The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) released a report this week which found parents are in denial about children's obesity. In a national Ipsos-Reid survey, nine per cent of parents believed their child was somewhat or very overweight, contrary to Statistics Canada's findings that 26 per cent of children under age 18 are overweight or obese.
Also this week, Stats Can reported that overall, 20 per cent of adults in cities are obese compared to 29 per cent of adults living outside cities, while the national average is 23 per cent, according to the 2004 study. Children did not show the same urban-rural differences in obesity rates.
The natural response is to look at what kids are learning about nutrition and exercise at home and in the schools. Although kids can ultimately decide to do and eat what they want despite teachings, they should still be getting the important information about healthy, active lifestyles. It is in our childhood that we become engrained in the lifestyles that we carry into adulthood, and daily lifestyle choices are harder to break when you've been living them for years.
First of all, leading by example is key. 'Do as I say, not as I do' is ineffective role modeling. Positive body image is also extremely important. Teaching young men and women who are reading fashion and muscle magazines to strive for a healthy, fit body instead of the perfect body is a more workable goal. Mike Myers' character Fat Bastard in an Austin Powers film said it best - "I eat because I'm unhappy and I'm unhappy because I eat. It's a vicious cycle."
So since we all want to see happy, healthy kids who grow into healthy adults, these recent statistics are alarming. Exercise and nutrition impact mental health and well-being as well as physical health. Initiatives like yoga and pilates in the schools are a great idea. Teach kids how simple it can be to get frustrations back on track simply by focusing on breathing. Or how going for a walk can be the most effective anger management tool. There are plenty of frustrated, angry adults out there who never learned those skills in their childhood.
To address childhood obesity, 92 per cent of adults in the survey supported mandatory physical education in schools; 87 per cent support a mandatory school curriculum on the benefits of physical activity and a healthy diet; 81 per cent support removing junk foods from school vending machines; 63 per cent support tax breaks on the purchase of healthy foods; and 80 per cent support tax deductions for parents to offset fees for sports or other physical programs, according to CMA's news release.
Whatever the solution, let's hope the obesity rates start shifting in the opposite direction for future generations.
