Childhood obesity emerging as major health concern in Telangana: KIMS doctor
Hyderabad, Sept 11 (TNT): Childhood obesity is emerging as a major health concern in Telangana, with rising screen time, junk food consumption and sedentary lifestyles increasing the risk of hypertension, diabetes and fatty liver disease among children, said Dr Babu S Madarkar, Clinical Director and Chief Neonatologist, KIMS Cuddles, Secunderabad, on Friday.
In a release, Dr Madarkar said the prevalence of obesity among children in Telangana increased from 0.7 per cent in NFHS-4 to 3.4 per cent in NFHS-5.
Various studies have also reported combined overweight and obesity rates of 20 to 35 per cent among school-going children in urban Hyderabad, he said.
He said India was facing a “double burden of malnutrition”, with undernutrition, stunting and micronutrient deficiencies continuing even as overweight and obesity were increasing.
An estimated 4.1 crore children in India are overweight or obese, while increased consumption of packaged foods high in sugar, salt and fat, refined carbohydrates, chips, noodles and sugary beverages was contributing to unhealthy eating patterns, he said.
“Being overweight does not necessarily mean that a child is adequately nourished. Micronutrient deficiencies can coexist with excess body weight,” Dr Madarkar said.
He said rapid urbanisation, changing lifestyles, increased indoor time, online food delivery and easy access to junk food were contributing to the rise in childhood obesity in Hyderabad.
In areas such as Gachibowli, Miyapur and Madhapur, academic pressure, limited access to playgrounds, increased screen time and preference for indoor entertainment were contributing to sedentary lifestyles among children.
Dr Madarkar said clinical observations in urban Hyderabad suggested that overweight and obesity were increasingly common among school-going children, with some settings reporting one in every two or three children being overweight or obese.
He warned that excess body weight during childhood could increase the risk of hypertension, fatty liver disease and type-2 diabetes. Conditions traditionally associated with adulthood were increasingly being identified among younger age groups, he said.
He said tackling childhood obesity required more than simply asking children to eat less or lose weight. A comprehensive approach should include healthy eating, adequate physical activity, responsible screen use, mental wellbeing and changes in family lifestyle.
“Parents need to lead by example rather than simply instructing children to follow a healthy lifestyle. Families should adopt healthier eating habits and make physical activity a part of everyday life,” he said.
Schools should also provide adequate time for sports, exercise and other forms of physical activity, he added.
Dr Madarkar called for stronger monitoring of packaged foods high in sugar, salt and fat and referred to recommendations under the ICMR-NIN-led ‘Let’s Fix Our Food’ initiative, including clearer front-of-pack nutrition labelling.
He also stressed the need for effective implementation of regulations governing the sale and advertisement of high-fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) foods in and around school premises.
Schools should adopt the ‘Eat Right School’ approach, ensure canteens comply with food safety requirements and periodically review food menus with guidance from nutrition experts, he said.
He recommended that children engage in at least 45 to 60 minutes of physical activity every day through exercise, sports or other age-appropriate activities.
Urban planning should also provide safe playgrounds, walking paths and cycling tracks and protect open spaces where children can play, he said.
Childhood obesity should be viewed not merely as an individual or family issue but as a growing public health challenge requiring coordinated action by parents, schools, communities and policymakers, Dr Madarkar added.
TNT TS
