Big issue on little ones

NST: IT’S no secret. In a recent study by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia’s Faculty of Health Sciences and Nestle Products Sdn Bhd, more children are becoming obese.
The study, Nutritional Status And Dietary Habits Of Primary School Children In Malaysia 2007/2008, looked at 11,000 primary pupils nationwide over a one-year period. It measured their weight, height and body mass index and examined their eating habits and physical activities. It found that 12.8 per cent were overweight and 13.7 per cent were obese.
This was a follow-up to a similar study by UKM and Nestle in 2001, which focused only on children in Peninsular Malaysia. At that time, there were 11 per cent overweight children and 9.7 per cent obese children.

HEAVIER GIRLS
The study found that more girls (13.0 per cent) were overweight compared to boys (12.1 per cent), but more boys (17.5 per cent) were obese compared to girls (9.6 per cent). In terms of racial demographics, Chinese boys (34 per cent) and Bumiputra girls in Sarawak (29.3 per cent) were more likely to be overweight and obese.
UKM School Of Healthcare Sciences chair Professor Dr Norimah A. Karim said the study confirmed that children are eating more fast food, do not have balanced meals and are less involved in physical activities.
“We already know children today have a poor diet and lead a sedentary lifestyle. We hope this study will encourage parents to monitor their children’s eating habits.
“At the end of the day, parents must be accountable for what their children eat. They can control their children’s trips to fast food restaurants, make sure they eat fruit and vegetables, and encourage them to take part in some form of physical activity.”
The study revealed that children are indulging in fast food more frequently. The three favourites are burgers, fried chicken and pizza.
In the 2001 study, nine per cent of the children said they ate fast food more than twice a week. In 2007, that figure shot up to 20 per cent. Those who ate fast food weekly also increased to 31 per cent in 2007, compared to 22 per cent in 2001.
The fact that children are eating fast food more than twice a week, said Norimah, is a concern as this could mean they are having their fill four or five times a week. If they’re not engaged in any physical activity, that may explain the increasing rate of obesity among children.

DON’T SKIP BREAKFAST
The study also found that many of the children skipped breakfast. “The risk of obesity is higher if we don’t have breakfast,” said Norimah.
Only two-thirds of the children had breakfast every day, with those who didn’t giving excuses such as “no time”, “not hungry” and “no appetite”.
Most also didn’t eat a balanced meal, with 28.5 per cent saying they ate rice with meat and vegetables plus fruit during lunch and 21.2 per cent during dinner.
In terms of physical activity, only 27.3 per cent of the children said they spent time playing badminton, football, cycling or running.

TEACHING KIDS ABOUT NUTRITION
Nestle started its Healthy Kids Programme last year in five schools to educate children aged 7-12 about nutrition and the benefits of physical activities. It chose 40 children from each school for the three-year programme.
Nestle Products corporate wellness manager Chia Wee Leng said: “We will monitor their understanding of nutrition and eating right. Lack of knowledge and understanding may lead them to becoming obese. We believe if children are informed, they will know how to take care of themselves.
“We are also working with parents, teachers and canteen operators on improving their knowledge on nutrition and physical activities among children.”
Nestle has also taken the initiative to ensure its food products are healthier by coming up with breakfast cereals made from whole grains, reducing the sugar content in its Milo UHT drinks by 25 per cent, increasing its range of low-fat milk and offering real fruit juices.
Norimah thinks the reason it’s difficult to curb obesity among children is because it’s not identified as a disease. Many people don’t realise that obesity can be a contributing factor to serious conditions such as diabetes, cancer, renal failure and stroke.
“I believe more in prevention than treatment. Having a healthy lifestyle can help prevent obesity, which, in turn, can help prevent diseases related to it.”
Norimah is optimistic that with education and proper implementation, the rate of obesity among children can be reduced in the next three to five years. “We won’t see a reduction immediately. If we can maintain the rate, it’s good enough for now.”