Is your child or family overweight?
Is your child or family overweight?
30/04/2024
In 2020, the World Obesity Federation changed World Obesity Day to March 4th. Pro Criança Cardiac takes advantage of the approaching date to bring information and tips to the families of children and adolescents served by the institution.
One in three children, between five and nine years old, is overweight in Brazil, according to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE). And, worldwide, the number of obese children is expected to reach 75 million in 2025, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
This is very alarming data, as an obese child can more easily become an obese teenager and adult. And an obese adult is at risk of having a shorter life due to diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, breathing difficulties, high cholesterol and cardiovascular disease.
We must also take into account the social issue, bullying, which in certain cases worsens the situation of overweight and obesity. With shame, the child or teenager may want to isolate themselves and eat even more, as a way of compensating for frustrations. It is important to note that the quantity of food does not always cause overweight, but the quality of high-calorie foods consumed daily.
Let’s highlight some reasons that contribute to the growth of obesity in the Brazilian population, especially in children:
– Industrialized snacks, such as sandwich cookies, chocolates and snacks, most of which contain a lot of sodium, preservatives and sugar.
– Frequent trips to fast food restaurants.
– Little or no daily physical activity, such as cycling, a walk in the park, walking the dog, games that move the body.
– A lot of time spent on cell phones and computers.
– Family eating habits. As we well know, there is no point in wanting the child to eat well, with balance, if the people living in the house do not set an example.
– Emotional, genetic, physiological, metabolic issues.
– Inadequate foods to complement the baby’s breastfeeding up to two years of age.
If you have difficulty changing the diet in your home, seek help from a nutritionist, a professional recommended to help you and your family in this important mission. Preventing obesity in children early is an act of love and responsibility. Take care of yourself and your family too.
