Obesity crisis afflicting our kids calls for urgent action

A NEW health crisis is facing our kids and it’s not ebola, bird flu or childhood cancer.

It’s obesity – and despite Townsville’s love of sports and outdoor lifestyle, our kids are the heaviest in the state.

Children are eating more calorie- rich foods and moving less, creating a health crisis of epidemic proportions.

It’s an uncomfortable issue to confront but one we must tackle to ensure the sustainability of our health system and the wellbeing of the next generation of adults.

Clearly we’re doing something wrong to create a whole generation of kids at an increased risk of having lifestyle- related health issues.

If we don’t do something now, we will all suffer as our health system becomes overrun by diabetes and other lifestylerelated illnesses.

It’s staggering to think more than one in five children in Townsville are overweight and close to 10 per cent are classed as obese.

What chance do these children have of a long and healthy life if they are already struggling to maintain a healthy weight before even reaching adulthood?

Less than 3 per cent are eating enough vegetables, instead chowing down on biscuits, chocolate, chips and fast food.

With increasingly busy lifestyles, families are struggling to sit down and enjoy a home- cooked and nutritionally balanced meal together, instead opting for quick, and often fatty, options.

Instead of children running, playing and riding their bikes outside they are inside watching TV or playing on a tablet.

Urgent intervention is needed, including education, but lifestyle changes must start at home.

Parents have a huge role in ensuring their children maintain a healthy weight.

It won’t be easy – but with education, healthy food options and more physical activity we can turn our kids’ health around.