Obesity is the talk of the town! –Or perhaps the world over! Yes, the echoes of obesity being amongst the biggest dangers in today’s time are also heard from India, where it is regarded as one of the major problem for young children. Moreover, diabetologists fear worse, as they believe that childhood obesity can lead to diabetes. 

You would be surprised to know that over 15% of children in the age group of 15 years are found to be overweight in India–almost equal or more than the prevalence rate in the West and the developed countries of Europe and the whole world! It is noticeable here that in the US, obesity in children is lower than 15.8%; while in UK, it is 7.3%.

The experts believe that obese children are at a high risk of contracting diseases like diabetes, heart, and blood vessel disorders. Excess visceral fat or abdominal obesity is more linked to development of metabolic syndrome–a sort of direct gateway to diabetes and attendant cardiometabolic disturbances. Experts maintain that sedentary lifestyles with drastically decreased physical activity are the main causes that are increasing the rate of childhood obesity in almost all parts of the world. This again makes them more susceptible to diabetes and other associated problems.

The old-talk about improper usage of televisions or computers or indoor games, and uncontrolled intake of fast food and soft drinks has prop-up again. It is clear that these diet items contain high levels of fat and energy, but due to lack of physical activity, calories are not expended, which result in obesity. Experts again claim that parents are also somehow responsible for this problem, as they do not motivate their wards about the benefits of healthy life-style and the benefits of physical activities like walking and sports, or some outdoor activities.