Consultant Paediatrician from Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) highlights on World Anti-Obesity Day the potential long term risk to children’s health from obesity in the UAE, and that trying to maintain a healthy weight in childhood is important for children. Dr Lee Hudson, General Paediatrician and Consultant at the London based hospital, which treats children from the region, is advising parents to consider this increasing issue to help protect them from the risks associated with obesity in the future.
According to data from the World Health Organisation (WHO), obesity rates among adults are high in the region, with 37% of the UAE population being classed as obese[1]. Alarmingly, rates for young adults and teenagers in the Middle East top global charts for obesity and being overweight compared to the rest of the world[2]. Obesity is linked to heart disease, stokes, cancer and diabetes.
Dr Hudson, who refers to obesity as an emerging public health problem epidemic in the Middle East, highlights the importance for parents to be aware of their child’s weight as obesity can impact their health both now and in the future.
“The definition of overweight means that a child’s bodyweight (in particular the amount of body fat) is higher than most children’s in a healthy population and greater than would be advised. Obesity is when that level of being overweight is more severe. Healthy lifestyles should be promoted to all children. Issues with weight tend to build up slowly over time and many families do not notice until problems are established,” he said.
According to Dr Hudson, being obese or overweight is also linked to mental health problems in some children. It is a burden on the individual, family and society in many ways.
“The best treatment for obesity is prevention, and educating the family and children about healthy ways of living, including eating well and exercising regularly, is vital. Losing weight is hard, and the treatment for being overweight is usually the same as the way to prevent it: eating well and exercising regularly.”
“If you are worried about your child’s weight, seeking advice from a health professional or dietician can be helpful. Adults should set good examples around food and exercise, as well as try to gain an understanding of why your child is eating so much. Sharing a healthy lifestyle in the entire family will ensure that children are given the best chance at a healthy and long life,” Dr Hudson recommends.
Top tips for keeping your child at a healthy weight:
- Get Active: Encourage physical activity e.g. swimming, sports, jogging and cycling.
- Limit their time sat down watching TV: Especially when eating as when distracted by the TV, they tend to not sense how much they are eating
- Be careful about portion sizes
- Do not let them skip meals
- Have a positive and constructive attitude: Do not tell off or punish a child for being overweight
- Be a good role model: Children tend to copy what parents and adults do – so parents and relatives should try and demonstrate healthy eating to set a good example
About Dr Lee Hudson
Dr Lee Hudson is a consultant in general paediatrics at Great Ormond Street Hospital. Dr Hudson specialises in medical complications involved with eating and feeding disorders, obesity, chronic fatigue syndrome and general paediatric conditions in infants, children and young people. Dr Hudson qualified from Sheffield University and undertook specialist training as a general paediatrician in Australia and the UK. He is also an executive member of the International Association of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health’s Young People’s Health Special Interest Group.
About Great Ormond Street Hospital
Great Ormond Street Hospital in London is recognised as one of the few truly world-class hospitals for children. As a global leader, GOSH has top clinical and research experts working every day to find new and better ways to treat children. While breakthroughs and medical expertise are essential to the treatment of patients, GOSH also places great emphasis on the support and care provided for children by nurturing an open and supportive atmosphere, ensuring that parents and patients are well informed and closely involved in the treatment process. Children receive the highest standards of care and attention from the expert team of medical and support staff during their stay at GOSH, and are always treated with respect, trust, concern and openness.
The International and Private Patients Service at GOSH treats over 5,000 children from over 80 different countries each year. The service is tailored to the referral and treatment of international patients and our dedicated, multi-lingual team ensure a smooth and efficient patient experience.
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[1] The Economist Intelligence Unit. 2016. Confronting Obesity in the Middle East. Available at: https://www.eiuperspectives.economist.com/sites/default/files/ConfrontingobesityintheMiddleEast.pdf last accessed 07 November 2016
[2] Ibid.
