Childhood Obesity – A Serious Concern of the Future Generation

We are living in a world of advertisements where everything is treated from a business point of view. The fast-moving world and super busy individuals made our homes filled with ready made items, especially when it comes to the food habits. Kids being the direct victims of all these, end up eating junk food from a very young age. Not only that, lack of play area near home, and the excessive influence of technology is keeping them away from physical activities which result in childhood obesity or overweight.

Though this term is quite familiar to all of us, seldom we understand the far reaching consequences of it. Negligence of this may end up carving a future generation ‘good for nothing’. Homemade meals and public play areas slowly vanish from our lives and we are happily getting adjusted to the change.

Childhood obesity is often associated with numerous health issues which may also turn fatal in some cases. Schools can play a pivotal role here to re-write the future and shape a generation which is healthy and mentally stable. 

Food Education

Education not only means the classroom lessons about the curriculum. Food education is highly necessary for the present scenario where children are left with no option but junk. Lack of awareness is the main villain here due to which children are not able to choose the right thing for them. Educate them about the importance of health and fitness along with food habits that can make a huge difference. Once they understand the need for being healthy and consequences of unhealthy food habits, they would be capable to take the wise decision on their own.

Importance of physical activities

Shifting to healthy eating habits will bring the initial positive changes in the life of a child, but obesity prevention cannot end there. Physical activities are mandatory to keep them healthy and fit. Most of the children these days suffer from childhood obesity. They can get back to their healthy life if they are encouraged into physical activities. Many of the Bangalore international schools have started compulsory physical activity programs to defeat the battle with childhood obesity. These activities could include exercise, swimming, dancing, sports, playground activities and so on. 

Awareness to parents

Along with children, parents should also have the awareness to build a healthy future generation. A few of the top Bangalore IB schools have conducted awareness workshops for parents to warn them about the consequences and teach them some healthy practices.