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Time to take a stand against child obesity? We take a look at new statistics from Public Health England and evaluate how to prevent obesity in childhood.
“Levels of severe obesity in children aged 10 to 11 years have reached the highest point since records began…”
– Public Health England
This figure was revealed at the end of July 2018 when Public Health England published their latest findings from the National Child Measurement Programme.
How much of a problem is childhood obesity?
To be clear, there is a difference between a bit of childhood chub and genuine obesity. The World Health Organisation defines obesity as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health”. This is an important distinction to make; impressionable children must not be made to feel as though an obsession with weight and body image is necessary.
With that in mind, it’s time to look at practical ways to 1) reverse and 2) prevent this worrying trend.
How to prevent obesity in childhood
The usual cause of obesity is a lack of balance when it comes to the food we eat and the energy we use. That’s why it’s important to adopt a healthy lifestyle from an early age.
Now, that doesn’t mean adopting fad diets full of super-foods and detox juices! It simply means eating sensibly from every food group and getting plenty of cardiovascular activity.
We should not raise children to feel like exercise is a chore.
Exercise should be a fun aspect of everyday life and, significantly, it should be inclusive. If you want to know how to prevent obesity in childhood, you need to listen! That means knowing your child’s limits, as well as the limits of those they choose to play with.
So long as they find an efficient form of exercise to enjoy, children should see the benefits start building up!
The benefits of using exercise to prevent obesity in childhood
“Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health challenges of the 21st century.”
– World Health Organisation
Exercise for Everyone
If you’re looking to prevent obesity in childhood, you’ll want to ways to encourage the children in your life to exercise. So why not take the journey with them? Take a look at our list of Five Ways To Get Fit For Free if you’re looking for inspiration.
Above all, we believe education is fundamental when it comes to fitness. That’s why it’s so important that good fitness practices are taught in schools.
Read our article on Fitness in Schools to find out more.