HOW TO PREVENT CHILDREN FROM OBESITY

Parents, schools and the media should encourage children to develop healthy food habits – reduction in the intake of junk food (such as highly processed drinks and foods, high-fat foods and fast foods), reduction in the intake of sugar and sweetened foods and drinks, increase in the consumption of whole fruits, vegetables and milk in preference to refined juices, more fish in  preference to more meat (especially red meat) and ensuring that whole cereals, legumes and grains form the bulk of their diets. Remember a colourful plate (full of fruits and vegetables) is a nourishing/healthy plate.

Children should also be encouraged to take part in physical activities like outdoor play/ exercise in schools and homes. Also, local, state and the federal governments should include safe bicycle paths in their road development plans so that more children can increase their physical activities through cycling. Governments can also stimulate increase in physical activities through the provision of public exercise/ sporting facilities that are affordable and sited for easy access by many.

Television viewing time and time spent using mobile devices should be regulated by parents to discourage completely sedentary lifestyles by children. Parents should give their children room to breathe fresh air and more.