The Hindu : New Delhi News : Obesity on the rise among Delhi kids

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Tuesday, Nov 14, 2006
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New Delhi

Obesity on the rise among Delhi kids

Gaurav Vivek Bhatnagar

NEW DELHI: Lack of exercise, preference for burgers over vegetables, drinking of colas and eating outside food have started telling on Delhi's school children, 12 per cent of whom were found to be overweight and six per cent were found to be obese in a recent survey conducted by the Delhi Diabetes Research Centre.

During the survey, which sampled 3,500 school children in the age group of 10 years to 16 years from both government and private schools and examined weight, height and Body Mass Index (BMI), it was found that 62 per cent of the children prefer fast food like burger and pizza to green vegetables; 47 per cent take at least one cold drink daily while 26 per cent do not exercise at school. Then, 13 per cent of the children were not even playing outdoors while 35 per cent spent most of their free time watching TV and playing on computer.

With overweight children in 70 per cent of the cases becoming overweight or obese adults, the study found that the obese children were "sluggish and slow in their activities". The study also found that 11 per cent of the children preferred eating lunch from the school canteen and did not bring their lunch from home.

And 81 per cent of the children claimed that they go out to a fast food joint at least once a week and 10 per cent were found to be diabetic parents.

Explaining the reasons behind these revelations, DDRC chairman A.K. Jhingan said: "The city has experienced a rapid nutrition transition in the last 10 to 15 years, with decrease in physical activity and increase in energy and fat intake. About 85 per cent of the children diagnosed diabetics are overweight or obese. Sedentary activities like watching television, playing computer games and eating junk food are considered to be the main cause of increasing prevalence of obesity in children."'

During the study an effort was also made to inform children, teachers, parents and principals about ways and means of checking this problem through animated presentations on ill effects of obesity, talks on importance of sports and other activities and distribution of printed leaflets.

Since the study had the backing of the Delhi Government, the action plan suggested that daily physical activity be encouraged in schools through incentive plans, school canteens be directed to serve nutritious and healthy food and children be encouraged to limit intake of fast foods and have a nutritive diet instead.

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