World awareness day against childhood morbid obesity: Brazil could occupy fifth place in the world rankings
Summary
June 3 is World Day against Childhood Morbid Obesity, raising awareness of the risks and encouraging the fight against obesity through healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and medical monitoring.
June 3 is World Childhood Morbid Obesity Awareness Day. The date is intended to alert the population to the risks and treatments needed to combat overweight in children and adolescents.
Data from the World Health Organization (WHO) report that, globally, the obese population, aged between five and 19, has increased tenfold in the last decade. If nothing is done, it is estimated that the prevalence will reach 254 million children and adolescents in 2030. In the same year, the prospect is that Brazil will occupy fifth place in this ranking.
“For children, obesity leads to a variety of short-term cognitive problems, such as poor academic performance, lack of attention, poor sleep quality, bullying and depression. Over the course of their lives, they tend to become obese adults and develop joint diseases, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, cancer and other chronic diseases,” warns Maylla Moura Cabral, pediatric endocrinologist at Atma Soma.
According to her, regular check-up with the pediatrician is extremely important to identify excess weight early, receive guidance on healthy habits and adequate treatment.
“It is essential to establish a consistent routine of physical activity, a balanced diet, healthy sleep, conscious use of electronic devices and multidisciplinary monitoring,” he recommends.
Preventing morbid obesity in children involves a combination of healthy eating habits, regular physical activity and medical monitoring.
Healthy eating habits
• Offer a balanced diet: Include a variety of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and low-fat dairy products in your child’s diet. Limit your intake of foods high in sugar and saturated fat.
• Control portions: Teach your child to recognize signs of hunger and satiety. Avoid serving large portions and encourage your child to stop eating when he is full.
• Avoid sugary drinks: Replace sugary drinks and juices with water, skimmed milk or natural juices without added sugar.
• Eat family meals: Eating together as a family can help establish healthy eating habits and allow parents to model positive eating behaviors.
Regular physical activity
• Encourage physical activity: Children should get at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity per day. Activities like running, cycling, playing soccer, and swimming are great options.
• Reduce screen time: Limit the time your child spends in front of the TV, computer, tablet and smartphone to a maximum of two hours a day.
• Incorporate physical activity into daily activities: Walking to school, playing outdoors, and participating in organized sports are effective ways to increase physical activity.
Medical monitoring and support
• Regular visits to the pediatrician: Bring the child to queries regular doctors to monitor their growth and development. Your doctor can provide personalized guidance on diet and physical activity.
• Identify early problems: Pay attention to signs of excessive weight gain and consult a healthcare professional if you have any concerns. Early interventions may be more effective.
• Ask the experts for help: Nutritionists, psychologists and physical education professionals can provide additional support and help create a personalized action plan.
Positive environment and emotional support
• Promote a positive self-image: Avoid making negative comments about your child’s weight. Encourage healthy body image and self-esteem.
• Education and awareness: Teach your child the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. Do it in a positive and non-pressured way.
• Involving the Family: The whole family must be involved in adopting healthy habits, creating an environment of support and encouragement.
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Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
