Obesity in children is on the increase. Not only is this a health hazard while they are young, but it also sets a pattern for later life. Being overweight is linked to conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. This can also make such children the butt of other children's jokes and prevent them from taking part in sports activities. All this tends to affect their confidence and self-esteem and make them more solitary by nature.

Symptoms

Excess weight can creep up slowly, just as it can with adults. It can also happen very quickly if the child's level of activity drops suddenly, after moving house to where there is less area to play outside, for example.

Causes

There is a mixture of causes, and each will contribute to obesity:

Lack of exercise:

• Cycling or even walking to school is not as safe as it was. Parents are now more likely to run their children to school by car.
• Non-physical playing. Television and computer games compete with games that involve physical activity.

Inappropriate diet:

• Children eat more sweets and crisps and drink more fizzy drinks, partly because of advertising but also because they are more available.
• Change in meals. Fast food is overtaking traditionally prepared meals. Many convenience meals involve coating food with fatty creams or batters.
• Poor fresh fruit consumption. Despite it being more readily available, many children do not eat enough fresh fruit, preferring processed varieties that often contain extra sugar and fat products.

Prevention

Avoid snacking. Reward with fruit instead of sweets. Give children low-fat snacks for their breaks and meals at school. Get children out of the house as much as possible by tying in computer games with physical activity games. Limit their use of computer games and watching TV. Encourage exercise such as swimming. Make exercise a family activity, so that children learn that exercise is fun, not a chore. Aim for a broad range of food rather than excluding or severely restricting foods. Occasional burgers, sweets and chips are fine as long as they are balanced by other less fattening foods.

Complications

Avoid 'dieting' in children. It may lead to obsessive eating behaviours such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia. Obesity in childhood may also lead to obesity in adulthood.

Self care

Children have the potential to burn off fat through playing active games. This will also pay dividends for later life.

Action

If your child is overweight and you think you need further help, contact your health visitor, school nurse or GP surgery, which may have access to a dietician.

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