The fact that obesity numbers in the UAE are down but Emirati and expatriate schoolchildren are still overweight is not encouraging. The percentage of overweight children stands at 39.2 per cent and this should send alarm bells ringing amongst those who are responsible.
Overweight children are more likely to become overweight adults unless they begin to embrace healthier lifestyles and proper patterns of eating and exercise. Symptoms of obesity begin to show during childhood and adolescence and this leads to risks and complications later in life thus becoming a lifelong issue unless arrested early. Although medical disorders can cause obesity less than 1 per cent of all obesity is caused by physical problems.
Childhood obesity is connected with emotional problems — kids develop a low sense of self-esteem and this leads to depression, anxiety and signs of obsessive compulsive disorder.
Overweight children need medical evaluation and proper monitoring by their parents. Time is an investment, but the rewards are worth it.
