Blame for obese children lies at the parents’ door
JUST when you thought we knew all the types of abuse out there, here is a new subtle kind that is actually self-inflicted. Abusing your children and yourself with lethal foods, a lack of exercise and shrugging it all off as “living the good life” is the worst type of abuse because it cannot be reported.
Let us get one thing straight: obese children are not cute. They are unhealthy and more at risk of getting type 2 diabetes at an earlier age.
Paediatricians are now treating heart attacks in 11-year-olds. So whose fault is it that we have so many obese kids waddling around South Africa?
Parents seem to blame tuck shops, the tantrums kids throw when they do not get what they want, and fast-food outlets.
I remember there was this rule when I was a child that you had to finish everything on your plate or there would be no dessert or playing outside.
It was too bad if your stomach was smaller than the rest, or if you were already full by the fourth bite. But that was back in the day when they thought that if your children did not have a good appetite, they would starve and die.
Of course, back then we also ran around and played games outside instead of playing on an iPad or computer for entertainment.
Children want and need good role models. They are looking for someone to guide them and show them the right versus the wrong way. If you are a parent, it is not only your responsibility but your duty to be that example and nurture an active citizen.
After all, when you are gone, your child should be left on earth healthy, happy and disease-free. God entrusted you with another life not because you are betterlooking than the next person or drive an amazing car, but because you will choose to be deemed worthy of nurturing another human being.
It is a fact that you will pass on your eating habits to your children. If you love cakes, sweets and fatty foods and hate exercise, nine out of 10 times your children will follow in your footsteps.
Later on in life, they may hate you for not setting a better example and for allowing them to get diabetes and heart disease at an early age.
So, to help you know what you should be doing to improve the situation, here are some key questions you need to answer:
1. Do you think you are passing on the healthiest diet to your children?
2. Have you researched how much activity your child should be getting?
3. If your child says no to certain foods or activities, what is your response?
4. Have you empowered yourself with an understanding of a low glycaemic index or glycaemic load?
5. Is your child overweight and at risk of diabesity (diabetes and obesity)?
6. Who is guiding the wellbeing of your child? You, the school, your friends, your child?
If you answered no to most of these, please do not feel helpless. It is the reason I am bringing this to your attention. Thousands of parents are dealing with this issue and there are numerous channels to consult in order to support you on this journey: The internet; A dietician; Your family doctor; A friend who is healthconscious and understands what good practices are;
workshops and talks; and
Reading books. I urge you, if you are not yet on a health and wellness journey, to start today. You have nothing to lose except a few kilograms — and the health of your children to gain.
Pleading ignorance is no longer an excuse. Children are struggling to cope with school stress and life in general.
Help them along by not making health issues a concern for them too. You are the person who is responsible.
Kanchana Moodliar is the author of ‘You can be Sugar-Free: Indians vs Diabetes’. She is a motivational speaker and yoga instructor. Follow her on twitter @KanchMoodliar
A Parents SOS workshop dealing with obesity in children will be held in Durban at the end of the month to support parents who want to make the necessary changes but do not know how.
Send an e-mail to youcanbesugarfree@gmail.com to book a seat.