On your marks kids, if you don’t want to end up obese
THE recent Sentinel headline about childhood obesity (The Big Issue, February 7) across our area highlighted the continuing challenges we face regarding sugar addiction, lack of exercise and general lethargy.
But oh, were these the only matters we should worry about. As recent studies have found, the regular consumption of so-called energy drinks – beloved of the young – has been linked to anxiety, stress and suicidal thoughts, hence 40 health-related organisations have approached the Government’s Health Secretary, advocating restrictions on sales of energy drinks.
I can’t prove for certain that there is more sugar in these drinks than the cans of Tizer or Corona I drank when I was young. However, I think I can say with certainty that any sugar addiction I may have had was offset by an interest in sports and running. Today’s generation compared to my own is far more sedentary (gaming, social networking, etc) and less likely to burn off all those calories.
I’m instinctively against reducing people’s food choices purely because they are unhealthy, but both children and adults need to take far more physical exercise – ideally in company or with a support group.
When our dietary preferences lead to obesity and resultant low self-esteem, it is time to consider joining some activity class or walking/ running club.
There are lots of them in North Staffordshire and they are demonstrably helping people of all ages to tackle the physical and psychological issues that are caused by being overweight.
MERVYN EDWARDS WOLSTANTON