Child obesity is rising, warn doctors

Childhood obesity in male children in the UAE are 1.8 times more than the international level, and female children are 1.9 times more.

Abu Dhabi - It is up to the parents to stop the alarming numbers from increasing, said the doctors in the UAE, who urged them to ensure the health of their children come first.

Child obesity cases will continue to rise in the UAE, affecting 14.62 per cent of its '20 years and under' population by 2020, up from 12.40 per cent in 2013, according to the World Obesity Federation.
It is up to the parents to stop the alarming numbers from increasing, said the doctors in the UAE, who urged parents to ensure the health of their children come first.
"The very first thing we need to do is to raise awareness about the rising numbers. As doctors, we know that these numbers are severely increasing, but common people don't," said Dr Tomson Thomas, consultant, pediatric surgeon, Universal Hospital.
Dr Thomas said childhood obesity in the UAE is higher than the international level in developed countries, including the US and the UK.
He said childhood obesity in male children in the UAE are 1.8 times more than the international level, and female children are 1.9 times more. "The next generation will be more prone to diseases, including heart diseases, liver diseases, lung diseases and metabolic diseases, all because of the current high figures. The future will face severe problems if the numbers don't decrease now." 
Archana Baju, clinical dietitian at Burjeel Hospital, said it is up to the parents to start making the necessary changes. "It is scary to think how parents can even let their children reach the extent of obesity. Although combating these figures is a challenge, parents must understand that a healthy lifestyle starts at home."
Baju said that more than 20 per cent of the young patients at the hospital, are overweight or obese. Moreover, she stressed that a whopping 80 per cent of the UAE population are vitamin D deficient, and this figure has a lot to do with obesity.
"Because parents are not taking their kids outside enough, they not only lack physical activity but also lack vitamin D." 
She added that the health authorities in the UAE are making many positive initiatives about healthy meal choices for kids, whereas many parents "are still not taking their children's health seriously".
She said that many parents in the UAE are still turning to packaged meals and heavily processed foods, that contain high amounts of artificial flavouring, colouring, preservatives, sugar, salt and fat, which are not only leading to childhood obesity, but are also linked to deadly diseases in the long run.
Baju pointed out that many parents rely more on nannies to take care of their children, than themselves. "Even when I ask the child 'what did you eat at home,' the child would turn and look at his nanny, because the mother doesn't even know what is being fed to her children." 
She advised parents to ensure their children eat food from the basic five food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, proteins, and milk.
"Parents are responsible for their children's wellbeing and health; and are exercising four to five times a week."

Juggling work, family life can be tough