On their backs they carry not only backpacks, but also extra kilos. They avoid vegetables and exercise. According to WHO criteria, 1/3 of Polish children weigh too much! It’s not just their parents who see the problem. How is Poland fighting the scourge of obesity, and what solutions are being introduced in the world?
We know the preliminary results of the European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) study organized in our country as part of the WHO project, and financed by the National Health Program for 2016-2020. Poland, as one of 35 countries, has measured, weighed and analyzed the population of eight-year-olds. The research was coordinated by the Institute of Mother and Child, and the questionnaires were filled in by parents (mainly mothers of the respondents).
How it is? It could be better, but it’s not too late. In the light of the criteria established by the World Health Organization, the majority (56,6%) of eight-year-olds have a BMI (body mass index) normal. 1/3 of children suffer from overweight or obesity, and only 12,2% are underweight – mainly to a low degree. – Unfortunately, every tenth eight-year-old child has abnormal blood pressure values. And if this indicator correlates with overweight and obesity, the risk of developing the metabolic syndrome in the future increases – emphasized the COSI coordinator in Poland, Prof. Anna Fijałkowska.
The disorder, characterized by impaired glucose tolerance and elevated blood sugar levels, increasingly affects children. The most common consequences are diabetes, hypertension, and lipid disorders.
A killer duo
The study confirmed what we have known for a long time. Obesity is becoming wider and wider, and the culprit is the same as ever. It is a combination of lack of exercise and poor diet. Let’s start with the kids’ menu. The “rule of five portions”, ie 400 g of vegetables and fruit per day for eight-year-olds, clearly does not apply. Only 54 percent. eats vegetables every day, and every tenth respondent uses them at least once a week. It’s better with fruit – 68 percent. XNUMXnd and XNUMXrd graders select them as a snack each day. What do Polish little ones eat then? It is not known.
Probably the same as their parents. There has long been talk of “inheriting the way of eating”, that is, passing on in the family the habits, manner, quantity and quality of consumed food. And if we look at other statistics – we will find out that adults with vegetables and fruit are also at odds. Only one in three Poles says that they eat the recommended amount. With 110 kg of fruit and vegetables consumed annually, we are far from the European average – 250 kg. Diversity is our Achilles’ heel: children most often choose carrots, tomatoes and cucumbers, they avoid the green ones like the fire: broccoli and spinach. From fruit, they choose apples and bananas. The latter, due to their high calorific value, are not the best choice, however.
A big plus, possibly related to the new school shop regulation, is the reduction in the amount of sweets. According to the preliminary results of the survey, more than half of eight-year-olds indulge in “a little something” less than once a week. Apart from the diet, Polish children have a problem with sports. Only 41 percent. XNUMXnd and XNUMXrd grade students of primary schools are physically active for more than two hours a day. They spend their free time mainly on doing homework and reading books.
What is the shell …
The authors of the study emphasize that childhood obesity is a problem that we cannot underestimate for several reasons. First, it increases the risk of fatty liver, asthma, orthopedic problems, sleep apnea, high blood pressure, impaired glucose tolerance, and type 2 diabetes. Second, it will last for years: an obese child will almost certainly be an obese adult. And even if his BMI (Body Mass Index) improves, extra kilos will leave a lasting mark on health later in life. In addition, when talking about toddler obesity, we cannot ignore other aspects – in this case, mental health. Overweight children much more often have problems with socialization and achieve worse academic results. They are very often stigmatized by their peers and adults. The most disturbing thing is the behavior of the parents themselves, who do not so much ignore the problem of obesity as do not recognize it. The completed questionnaires show that only 14 percent. adults considered the weight of their own child to be incorrect. Probably their own excess weight is responsible for this – 38 percent. children with abnormal BMI, obese mothers.
Rest of the world
Looking at the rest of the world, we are on the statistical average – the most obese kids live in the United States and Canada, the Japanese are the thinnest as usual. In Europe, the lowest rates of obese children are recorded in the Netherlands and Norway. State policy is undoubtedly playing an increasingly important role in the fight against obesity. The experience to date shows that the introduction of taxes and subsidies aimed at improving the quality of diet pays off. It not only brings budget revenues of between 60 and 300 million euros per year, but also savings in healthcare.
Just look at our European neighbors. Scandinavia is a good example – in Finland, since 1948, primary school students have been able to benefit from free meals paid for with taxpayers’ money, as long as they meet the quality criteria of nutrition. Additionally, since 2011, sweets, chocolate and non-alcoholic beverages have been subject to excise duty, the rates of which increased over the following years. National regulations also regulate the obligation to use warning labels on products with a high salt content, and the commonly used “heart symbol” informs consumers about the right choice.
In Sweden and Norway, broadcasting of advertising aimed at children on television is prohibited. This patent was used in 2006 by the British, who were gaining weight at an alarming rate. And they went a step further – introducing a tax on drinks, the proceeds of which are to be used to finance the operation of breakfast clubs and sports. According to the WHO, sweetened drinks are one of the main causes of the obesity and overweight epidemic. According to a report by the World Health Organization – 19 percent. young Europeans reach for them every day. And considering the fact that an “innocent can” (330 ml) can contain 35 g of sugar – that’s the right direction.
A new one is coming
According to experts, introducing a tax on products with high sugar content in Poland would bring many benefits. Low-income consumers, who statistically more often eat unhealthy food, are the group most sensitive to price changes. And this means that if fast food cost them dearly, they probably wouldn’t buy it. So far, Poland is modeling the approach to the problem of obesity, and the fight against obesity has been recognized as one of the strategic goals of the “National Health Program 2016-2020”. Earlier initiatives have already borne fruit – data for the 2014-2015 school year show that 1 children from 351 schools benefited from the EU’s School Fruit Scheme and 661 students took part in the School Milk Scheme. After all, if a child is overweight, it depends most on the attitude of the parent. The mainstay of treating toddler obesity is changing the lifestyle of the whole family. These are some helpful tips:
Teach your child healthy habits – take them shopping with you and involve them in preparing meals;
Remember the principle of “5 portions of vegetables and fruit a day” (vegetables should be relatively more, potatoes are a separate food group, freshly squeezed juice is a worse solution than fruit),
Introduce regular meals and make sure your child eats breakfast while still at home;
Do not let your child eat in front of the TV;
Don’t use sweets as a reward;
Don’t force your baby to eat when he doesn’t feel like it;
Serve your meals in small plates and reduce the portion size if necessary;
Organize your child adequate physical activity;
Limit the time spent in front of the TV and laptop;
Instead of frying, choose steaming or grilling.