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Fast food is partly to blame for the number of obese children.
Kids' growing problem
Lisa Salmon6/ 8/2008
DESPITE massive publicity about the current childhood obesity epidemic, children's waistlines are still a growing problem.
The latest figures show that more than 30 per cent of children aged 10 and 11 are obese or overweight, and other age groups aren't far behind.
But whatever the figures, we've heard the obesity alarm call several times before - and yet kids are still getting fatter. Government figures show that without action, two-thirds of children will be overweight or obese by 2050.
And this means that, aside from potentially having low-self esteem and depression, they'll be at risk of a whole host of health problems including asthma, diabetes, joint problems and cardiovascular disorders. As a result, they'll have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
But it's not the case that parents are aware their children are overweight and simply turn a blind eye. Experts say the problem stems from the fact that parents often don't recognise that their kids are obese.
That's one of the reasons that, from September, schools will automatically send `fat reports' to the parents of four to five-year-olds and 10 to 11-year-olds.
Measurement Programme
Although schoolchildren were weighed and measured previously as part of the National Child Measurement Programme, parents had to ask if they wanted to see their children's results. Now they will automatically be sent information about their child's height and weight, and told whether their weight is a matter for concern.
The results will be accompanied by advice on how to interpret whether a child is a healthy weight or not, tips on healthy living, and information about follow-up services.
The fact that the `fat reports' could alert parents to the reality that their child is overweight could be a vital move, says Paul Sacher, a paediatric dietician at the Childhood Nutrition Research Centre in London.
"There are very few parents who will acknowledge their children are obese," he says.
"They think a child who is obese will look extremely overweight, whereas in fact children who are obese can just look a little bit chubby.
"It's a matter of perception, of parents being aware that their child has a problem with their weight. That's why the schools measurement programme is a good idea - it will make parents aware of whether their children are a healthy weight or obese."
Options
He says another benefit of the programme is that it will give parents options on how to tackle the problem, and information about help they can get.
Of course, some of the children at risk may be genetically inclined to put on weight easily.
Scientists have recently identified that a gene linked to obesity causes people to put on weight by keeping them hungry.
Adults with two copies of the gene are on average three kilograms heavier than those without the gene.
Study leader Professor Jane Wardle, of University College London, warns: "It's not simply the case that people who carry this gene automatically become overweight - but they are more susceptible to overeating.
"This makes them significantly more vulnerable to the modern environment which confronts all of us with large portion sizes and limitless opportunities to eat."
Amanda Hills of the National Centre for Eating Disorders says: "People learn bad food behaviours and choices as children from watching their parents' food choices.
"No matter what the government or schools do, the re-education of parents is the most important factor. They need to lead by example with healthy meals and a healthy lifestyle."
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11/08/2008 at 14:21