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With September marked as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, it is important to consider modern lifestyles, their impact on children’s health, and what families can do
Childhood obesity is preventable. Through creating balance with screen time, encouraging physical activity, and making healthier food choices, families and communities can help promote the health of the next generation
Childhood obesity is becoming one of the major public health issues of our time. With September marked as National Childhood Obesity Awareness Month, it is important to consider modern lifestyles, their impact on children’s health, and what families can do to help.
Dr Ramalingam Kalyan, Senior Director & HOD – Paediatrics at Max Super Speciality Hospital, Vaishali shares all you need to know:
Why Is Childhood Obesity Rising?
Too much screen time: Today’s children can spend a great deal of time utilizing their phones, tablets, or watching television. These are enumerated on the Physical Activity Guidelines as an example of sedentary or passive entertainment. Long periods of sitting also lowers caloric expenditure while seated and can contribute to poor posture and negative affect on sleep.
Unhealthy food habits: Easily available junk food, sugary drinks, and highly processed snacks are calorie-dense but nutrient-poor. Regular consumption leads to weight gain and a higher risk of early diabetes and high blood pressure.
Reduced physical activity: Urban lifestyles, safety concerns, and academic pressure mean fewer children engage in outdoor play or sports, reducing their daily movement.
Health Risks Beyond Weight
Childhood obesity is not just about appearance-it can have long-term effects. Overweight children are more likely to develop metabolic conditions, cardiovascular problems, joint pain, and even emotional challenges such as low self-esteem or bullying.
Steps Parents and Communities Can Take
Encourage active play: At least 60 minutes of physical activity daily, whether cycling, running, or organised sports.
Limit screen time: The WHO recommends no more than 1 hour per day of screen time for children under 5, with consistent boundaries for older kids too.
Focus on nutrition: Replace sugary drinks with water or milk; encourage fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and home-cooked meals.
Family involvement: Children follow by example. Shared meals, walks, and healthy cooking at home make a big difference.
Community and school support: Access to safe parks, playgrounds, and school-based fitness initiatives are equally important.
Childhood obesity is preventable. Through creating balance with screen time, encouraging physical activity, and making healthier food choices, families and communities can help promote the health of the next generation. It is ideal if children begin to develop these habits at an early age to encourage the chance for a healthy, active future.
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl…Read More
Swati Chaturvedi, a seasoned media and journalism aficionado with over 10 years of expertise, is not just a storyteller; she’s a weaver of wit and wisdom in the digital landscape. As a key figure in News18 Engl… Read More
September 07, 2025, 08:58 IST