Childhood obesity: Are we sitting on a time

bomb?

Professor J. Hans de Ridder, Ph.D.

School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West

University, Potchefstroom Campus, SOUTH AFRICA

Kruger

National P

ark

View from my office!

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Introduction

Books

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Statistics

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StatisticsStatistics• According to WHO

there are currently 17.6 million over-weight children in the world under the age of 5.

• In 1st world countries 25 – 30% of children are overweight and 8 – 10% are obese

Statistics - USA

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Statistics Statistics –– South AfricaSouth Africa• South Africa: In 6-13

year old children, 10.9% of boys and 17.5% of girls are overweight and

• 2.4% of boys and 4.8% of girls are obese

(Armstrong, 2006)

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Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity

• Research shows that a child has an 80% chance of becoming obese if both parents are obese

• “Simply stated, a child generally does not grow out of an obesity problem”

Definition

Definition of obesity

• The WHO defines obesity as a disease in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected

• Obesity is a complex disease with both genetic and environ-mental components

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CausesCauses• Sedentary life style –

little or no exercise• Urbanisation – social

and cultural disruption• Unhealthy diet – lots

of fast food• Safety• Broken homes and/or

working parents• Internet generation

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CausesCauses• USA: 44.9% children

ages 6-17 years, 2 or more hours of screen time per day (TV, videos, computer games etc.)

• South Africa: Study by (Pienaar et al., 2005) –children more than 4 hours/day TV:

ConsequencesConsequences

• Lack of physical activity - degeneration of human body which leads to illness

• Social grounds, obese children are discriminated against

• Can lead to:– depression – aggression – self-pity & even

suicide

ConsequencesConsequences

• Obese children are also more prone to developing conditions like:– Asthma– Flat feet– Joint pains

• Due to their excess weight

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ConsequencesConsequences• Furthermore Obese

children also experience:– Developmental

deficiencies– Learning problems– Health problems– Social problems

• Childhood obesity threat to public health.

• Negative health conse-quences during child-and adulthood

• Are we sitting on a time bomb?

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The role of Physical Activity

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Role of Physical Activity

• PA is very important from a young age

• Treat overweight and obesity with physical activity (cornerstone) and healthy eating habits

• Instant diets and diet pills can retard growth and should be avoided

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Role of Physical Activity

• PA prevents the decrease of metabolic speed

• PA leads to an increase in lean body mass

• PA serves as an outlet for depression, aggression and stress

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Role of Physical Activity

• All children must have access to sport and PA

• Sport is not only there for the few top performers!

• Children should enjoy it and must be able to socialise

• Child must be stimulated so that they want to maintain an active lifestyle

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What motivates South Africans to participate in sport?

HSRC Survey, 2005 (SRSA)

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“Sport and physical activity at school level plays a vital

role if healthy living becomes a lifestyle choice

or not.”

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Role of Physical Activity• Adults must

remember:You lead by example.

• “Your deeds speak so loud, I cannot hear what you are saying!!”

Revitalizing Health & Physical Education Trough Technology

Grundy Center, Iowa USA

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Nelson Mandela Children ’s Fund

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Thank you !!Thank you !!

De Ridder Family, April 2008