To improve childhood obesity, we must first reduce junk food intake

The World Health Organization has repeatedly warned the world that the problem of overweight and obesity is becoming increasingly serious and has almost become a global epidemic. According to statistics, there were approximately 200 million obese adults in the world in 1995, and by 2000, there were at least 300 million obese adults in the world. What's more, the obesity problem is not limited to adults. The number of overweight and obese children and adolescents around the world is also increasing. By 2010, the prevalence of overweight children in the Americas, the Middle East and Europe accounted for 40% to 50% of the total number of children in each region (reaching 46.4%, 41.7% and 38.2% respectively). Even in Southeast Asia and the Western Pacific, which are traditionally relatively "thin", the prevalence of overweight children will approach a quarter of the total population (reaching 22.9% and 27.2% respectively).

In response to the problem of childhood obesity, the UK plans to ban any "junk food" advertisements on television to keep children away from the temptation of "junk food".

Due to childhood obesity, the proportion of obesity in adulthood is quite high. According to research, nearly 80% of adolescent obesity will develop into adult obesity, and adult obesity is prone to cause major chronic diseases, including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, stroke and cancer, which cost considerable medical costs.

The main causes of childhood obesity are genetic and environmental factors, among which "poor eating habits" and "lack of physical activity" are the most widely discussed environmental factors. The Executive Yuan Department of Health's survey results found that the eating habits of schoolchildren in Taiwan are not ideal. Not only do they consume more calories than the recommended amount, but they also have too much protein and fat, insufficient intake of sugar and dietary fiber, and calcium and iron intake that do not meet the recommended amounts. In addition, recent surveys have shown that children prefer to drink high-calorie, high-sugar beverages. In terms of physical activity, the number of hours of physical education classes in elementary and junior high schools or the number of physical education credits in high schools are significantly lower than those in major countries, and the rate of teenagers participating in sports clubs in school or in their daily physical activity is also relatively low. The above reasons show that the rising prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in China is not surprising.

In order to curb childhood obesity, countries in Europe and the United States have all taken relevant measures. For example, in terms of diet, the British government plans to introduce a policy to ban television channels from broadcasting any "junk food" advertisements to prevent junk food advertisements from affecting children's eating habits. In terms of physical activity, the U.S. National Health Goals for 2010 listed increasing physical activity among children and adolescents as one of its key goals.

The prevalence of obesity among children and adolescents in China remains high. In addition to relying on government policies, it also requires the cooperation of schools and families. Schools must implement physical activities, encourage students to join sports clubs and participate in extracurricular recreational sports, and create a healthy food environment, such as not selling junk food. Parents’ attitudes will also affect children’s eating habits. It is recommended that parents should try to reduce the purchase of junk food and provide more healthy food suitable for children. It is recommended that parents accompany their obese children to seek professional medical assistance if necessary in order to achieve the maximum effect of weight loss.