By: ABRS- Academic Team
Let's be aware of what's happening
In recent decades, exhaustive studies have been conducted on obesity, investigating its impact on people’s health. The collected figures paint a worrisome picture. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, between 2017 and 2020, 41.9% of adults suffered from obesity. This same dataset indicates that 19.7% of teenagers and children in the U.S., equivalent to 14.7 million people, are obese.
Information shared by the World Health Organization in the Americas region reveals the highest figures, with 62.5% of adults experiencing overweight or obesity (64.1% for men and 60.9% for women). Focusing solely on obesity, it is estimated to affect 28% of the adult population (26% of men and 31% of women). In 2021, obesity was responsible for 2.8 million deaths from non communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Americas.
The situation is not more encouraging in Europe, as per the WHO European Regional Obesity Report 2022, presented at a press event on May 3 and at the European Congress on Obesity. It reveals that 59% of adults and almost 1 in 3 children (29% of boys and 27% of girls) are overweight or living with obesity. Globally, according to the WHO, over 1 billion people are obese, with 650 million adults, 340 million teenagers, and 39 million children.
The compiled evidence underscores the seriousness of the problem and emphasizes the importance of promoting healthy lifestyle habits and advocating for policies that foster environments conducive to healthy decision-making. The situation is so concerning that March 4 has been declared World Obesity Day to address the issue and raise awareness about its severity.
Parental Guidance: The Importance of Saying No
Obesity emerges as a significant risk factor for various chronic diseases, ranging from diabetes and cardiovascular diseases to hypertension, strokes, and multiple types of cancer. This condition not only affects health in the present but also significantly increases the likelihood that overweight children will maintain this condition into adulthood.
Being a parent involves various roles, and one of the most challenging is persuading children about which foods should be included in their diet. Some parents take a stricter stance on establishing which foods should be part of their children’s diet, while others are more lenient for various reasons.
In recent years, UNICEF has published reports highlighting how millions of children and adolescents worldwide consume excessive ultra-processed foods and non-alcoholic beverages with high levels of saturated fats, trans fatty acids, sugars, or salt, with harmful consequences for their health and development. Various governments have responded by implementing regulations requiring companies offering products with saturated fats or ultra processed foods to display their properties on the labels.
A study by the Pan American Journal of Public Health in Uruguay revealed that 50% of children aged 2 to 4 consumed three or more products with excess nutrients associated with non-communicable diseases. Approximately 9 out of 10 children consume products with an excess of at least one of the critical nutrients studied.
Faced with this scenario, projects like TrueFood have emerged to show the impact of these foods and support parents in learning what their children consume.
Despite the initiatives of international organizations, some governments, and private associations seeking to mitigate the effects of this problem and raise awareness, the final decision rests with the parents. Beyond creating campaigns and highlighting risks, these organizations cannot be present at the dinner table when, after an exhausting workday, children insist on consuming ultra-processed foods due to their pleasant taste or easy preparation and consumption. Being a parent is a complex and demanding task that requires responsibilities. Perhaps one of the most challenging aspects today is the ability to say no to children while consuming products that, despite being attractive, significantly affect their health. It is at the dinner table where the strength to say NO is needed.