Childhood and teenage obesity

The latest World Obesity Atlas report 2022, shows that 8 in every 100 Kenyan children become obese every year. Kenya is ranked 143 out of 183 countries in the report on preparedness for dealing with obesity related illnesses such as diabetes and hypertension. More than one million Kenyan children aged between 5-19 years will be obese by 2030. Lifestyle changes have contributed to this trend. More than one billion people around the world will be obese, a majority of whom will be in the low and middle-income countries (LMIC) like Kenya.
The World Health Organization (WHO) 2021 showed that global obesity had tripled since 1975. Childhood and adolescent overweight and obesity prevalence rose from 4% in 1975 to just over 18% in 2016. This rise is similar among boys and girls: in 2016, 18% of girls and 19% pf boys were overweight,
Mothers have stopped exclusive breastfeeding (EBF) of their babies which contributes to child obesity. EBF helps build the child’s biology and immune systems ensuring the right foundations and hormonal balance in the child, the lack of which contributes to a rise in childhood obesity.
The government policies have not been able to catch up with modern times and tactics by the food and marketing industries. We have been slow in developing and implementing policies that aim at reducing trans-fat in foods, encouraging front pack labelling of food products, reducing sugars and salts in food and controlling advertising targeted at children aimed at food products.
Sedentary lifestyles have contributed to these sobering statistics. We are less active and rarely cook healthy food for ourselves at home. There is a decreasing interest in learning how to cook traditional foods as they are considered less fashionable despite them being healthier options. Children play less, preferring to be behind their screens indoors. Physical activity is important because it helps burn calories. Fast food are usually fatty, deep fried, overtly sugary or salty which does not promote good health.
We need to reverse this situation by embracing healthier lifestyles such as eating organic foods and creating time for physical activities for our children and teenagers.