Health Alert - Obesity Among Filipino Children

Posted on February 22, 2007
Filed Under Food, Health and Beauty | Viewed 3788 times

A few days ago, Angela’s endocrinologist, Dr. Sioksoan Chan Cua, and I talked, in passing, about the growing number of obesity cases among children and young teens, which is very alarming. She said that she has been reading my blogs, and agreed that blogs are good media for sharing experienes and information. At first, I was not really concerned because not one of my 7 kids and 2 grandkids is fat. But when I came across Food and Nutrition Research Institute’s (FNRI) article, which mentioned about the emerging problem of overnutrition, overweight and obesity among children and adolescents, particularly in the middle and upper socioeconomic groups, I felt I had to write about it, for my sake (it is not only a matter of overnutrition, but the type of foods taken and one’s lifestyle), and for the sake of other moms like me.

National data revealed that 1 percent of young children (1-10 years old) and 3 percent of adolescents (11-17 years old) were classified as overweight (5th NNS, FNRI-DOST). Among private school children specifically, there was an even higher prevalence of obesity that ranged from 25 to 50 percent. The major reasons stated for the development of obesity in both studies were sedentary lifestyle and intake of high calorie, high fat food…

The study was conducted in 2003, I wonder how much the percentages have increased over the last 4 years. This is alarming, because being overweight is a risk factor to diabetes and hypertension, even for very young people.

The “sedentary” lifestyle and “intake of high calorie, high fat food” were the words that struck me hard. With today’s age of cable TVs, computers, video gaming and consoles (PS2, PS3, XBox, WII, etc.), hand held consoles (Game Boy, PSP, etc.), and social networks (Friendster, Multiply, MySpace, blogging), a large number of kids lead a sedentary lifestyle in the home. Good that during school days, there is PE in school, where our kids go for ballgames, exercises, and extra-curricular activities and clubs, like pep squad, gymnastics, dance, theater, but this is only maybe once or twice a week. And summer is fast approaching. There is a big chance that more than half of the time, our children would be staying at home.

More so, look at the food that our children eat. Blame it on fast foods, blame it on television, blame it on advertising, most of the foods available have high calorie and high fat contents. If you look at the labels of most of the juices and mineral drinks that are available in the market, you will find that the major content is sugar (or its other forms). I guess it is high time that parents and schools initiate something, to curb the situation.

In Thailand, about 600 primary schools vowed to ban sugary drinks from the playgoundI know of some schools that have a “no soft drink” day once a week. and classroom in an effort to curb soaring child obesity rates in the kingdom. Tens of thousands of children across the country will be without their lemonade and cola under the voluntary measures, introduced as part of the government’s sugar reduction campaign. (source: The Philippine Star, 22 Feb 2007).

Isn’t it about time that we carefully look into what our children eat, maybe, slowly wean them away from junk foods, and other foods with high calorie and high fat content? Maybe, carefully look into labels of juices and foods for sugar and fat content? Maybe educate ourselves , our other family members who stay in our homes, our household help, and our kids? Also, isn’t about time that we take some time with them for exercises or physical activities? It will not only for their good, but for ours as well, our health and our family’s happiness.

For a few months now, since after retirement, I had taken time out with the kids, to go biking (at the Quezon Memorial Circle on weekends), badminton (though most of the time it is in the living room and garage), and took long walks in the malls (I hope this counts). Now I have to look at the foods we eat, especially in restaurants, lessen pizzas, burgers and fries (this will be a struggle). My kids are not sports minded (except Vince perhaps who does a little football), so I really have to encourage them for physical activities. Most of them are into dancing, theater and pep/gymnastics, somehow that compensates. And right now, with only 3 weeks remaining before the school year closes, they have so many projects that could count as physical activity.

Comments

17 Responses to “Health Alert - Obesity Among Filipino Children”

fengbrum on February 22nd, 2007 11:46 am

hello sexy mom. as soon as i read the title of your entry, i knew i had to comment. talking about obesity here, my son, who is just about to turn 3 this April fools day, is near obesity as his pediatrician commented during our recent well-baby checkup. he now weighs 21+ kilos, a little over the ideal weight for his age.

when i asked the pedia if there’s a need for my son to go on a diet, she said not yet. instead, we were advised to increase eating solid foods and lessen his intake of milk, seems to be the main factor why my son is so big. you see, he consumes about 8 bottles of 8-ounces of milk per day so a 1.8kg can of Nido Fortified is only good for one week, grabe no!

good thing din that the milk was the very culprit, at least. thankfully, even he have tasted bits of sweets and junks (we moderately allowed him to), he’s has not prodded us to buy him those regularly. and if he does, i would take on a very long justification why he should not eat those.
vic on February 22nd, 2007 11:48 am

One program that our government here did to combat obesity and improper nutritions among young children was the prohibition of selling Junk Foods in schools bending machines.
Toe on February 22nd, 2007 2:12 pm

Are those your kids Sexy Mom? That’s such a cute picture. I used to go regularly to Quezon Circle with my Dad. He does so until now. He’s a member of the runnex.

