing up” or will get rid of all the “baby fat” soon. Under the illusion that a little fat is good for the body, families indulge their kids in all kinds of unhealthy food.
One important thing to note is the lethal combination of munching junk food while watching TV has become a common feature with children in most homes.
Thirteen-year-old Jatin weighs 60 kilos which is approximately 10 kilos more than ideal. Every evening he spends three hours watching TV during which he consumes up to two packets of salted chips, downs a couple of fizzy cola cans, chocolate biscuits, cakes and other snacks his mother stocks up.
His calorie consumption is likely to go up to a whopping 3,500 calories - almost twice the amount his body needs.
What’s worse is that Jatin engages in no regular outdoor activity though other than an occasional round of basketball with his friends.
Adequate exercise is important for the growth and development of your child. Jatin’s sedentary lifestyle is what’s putting him at a higher risk for childhood obesity, and obesity related ailments such including heart disease, diabetes and arthritis that could affect him in his adult life.
Food guide for sporting days
Tags: Kids, Food
