WONDER YEARS

Childhood is the right time to establish healthy eating habits to avoid the onset of diseases later

There’s nothing so abundant in this world as doting mothers dispensing affection by feeding their children. This desire to nurture is sprinkled liberally with refrains like, “Let them eat what they like. They are too young to be weighed down by diet regulations. The dietary advice can wait till later in life, when restrictions are imposed any way.” These are the attitudes that shape the children’s eating habits and affect their health.

Though we want the best for our children but the way we feed them early in life can safeguard or sabotage their health later. A Yale public health expert has projected that children today are likely to have shorter life spans than their parents, which is rare. Obviously then, some shifts in our lifestyles are endangering their lives. Rapidly changing urban eating habits and exercise patterns have been found to be the most significant factors which have altered health, growth and development. While the quality of nutrition during childhood determines the physical and mental development, research has now established that the process begins much earlier, at foetal stages. Both under and over nutrition at this stage play a role in the onset of diseases like obesity, diabetes and coronary artery disease later on. Prevention of chronic diseases, hence, should start before childhood.

Childhood obesity has assumed epidemic proportions globally. The trend appears to be more serious in nations in transitional stages of development like India, both in term of numbers and severity. Some studies indicate that the prevalence rates for obesity in children in India may be higher than the global average of 24 per cent—a paradox, considering the extreme poverty in India.

Story continues below this ad

A study conducted by All India Institute of Medical Sciences in 2005 found that 16 per cent males and 17 per cent females were obese. The US has seen tripling of obese adolescents in the past two decades.
Obesity during childhood and adolescence is an independent risk factor for adult obesity and precursor to chronic degenerative diseases. The real concern is that adult diseases, including high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure, abnormal glucose tolerance, diabetes, stroke, liver diseases, bone diseases and cancer, are manifesting earlier in childhood and stay for life. Type 2 diabetes has also skyrocketed among children and adolescents. As per estimates, every fourth diabetic in the world is an Indian, and India is set to become the “diabetic capital” of the world by 2025. As many as 85 per cent of children with Type 2 diabetes are either overweight or obese (American Diabetes Association, 2000).

According to WHO (1998), the school years are an influential time in a child’s development when life-long eating patterns are formed. Given that children and teenagers spend a significant amount of time at school, it is imperative to address eating habits of children here and create healthier school nutrition environments. The current formal school curriculum does not facilitate adequate education on nutrition and health-related issues. School is a perfect setting to provide information and learning through formal and non-formal curricula, and reinforce health and nutrition messages through actions and words.

Peer pressure is profound among adolescents. School-based programmes can directly address peer pressures and help reinforce healthy eating habits. Schools should be safe havens where students can access healthy foods.

Some of the important issues which need to be emphasised include adequate consumption of whole-grains, pulses, dairy products and nuts, increased fruits and vegetable intake, breakfast and family meals, limited intake of sweetened drinks and sugary foods, regulated intake of junk food, crisps and high-fat foods, avoiding hydrogenated and trans fats, providing healthier alternatives and variety, avoiding eating in front of television and encouraging traditional and local cuisines.
Food and nutrition programmes must include nutritious meals, nutrition education, screening, appropriate intervention and guidance to promote optimal health to build a strong foundation for the future.
The writer is a former senior nutritionist at Escorts. She heads the Centre of Dietary Counselling and also runs a health food store. She feels that for complete well-being, one should integrate physical, mental and spiritual health. According to her: “To be healthy should be the ultimate goal for all.”