More and more children in Western countries are overweight. What are the social causes? And how can we try to combat obesity in children?
When to be overweight?
In adults, obesity is measured using BMI calculations. To calculate your BMI ( Body Mass Index ), divide your weight by the square of your height. If the result is higher than 25, you are overweight. However, in children the BMI test gives an unrealistic result. Children need fat reserves as long as they are growing. Doctors consider children to be overweight if they are among the heaviest 5% of their age group.
Meal at the table
undergone many changes in the 20th century . For example, in 1900 only 5% of mothers worked. One hundred years later, 65% of mothers had a job. Nowadays many parents struggle with a lack of time. Cooking a fresh meal and eating it together at the table is no longer a given for many families. Ready-made meals and snacks are easy to reach for. These often contain additives (a lot of sugar and salt) that are not always good for the health of children.
Advertisement
Television is a powerful medium. Children see commercials from major food manufacturers promoting their products. Sweet and savory snacks that contain a lot of fats and sugars. Research shows that children are easily guided by these advertisements and quickly prefer unhealthy snacks to fresh food.
Behind the TV or computer
Our society has become less safe: at least that is the general feeling. Many parents are concerned about the risks their children face when playing outside. They prefer to keep their children safe indoors. This fits in nicely with children’s need to sit in front of the TV or computer. They do not get enough exercise.
Government must help
School canteens are often points of sale for unhealthy snacks and soft drinks. In many European countries, such as France, Germany and Sweden, the government has passed laws prohibiting this. In England, famous TV chef Jamie Oliver started a campaign for healthy school meals.
The Dutch government has not yet drawn up guidelines for school canteens, although there is a lot of attention for the subject. Another point is the lack of a sports teacher at the vast majority of Dutch primary schools. Fortunately, many schools still have compulsory school swimming.
Even more possible measures
In Sweden, advertisements during children’s programs are banned, a measure that may be followed in other countries. The Australian government makes subsidies available to schools and associations that try to combat obesity. For example: healthier school meals, school gardens and cooking lessons with healthy products. So-called ‘fat camps’ have been set up in many countries. Here children can lose weight during their holiday, with healthy food and, above all, a lot of exercise.