While India still struggles to feed all of its 1.2 billion population, childhood obesity and diabetes have also become an increasing problem among the middle classes, who have largely benefited from decades of rapid economic growth.

Overweight children with diabetes are at greater risk of developing heart disease and heart attacks, deteriorating eyesight, kidney failure, high blood pressure and high cholesterol.

Most Indian children are already on heavy dosage of medication. Many young patients already have mild depression because of their size.

Time to look at Socio Cultural issues that are leading to childhood obesity:

1. A general misconception is prevalent in India that the obese child is a healthy child and the so called “baby fat” will vanish as and when the child grows. Since the child is constantly fed without giving importance to what is actually being fed, child becomes obese and remains the same throughout the life. "An obese child is bound to grow up as an obese adult."

2. Burdening the students with the studies and academic activities has left little or no room for physical activities. This is more prevalent among the Indian girls who live a sedentary lifestyle right from childhood when compared to the boys.

3. Since most of the urban parents are working they find it extremely difficult to manage time and so order for junk or quick bite foods. The importance of balanced healthy diet and lifestyle is hardly taught to the children or implemented at home. When parents themselves are into a unhealthy lifestyle and wrong eating patterns how can we expect children to get disciplined from childhood in this area?

4. For most urban Indian families the word “family outing” has become eating out or visiting a mall during holidays or weekends indulging in food.


5. High-fat, high-sugar, high cholesterol, fast food outlets proliferate in Indian cities, catering for a hard-working, time-poor middle class population eager to spend its new-found cash, with western brands often chosen as a visible sign of luxury.

6. Majority of children are on a high intake of heavy carbonated soft or energy drinks on a regular basis which they treat as a supplement for water to handle their thirst.

7. Junk is junk whether you label it Indian, Eastern or Western food. Till elders continue to treat food as a form of celebration, a punishment, a time pass, a bribe, a deviation - children would tend to treat and get addicted to food in a similar fashion.

8. Most of the children are found spending more time in front of the computers, smart phones and the television. So no time for play or outdoor games nor any other recreational activities.

9. Also influence of media and advertisements on food selection and indulgence is on rapid rise. Parents and educational institutions will have a major role to play in educating children on media promotions.

Various community intervention and health education programs are being introduced in urban India to induce the children to follow a healthy lifestyle and get into eating habits and also in creating awareness about the importance of physical activities among the children. The need for parents to be educated on healthy lifestyle is also on rise.

As parents you cannot preach something significant to children at home which you won't tend to believe in or want to follow. Right from being in a mothers womb to entering into this world and growing up - it is the right of every child to be healthy, fit and happy and to nourish their bodies and mind. Let us not deprive them from their right!

Courtesy
Glow With Health Wellness Solutions