According to the latest data from 2021 from a study of general practitioners for children and adolescents, over 16% of children in the Czech Republic live with obesity, and almost 10% of children are overweight. In 2016, obesity affected 10% of children.
“Although we don’t have more up-to-date data, I don’t think the increase in childhood obesity has slowed down in the last two years, quite the opposite. This is a big problem, because it is not true that children ‘grow out’ of obesity during puberty. Those who are obese in childhood usually remain so in adulthood.” says MUDr. Jan Bozenský, chairman of the Pediatric Obesitology Section of the Czech Obesitological Society ČLS JEP.
MD Jan Bozensky
Obese and toddlers
Obesity already at an early age carries with it a number of health risks in the future. “Unfortunately, we encounter obesity in children already at toddler age. The risk of developing diseases such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, cancer or diseases of the musculoskeletal system increases for patients from childhood. Obesity can also cause hormonal disorders or psychological problems,” says MUDr. Ilona Hülleová, president of the Association of General Practitioners for Children and Adolescents of the Czech Republic.
As experts remind, the whole family must go through a change in habits. Family courses can help, which help both children and parents to set up a healthy lifestyle. Experts draw attention to this on the occasion of World Obesity Day, which falls annually on March 4.
Cooperation with parents
“Treatment of obesity in children cannot be done without the cooperation of parents. The biggest stumbling block is that the parents of obese children are usually ‘overweight’ too, so they don’t see it as a problem. A parent is a role model for a child, and if he doesn’t do anything with himself, neither does the child. Therefore, it is always necessary to work with parents and relatives who live with the children,” says PhDr. Iva Málková, psychologist and founder of the STOB organization, whose courses for healthy weight loss have taken tens of thousands of people in more than 30 years of existence. This year, the organization is also organizing an online conference, where experts will share their experiences in dealing with obesity in children and give advice to parents.
At the same time, according to the available data, children with obesity are more difficult to be accepted in groups and are also more likely to become victims of bullying. “We often find that parents know what is right – in short, to eat better and exercise more – but they struggle with putting these rules into practice. We try to help them re-adjust the functioning of their household to a healthier form,” explains PhDr. Málkova.
Little movement, eye candy
According to her, the main cause of the increase in obesity in children is a significantly reduced overall physical activity and also the wide availability of foods and drinks with a high calorie content. Parents can find help with their children’s extra pounds in the specialized courses of the Lively Lively and STOB association. These will serve as the beginning of the path to a healthier lifestyle for children and parents.
“We take care of children in terms of nutrition, exercise and psychology. For example, we teach them how to set a proper diet and exercise regime, which foods are suitable and which need to be limited, while we do not ban any foods. We also motivate them to move and look for a way to it together. In the field of psychology, for example, we try to decipher the stimuli that lead children to overeat or to excessive consumption of sweets, and we teach them how not to succumb to them,” describes Mgr. Lenka Štěchová, pedagogue and lecturer at STOB.
We eat over the mobile phone
As he further states, many children succumb to their old bad habits – for example, children eat irregularly and do not concentrate on food. They watch TV or mobile at his place. Alternatively, they “eat boredom” with food that is constantly available and in sight in the home.
However, according to Štěchová, courses have less effect on children’s weight loss if parents are not actively involved in changing their lifestyle. “As part of the course, a part of the lesson is dedicated to parents so that they receive the same information as their children, help them put the knowledge into practice and, ideally, start to follow them as well,” says Lenka Štěchová.
Margit Slimáková – Obesity – Food in school canteens
