Views From Behind The Bench

Simply put, childhood obesity is a condition where excess body fat negatively affects a child's health and well being. I have written on this subject many times during the past number of years and am moved to do so again by the recent reports from health care providers, through the local media. As well, for the purpose of this column, obesity is not to be confused with a chubby child.
While I seldom quote statistics, the childhood obesity statistics reveal a shocking reality. The latest show that 19.6 per cent of all children between the ages of six and 11 are obese. Thirty years ago this percentage was only 6.5. The obese adolescents from 12 to 18 years of age are 18.1 per cent. In 1980 that figure was 5 per cent. Fact, the number of obese children is growing every year and is expected to continue unless serious changes take place. The cause of obesity is quite simple - our children are consuming more calories than they actually burn. This means our kids are eating more and more calorie rich foods and at the same time not exercising enough.
The obese children are 70 per cent more likely to suffer from cardiovascular system diseases and Type 2 diabetes. They usually have high blood pressure. Their cholesterol levels are also greater than the average. These kids are also more likely to have bone and joint problems when they grow up, and the risk of certain kinds of cancer is also higher. Isn't that good enough reason to institute change?
While common sense and a reasonably healthy diet can go a long way towards curbing this epidemic, sports have always been a great outlet for children to get the physical exercise they need. Sports have long held a positive influence in children's lives by teaching them the value of sportsmanship, teamwork and commitment. Many of the challenges they will encounter in later life are often simplified through participation in youth sports. While many people have often considered most sports to be healthy, both physically and psychologically, its impact on obesity is becoming more and more obvious.
Studies have shown that children who are physically active are 10 times less likely to develop obesity during their youth. Sports activities are centered on physical activity. Consider the most popular sports in the province, and even those that have less publicity and participation. They all require physical strength, conditioning and stamina, which are all important in the battle against obesity.
While most parents want their kids to be involved in sports, both in school and in the community, we don't want to be seen as pushing them into something. What parents need to realize is that by urging them to participate in sports, they're actually taking great strides towards keeping them healthy.
If your child doesn't play school sports, what do they do when they get home? Go to the playground? Play active outdoor games with their friends? Go for a bike ride? Shoot hoops? Play street hockey? If they don't play sports they have no reason to build up their muscles, their hand-eye coordination, and their sense of teamwork and fair play.
If not the above, then most likely they are lounging in the living room with a snack and some cartoons, or sitting at the computer, and not doing a thing with all that energy stored inside. While doing this, day after day, they're developing a sedentary lifestyle that puts them at high risk of becoming yet another victim of childhood obesity.
Sports just don't occupy kids for an hour or two each day. Sports, both during school days and following, become a lifestyle choice rather than an activity. Healthy eating leads to improved performance, so young athletes watch what they eat. Training during the off season gives them a better chance of making the team, so they strive to get in better condition. Practice sharpens their skills, so they practice for hours, even when their not at "practice". Throughout this entire scenario, they're building muscles, burning calories, improving their cardiovascular system, and minimizing the chances that they'll become yet another victim of childhood obesity.
I've come to learn, and understand, that the best way to treat children's obesity is to ensure that parents would first address the problem. Parents need to encourage healthy eating habits, including smaller portions. Healthy family oriented meals and activities are much more effective than diets and lectures.
Children are not engaging in enough exercise in school or at home. In some schools physical education is not offered during the school day. Some children hardly participate in community playground activities like skating, tennis, skipping, running races, etc. They spend their time doing stationary activities, such as using the computer, playing video games or watching television. It is proven that children who watch the most hours of television have the highest incidence of obesity. When children are physically inactive, most of the unused energy in the body is stored as fat. If parents become more health conscious, prepare healthy food for their children, lessen the amount of sugar in their diets, and give them opportunity to get more physical exercise, they should maintain their normal weight.
That's 30 for this week. Remember, "It's easier to build a child than mend an adult and an ounce of pluck is worth a ton of luck!" Until next week.

thebench@eastlink.ca