On her TikTok account, @m.mamanasygnale, the paramedic and mother brought attention to the pressing issue of childhood obesity.
It turns out that as many as 36% of children aged 7 to 10 and over 22% of teenagers are obese (…) Obesity is now called a lifestyle disease, and unfortunately, Polish children are still showing a tendency to gain weight. This means that every year more children are diagnosed with obesity , she says. She adds that she sees how few children are playing outside in the afternoons, and she finds it both sad and concerning.
I live in a really large neighborhood, and despite appearances, there are very few playgrounds around. And there are no children on these playgrounds. That’s my observation. (…) Really, there are fewer and fewer children outside
- she explains.
She reminds us of the severe consequences that obesity brings and points out that many parents often take a too-lenient approach to healthy eating. A quick glance at children's lunchboxes often reveals various sweets—candy bars, cookies, and other products full of empty calories. "Let’s encourage kids to include vegetables and fruits every day. Healthy eating also means developing other proper eating habits," @m.mamanasygnale urges.
The Number of Obese People in Poland Is Increasing
The simplest and most commonly used tool to diagnose obesity is calculating the Body Mass Index (BMI), which is based on current weight and height.
According to statistics published by the Central Statistical Office in 2021, the percentage of people with excess body weight has increased in recent years.
The main cause of overweight and obesity is a positive energy balance, meaning that the number of calories consumed exceeds the body's needs. This is related to excessive consumption of food and high-calorie drinks. Additionally, reduced physical activity due to a lack of an active lifestyle, sedentary work, and excessive use of transportation contributes to overweight and obesity , reports the District Sanitary and Epidemiological Station in Łobez.
As stated on the Ministry of Health and National Health Fund's website, factors contributing to childhood obesity often include: irregular meals, lack of physical activity, a sedentary lifestyle, high consumption of sweets, sugary drinks, and highly processed foods (ready meals, fast food).
It is important to mention that childhood obesity can lead to the development of:
- Hypertension,
- Type 2 diabetes,
- Cardiovascular diseases,
- Psychological issues,
- Insulin resistance,
- Musculoskeletal disorders,
- Dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid metabolism),
- Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,
- Asthma,
- Gallstone disease,
- Hormonal disorders.
