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Children's lives being cut short by obesity |
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Children's lives being cut short by obesity
Australian report provides good tips for all Westerners
Source: Gladstone Observer - Australia Date: 03/07/08
A NEW report released this week shows the obesity epidemic is reducing the life expectancy of overweight Australian children.
The report,
prepared for the Public Advocacy Institute of Western Australia
(PAIWA), is the first based specifically on Australian data and shows
the life expectancy of obese
Australians is reduced by four years, and if present obesity trends in children continue; their life expectancy will fall by two years.
PAIWA director Professor Mike Daube said it was time the Government tackled the problem as a priority.
'We need well-funded, tough programs that take on industries that still promote obesegenic products,' he said.
Women's Health Centre based nutritionist Kate Wilson said it was difficult to determine the extent of the obesity problem in Gladstone because of a lack of research. 'Around one in five Queensland children have been found to be overweight compared with one in three children in other Australian States,' she said.
'That is still a lot of overweight kids though.
'I've been working as a nutritionist for the past 12 years and I'm certainly seeing more and more cases of childhood obesity coming through then ever before.'
According to Ms Wilson said a trap parents fell into was giving too much choice when it came to food.
'When I was a child I got given a meal; if I didn't eat it then I would go hungry and it would get cold until I did eat it,' Ms Wilson said.
'Another huge mistake that I see Gladstone parents making is allowing snack foods to become part of their children's daily intake.
'Chips, cakes, soft drinks and other snack food should only be special-occasion foods and not part of daily consumption.'
Ms Wilson said parents needed to stop rewarding children with food as a treat.
'Children respond just as well to a cuddle or their parents spending time with them as they do to food.'
Denise Clark, nurse unit manager Child and Family Health Unit at Gladstone Health Service, said there were numerous avenues open to parents and children in Gladstone who were seeking nutrition and diet advice to deal with obesity issues.
'There are wonderful school-based nurses at Gladstone State High School, Tannum High School and Toolooa State High School,' she said.
'Students can approach these nurses on a broad range of issues including nutrition and diet, and the nurses will be able to assist and direct them to the appropriate people.'
Gladstone Base Hospital Queensland Health dietician Tara Southgate said people had to get a referral from their GP before consulting with her on weight-related issues.
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