It’s high time we start tackling child obesity epidemic

WITH children returning to school this week, there’s a heightened sense of emotion across households up and down the country. Anticipation, excitement and anxiety are the dominant emotions and it can be a stressful and draining experience for children and adults alike.

Starting school should also be an enjoyable time, a once-ina-lifetime experience. But recent reports revealing how school uniform sizes have increased dramatically in Ireland are now a major cause for concern. Going back to school, or indeed starting for the first time, should be about implanting confidence in children as they begin their academic future. Socrates said a healthy body ignites an invigorating state of mental awareness, which increases the mind’s capacity to absorb learning. But rising obesity levels among children and teenagers is now a clear and present danger to the nation’s health.

Up to 90,000 children aged 11 and 12 are now considered overweight in Ireland. And one Irish company that manufactures school uniforms said that 46 inch waists are now being requested, while shirt collars up to 18 inches are also being sought by some children.

On top of this, studies reveal that children are at a greater risk of developing Type Two Diabetes, while cardiovascular problems are also likely to be an issue earlier in life due to sedentary lifestyles. This is a major cause for concern and the beginning of a new school year is the best time to raise awareness.

Overweight children may have physical problems but they can also develop psychological and social issues as they grow older.

Moreover, a recent survey conducted by DCU and Dublin GAA on the mobility skills of 3,000 primary school children across Ireland showed that 60 percent of those surveyed had below the recommended levels of fitness for their age category. The survey also found that some children did not even have the basic fitness levels required to throw or catch a ball.

The worry is compounded even further by a World Health Organisation survey that claims four in every five teenagers will have subsequent weight issues in later life. What’s more, there seems to be no shortage of activity based events throughout the country, yet obesity levels are still on the rise.

Why is this happening? Why are all the messages of healthy living running parallel with increases in child obesity?

This anomaly needs to be addressed and a co-ordinated action plan involving schools and parents needs to be fast-tracked to meet this problem head-on.

Yes, the availability of sugary and processed foods has increased dramatically in the past decade. It means a need for restraint should be even more acute, particularly among adults whose responsibility it is to control what children eat. Children need to know such foods are in the ‘ treat category’ and not to be consumed daily.

Children also need to get more active: iPhones, tablets and TV screens are having a detrimental impact on children’s health and this needs to be halted. And schools should not be solely held accountable for rising obesity levels as bad diets and poor activity habits are shaped in the home.

The long- term problems facing our health system must also be factored in. It’s time to get active in the fight against child obesity and the ‘ back the school’ atmosphere is a perfect place to start.