Curbing childhood obesity

The health ministry must work with WHO to promote healthy eating as negative impact of obesity on children is manifold

With the global rise in fast food trends and processed food consumption, it is no surprise that child obesity has been on the rise. While fast foods and processed foods have been providing convenience to families with fast-paced lives, it has come at the cost of a global pandemic of childhood obesity. The recent committee formed by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to end childhood obesity is a renewing initiative. It is also a proud moment for Pakistan as Dr Sania Nishtar, Pakistan’s former minister for science and technology, has been named the co-chair of the Commission to End Childhood Obesity. With the rising trend of burgers, pizzas and processed foods in Pakistan, child obesity is most evidently on the rise here. With a leader working closely with the WHO to fight the global cause, we hope Dr Nishtar can return the knowledge and strategies to Pakistan and help fight the obesity epidemic within the country as well.

In Pakistan, we face several problems in trying to prevent childhood obesity. The country’s security situation is such that children cannot safely spend time outdoors to perform physical activities, such as riding bicycles, and there is a lack of park facilities. With the advent of technology such as smart phones, tablets and video games, children have also become less interested in outdoor activities. Parents further encourage poor eating habits such as feeding children more red meat — which is high in cholesterol and fat because of the longstanding myth that the consumption of meat is nourishing and wholesome, when, in fact, certain vegetables contain more protein than do meats.

While South Asian dishes make for delectable cuisines, we have to be cautious as many of our foods contain excessive amounts of oil and sugar and tend to be deep-fried, giving rise to obesity and heart disease. The ministry of health must work with the WHO to promote a campaign on healthy eating as the negative impact of obesity on children is manifold, affecting physical, cognitive and emotional development.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2014.

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