Make lifestyle changes to fight obesity among children: Doctors

Even if children lose weight, they are at risk of developing deadly diseases in their adulthood.

Doctors in the UAE are calling on parents to be vigilant about what they are feeding their children. They claim that obesity among youngsters is drastically rising in the country and the fault lies in the hands of the parents.
"Many parents here don't consider obesity as a problem; they think that their children will lose the weight once they grow up," Dr Aysha W Mahmoud, pediatrics specialist at Bareen International Hospital, told Khaleej Times.
"The side effects of obesity will stay with the child throughout his life, even if he loses the weight later. The risk of developing deadly diseases cannot be changed."
Dr Mahmoud warned that even if children lose weight, they are at risk of developing deadly diseases in their adulthood. These include cardiovascular diseases, high cholesterol, diabetes, skin problems, liver problems, joint problems, high blood pressure, as well as problems with the brain, which can cause strokes.
She stressed that the number of obesity among children is alarming, however, there is no efficient data that provides the real accurate rates. She pointed out the need for such data to be analysed and revealed to the general public, in order to raise awareness and educate families about the dangers of obesity.
Dr Mahmoud added there is no robust study on obesity in the UAE, yet a study on obesity in the GCC reveals that the percentage of obesity is around 36 per cent - slightly higher than the US percentage, which is around 30 per cent.
In the UAE, the prevalence of obesity in males is more compared to females, according to a study, she added.
Moreover, Dr Mahmoud said that out of the 700-850 young patients she attends every month, around 15-20 per cent are overweight or clinically obese and they mainly constitute Emiratis.
What's more alarming for the doctor, is that around 80 per cent of these children have parents who are also overweight or obese.
"This is why the parents need to change their own lifestyles first - because their children are copying what they do."
"Another problem with obesity among children in the GCC is related to the obesity in adulthood. The obesity in adulthood has reached a whopping 66 per cent among men and 60 per cent among women.
She said that nine out of 10 children in the GCC use technologies for entertainment, instead of taking part in sport. "That is 90 per cent of all children. We have only 10 per cent of children in the GCC doing physical activities."
Moreover, although genetic and hormonal abnormalities are rare, they are also linked to obesity in children. She said less than five per cent of all obese children have hormonal abnormalities.
"This is a fractional percentage, yet many parents come to the clinic complaining that their child has gained a lot of weight, but most times we don't find any hormonal abnormalities."
She advises parents to ensure their children are not only being fed healthy food, but also being fed healthy thoughts. "When we talk about obesity, we need to work on many aspects. It is not just about weight reduction, but also about psychological help and building up self esteem."
Another reason as to why obesity among children is rising is related to unhealthy food choices. Dr Mahmoud said there should be less carbohydrates, sugars, salts and processed foods, and more fibres, fruits, vegetables, as well as lean meat and protein.
She added that parents and teachers should ensure children are not eating junk food in school. "Many parents complain that even if they put healthy food in their kid's lunch boxes, they find out they're still eating unhealthy meals at schools."
She added that the Ministry of Health and Prevention and the Ministry of Education, are working together to ensure kids are being fed nutritional meals in UAE schools.
Dr Umamaheswararao Ginjupalli, paediatric consultant and head of department, Burjeel Royal Hospital, Al Ain, said obesity rates can only decrease when parents learn to make changes at home.
He said that around 15 per cent of children in the UAE are overweight or obese.
"The numbers are increasing because physical activities are completely gone out of the schedule and children have easy access to fast food."
He added that the government gave strict instructions to schools to ensure they are providing healthier meals for children. "Yet, kids still have access to unhealthy food and snacks. The lifestyle choices are extremely unhealthy, kids are spending more time inside and parents are usually blaming the heat for it."
Dr Ginjupalli said that he receives around 400 patients each month and around 10 per cent of them are overweight or obese. "At the end of the day, you should set a good example for your children. They follow what you are doing - you are meant to be a positive role model."
jasmine@khaleejtimes.com

Be the change you want to see in your children
The whole household needs to change and parents should not change just the lifestyles of children, according to an expert doctor on obesity and related issues.
Dr Majid M. Bassuni, CMO, consultant general, Laparoscopic, Bariatric and Colorectal Surgery, Universal Hospital, Al Ain, said more parents have been neglecting the health and wellbeing of their children in the UAE.
"Parents need to monitor their children's weight from the age of five and if they see a trend of an increasing weight they have to act quickly. They must learn that children do not learn from what we say to them, they learn from what we do around them."
Dr Bassuni warned that parents who smoke tobacco should also be blamed for their children's obesity. "Passive smoking, whether from shesha, medwakh or cigarettes, also reduces the chances of children losing weight. The nicotine and carbon monoxide switches off the hunger system and the child begins to just eat out of habit, not out of hunger."
Dr Bassuni also believes in a low carb diet, adding that the biggest culprit is wheat. "In science and in medicine, we learn that insulin is responsible for the deposition of fat."
He explained that insulin only works if one eats carbohydrates, it does not work when one eats pure fat alone, such as ghee or butter.
"Children are going to school with three sandwiches in their lunch boxes, this is another reason why they are overweight."
He said that wheat became "dangerous" after the Second World War, when wheat genetics were modified.
He advised parents to thus use gluten-free bread made from rice, almond or coconut flour.
Dr Bassuni added that children also require proper exercise that increases their pulse rate at least three times above its rest rate and maintain the rate for at least 20 minutes to be effective.

• Dubai