Doctors warn that childhood obesity, if unchecked, can lead to diseases like hypertension and glucose intolerance (type-II diabetes)

Sedentary lifestyles coupled with consumption of junk food and hours spent in front of mobile phones, laptops and television — all have a role in rising obesity among children, which is fast becoming a health concern in metro cities.

A survey conducted by a private provider of health services in schools in Bengaluru found that 10% of children between three and 16 years were obese. It also found that another 13.8% were at risk of contracting lifestyle diseases in adulthood.

“If a child puts on weight below two years and is breastfed, he/she is less likely to develop cardio-metabolic syndrome. However, if the child puts on weight after two years, he is likely to be obese and develop various lifestyle disorders. Parents should be cautious right from the childhood,” said Asha Benekappa, Director of the State-run Indira Gandhi Institute of Child Health.

H.P.S. Sachdev, paediatrician at Sitaram Bhartia Institute of Science and Research in Delhi, said that childhood obesity is a matter of serious concern all over the world because children who are overweight or obese grow up to be overweight or obese adults.

“Childhood obesity is also a forerunner of metabolic syndrome, poor physical health, respiratory problems and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like hypertension and glucose intolerance (type-II diabetes). This is a matter of serious concern as NCDs typically occur later in life,” Dr Sachdev said.

“A wholesome and balanced diet comprising minimally processed food is a must. Even the midday meals provided to school children should comprise a balanced diet with adequate proteins, minerals and vitamins,” he added.

According to the guidelines of the National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad, children and adolescents should have staple foods like cereals and millets three to six times a day. Vegetables, which are an essential source of vitamins and minerals, should be consumed two to five times a day; milk and milk products that come packed with protein, calcium and other essential micronutrients two to three times a day; and pulses and other protein-rich foods like eggs, fish and meat two to three times a day. Children should consume fruits one to two times a day, the guidelines say.

Other health problems

The survey found that 28.6% school children were found to have have dental caries (cavities) while 15.1% had newly detected / worsening vision problems. In addition, more than 200 children had previously undetected cardiac murmurs, and 70 had previously undetected hearing defects, according to the study.