Ay, agree ako sa’yo with kids nowadays. They just stay home. Whatever happened to patintero and agawan base? Simple (and free) childhood activities forgotten because of technology.

Your kids are very active… wow dancing, theater, gymnastics… that would definitely keep them fit.
Sexy Mom on February 22nd, 2007 4:15 pm

thanks, feng – you must be spending a lot on milk! i guess pediatricians know better, but if there are indications that a child is becoming overweight, then it is time for us moms to take precautions, because we might not know – before we know it, the situation is beyond our control. yes, a 3-yr old should have more solids.
Sexy Mom on February 22nd, 2007 4:16 pm

vic – i just hope that the government takes the initiative, seems like this is not a priority.
Sexy Mom on February 22nd, 2007 4:19 pm

hi, Toe – yes they are my kids, 2 out of the 7.

i guess patintero et al are now part of history.

sometimes i wonder why my kids’ interests are not mine at all, particularly theater, dance and music.
BA on February 22nd, 2007 10:52 pm

not one of my 7 kids and 2 grandkids is fat.

Mataba kaya ako. Kaya nagsimula na akong magjogging. :p
JMom on February 23rd, 2007 1:29 am

Dito rin, sexyMom, obesity is a problem among young children. The school cafeterias are making menu changes, but parents do have to do the bulk of the work. We control so much of what they eat and do. Our youngest daughter is overweight. Although she eats healthy meals she does like to snack in between and that is the culprit I think. That, and the sedentary lifestyle. So we promised ourselves to start a walking regimen to start with just to get them out and burn some calories. I think the hardest thing for me as a mom is to deny her food, so I just try to balance it out by giving her more activities to burn up some of the extra calories.
KK on February 23rd, 2007 2:43 am

I’m actually surprised about this report. But then again, people back home think a child is cute if she/he is round like a ball. Or even proud of their fat kids to show that they are feeding them.

I talk nutrition with my 5 year old daughter to make her think about of what she is eating. She would even refuse chips now and tell me they are junk food filled with hydrogenated oils.
verns on February 23rd, 2007 9:56 am

Hi Sexy Mom

Some mommies also take the time to prepare the “baon” of their kids to school instead of giving them money. Most cafeterias/canteens don’t have healthy food. I guess this will also help
verns on February 23rd, 2007 9:57 am

Hi Sexy Mom

Some mommies also take the time to prepare the “baon” of their kids to school instead of giving them money. Most cafeterias/canteens don’t have healthy food. So for their kids to avoid unhealthy food, sila na mismo ang nagpre-prepare ng food which I believe also helps
dimaks on February 23rd, 2007 2:14 pm

I also heard that the emergence of computer games contribute to this obesity issues among kids. They tend to spend more hours sitting.
Alex on February 23rd, 2007 4:23 pm

I believe that the sedentary lifestyle is the one to blame. I for one gained a massive 37 lbs when I got out of college and started being a desk monkey.

Kids live a similar life nowadays. Schools don’t really promote an hour a day of physical activity to keep one’s weight.

Blame it too on computer games too. Well, the Nintendo Wii’s an excellent alternative to that.
haze on February 24th, 2007 3:41 am

My husband observed that publicity and commercials in the Philippines is about food! For instance, when promoting a milk, vitamins, restaurants the child or person (model) should be chubby, it doesn’t mean that fatty child is healthy.

At home I seldom buy candies and chocolates, soda or cola, junk foods and eat burgers and fries ! That is calory intake. My husband and I are both sportive and I am happy that our children are following our footsteps. It’s depends to us parents on how we teach them to follow eat proper food, have balance diet and do sports whenever we have free time and not just letting them waste their time talking on the phone, texting, playing with computer games or watching TV! Problem of obessity is serious, we need to start doing something before its too late!
ann on February 24th, 2007 8:21 pm

It’s also my concern. I’ve been cutting my kids carbo intake for 2 yrs now. Pero ang bagal magsipayat. Maybe because they don’t have enough exercise too. We don’t have a friendly climate here for outdoor activities. A very cold winter and a boiling summer. Our apartment is only good for indoor games. And I think it has something to do with the genes, what do you think?
bonggamom on March 6th, 2007 11:45 am

Thanks for visiting my site! For my first comment on your site, I knew it had to be this post. Obesity here in the US is a big concern, with around 65 percent of adults here overweight or obese. And a shocking 17 percent of US kids ages 2-19 are overweight. The prevalence of fast food, packaged or convenience food, huge portions and lack of exercise are certainly to blame. I try hard to make sure my kids get regular exercise and serve them healthy foods. I didn’t realize obesity in the Philippines was such a concern as well.
Jaymie on May 17th, 2007 2:50 pm

Hi Sexy Mom,

I think the best way to combat obesity is for us parents to be good role models. Kids will learn not from our words but our actions. After giving birth to my 2 kids, I was sedentary for a while. I recently took up running, and much to my delight and with no prodding at all, my 6 year old has expressed interest in it as well. He joined me already for two fun runs finishing his 3k with pride. He tells me he would rather do this than watch tv at home. I guess it’s our job to give them more activities that will get them fit and healthy and out of the couch.