Prevent Obesity Among Children Through A Balanced Diet

By Nur Aimidiyana Zuher KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 23 (Bernama) -- "Naura will wail and plead when I don't give her rice... as a mother it is disheartening to see her behave that way," shared Nan Zakiah Megat Ibrahim, 31, of her child whose is obese. At three years old, her only child Nik Naura Dalysa Nik Mohammad Zulhairi weighs 23 kilogrammes and measures 93cm in height though the ideal weight for a child of her age is around 14.5kg to 16kg. Worried about Nik Naura Dalysa's health, Nan Zakiah consulted a nutritionist and doctor. Another mother, Diani Nadia Mat Zin, 35, also had to monitor the diet and weight of her five-year old son Tuah Jibriel Shahrul Fadhel. Her youngest son, who weighs 37kg and measures 29cm in height, loves carbohydrate rich food like rice, yellow noodles (mee) and rice noodles (meehoon). Worried over this, Diani Nadia who works as a teacher in Pasir Puteh, Kelantan, has taken preventive measures. "I used to feed him without him asking but now I wait until he tells me he is hungry." "I will also ensure Tuah is active outside the house because it is worrying if he is not active like his peers," she said. CAUSE OF OBESITY Universiti Sains Malaysia's (USM) Nutrition and Dietetics lecturer Assoc Prof Dr Hamid Jan Bin Jan Mohamed explained that the normal Body Mass Index (BMI) for children the same age as Naura Dalysa and Tuah Jibriel is around 13 and 19kg/m2. (BMI is Weight (kg)/height (cm)x height (cm)). He added that various factors caused obesity among children and studies have shown it could begin in the womb. Commenting further, he said, pregnant women with a high calorie diet, less active, experience weight increase during pregnancy or suffer from high emotional stress have a higher probability of delivering obese babies. "Babies need to be given the recommended nutrition like breastmilk, exclusively for the first six months after birth. "If they are exposed to food with sugar, fat and calories at a young age, it will stimulate fat and result in obesity," he said. Basically, Dr Hamid said that, the first 1,000 days of life, from the development of the fetus until the age of two are critical and most important in a human life. Any deficiency during this period could cause obesity at a young age as well as the risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes in early adulthood. "This is the time when organs develop and the physiology is active. If they do not get balanced nutrients, it can cause abnormal growth and be the reason for all kinds of illness. "A long-term study also showed that obese children have a high risk of being obese during their teens or until they are adults," he said. CURB OBESITY AT SCHOOL Meanwhile, head of Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Faculty of Health Sciences Nutrition and Dietetics Centre Dr Norazmir Md Nor pointed out children were exposed to fatty, oily and sugary foods that were cheap and easily available. "Snacks and junk food are not only popular among children, but also among adults... eventhough the food can affect the health. Therefore, he said food education had to be continuous at the school level to curb obesity among children. The Health Ministry and Education Ministry have taken proactive steps to educate children on optimum healthcare practices at school. "Food should be a cure or medicine to the body, not be detrimental to the health," he emphasised. Previously, the media reported research by the Malaysia Food Association last year revealed almost 30 percent (28.4 percent) of children and teenagers, aged six to 17, experienced excessive weight or obesity. FAMILY FOOD CULTURE National Parent-Teacher Association (PTA) Collaborative Council president Assoc Prof Datuk Dr Mohd Ali Hassan hoped that nutritionists could review on balanced diets in school from time to time. "The Health Ministry needs to monitor closely to ensure each pupil have access to healthy, high quality and fresh food. "The school should also make sure each student enjoys a balanced diet containing vegetables, fruits, carbohydrates and protein," he said. He also asked for schools to carry out more activities and physical education training so that pupils are more active and energetic during school. However, Mohd Ali added, it is not only that schools have to shoulder the responsibility of tackling obesity but the parents too have to be good role models for their children. He said dietary habits at home would become the children's daily dietary practice, be it at school or wherever they were. "For example, a school may control the sale of snacks, but students will still buy them outside the school gate or wherever they can obtain it. So it is important to educate and control their diet from home," he added. Mohd Ali also advised parents with obese children to seek treatment from nutritionist to help solve the problem. -- BERNAMA