Obesity – excessive amount of body fat, is a key public health concern, the world over. It is occurring in epidemic proportions in many populations. We need good health to be able to live life like we ought to and to be productive in our endeavours; but obesity impairs good health.
When obesity occurs in children, the trajectory and impact of the issue transcends domestic considerations – it affects the future – the future of wellness, the future of virility, the future of productivity – to mention just a few!
Childhood obesity is a significant and growing public health problem. It leads to problems in both childhood and adulthood. Obesity in children can precipitate discrimination and stigma among peers, bullying, depression, anxiety, muscle and skeletal problems, diabetes, heart problems, high blood pressure, cancers, breathing difficulty, and a host of other body system problems.
If you think that your child is, or is getting, obese, see a doctor. The doctor would calculate their BMI and interpret that within the context of their age and sex and advise as appropriate.
The good news is that we can know when obesity is occurring, and we can do something about it. We need to prioritise actions to change the course of this epidemic. We need to muster all the efforts we can to stop this hydra-headed monster before it stops the future of innocent kids.