Why all our little ones need a healthy start to their lives
Latest figures show that more than a quarter of children aged four and five are overweight or even obese. Here Dr Julie Bishop, director of health improvement for Public Health Wales, explains why the new Every Child Wales campaign is so important
Q Why is it so important in Wales to tackle childhood obesity? A The 2015-16 Child Measurement Programme results show that just over a quarter (26%) of children aged four to five are overweight or obese in Wales.
And while that means that three-quarters of children are a healthy weight, the rate of overweight and obesity isn’t getting better.
Longer term, we are seeing the impact of obesity on the health and wellbeing of the population and this is likely to get much worse unless we act now.
QWhat health problems are children most at risk of if they are overweight from a young age? We know from speaking with parents that they may not always think that being overweight as a child is a problem.
Aterm, there are lots of benefits in the short term to being a healthy weight, too.
When children are a healthy weight, they are likely to feel better about themselves and find it easier to play and learn.
So the sooner parents They often tell us that and they are likely to get advice about making “puppy fat” is okay and experience more psychological sure their child stays that they will grow out of it problems such as a healthy weight, the better. – and some kids do. depression and anxiety. However, we know that Q Q some don’t. Obese children What health benefits Why is Every Child are more likely to can maintaining a Wales such an important have risk factors for cardiovascular healthy weight have for programme? disease and nonalcoholic young children? We believe every
A A fatty liver disease As well as avoiding illhealth child deserves the than normal-weight children in the longer best possible start in life.
If a child spends their early years healthy and happy, they are more likely to grow into healthy and happy adults. Q Q Why have you decided to target parents What would your top with children aged 0-5 in piece of advice be for particular? parents with children in A A The early years of life, this age group? from conception to We know that parents age five, have a huge impact have got lots of things on children, parents on their minds and that and families, throughout their child’s weight will not their lives and from generation be a priority for them, but to generation. we know that their general
The pre-pregnancy, health and happiness is. pregnancy and early years Spending time together phases of life are very important as a family eating a healthy in terms of influencing meal, enjoying some time the future health in the park or at the beach and development of children or playing a game without and young people. your phone or tablet or TV
Vital foundations of on will be good for everyone adult health are set down. in the family, not just The evidence suggests that your children. influencing the development It takes a few minutes to of children to maximise look at www.everychildwales.co.uk their health, social to see the 10 and educational development simple things they can do is most effective to help their child grow up when done as early as possible. healthy and happy. They may be surprised at
how easy some of the steps Q How will are! young mothers and mothers? A The help and advice available at www.everychildwales.co.uk isn’t just there to help kids to grow up healthy.
It’s also there to help make it easier for parents to make choices, and to give them quick access to information and advice.
Some of the advice – around sleep, screen time and diet for example – is likely to make life easier for parents, because they will find it easier to get their child into a routine, and plan their days a bit better.
QWhat can GPs, health visitors, midwives and nurses do to help parents who may be concerned or may not realise that their child is overweight? We will be developing more guidance and support for health professionals as part of Every Child Wales.
We would encourage all health professionals to take overweight and obesity seriously; they play a really important role in helping parents to understand that their child is overweight but that they can do something about it.
AQWhat specifically can parents of newborns do to make sure their child doesn’t become overweight? The Every Child website has all the information parents of newborns need, but to summarise it here, the three best things they can do are to try their best to breastfeed their baby, wait about six months before giving their baby solid foods, and to try to ensure their baby grows steadily during this time.
AQIf their child is overweight, what can parents do to bring their child back to a healthy weight and make sure it is maintained? The important thing to remember is that it is never too late to make a change.
If your child is a little bit older, there are still things you can do to help manage your child’s weight.
Things like making sure they are outside every day instead of being stuck in front of a screen, that they eat their “five a day” and are drinking water or milk instead of fizzy pop or squash.
If parents are really worried that their child may be very overweight or obese, they can see their health visitor, school nurse or practice nurse for advice.
AFor more information visit the website at www. everychildwales.co.uk