The child population is undoubtedly a vulnerable group as regards factors related to food, especially because they face day by day, in most cases, foods rich in sugars, sodium and fats, such as fast foods or sweets, Cookies and sodas they buy at school. Added to this availability of unhealthy foods, they are also subjected to the constant television commercials of these same products, which attract by their colors, forms, sweet taste, prizes such as toys, figurines, etc. That come together with them in order to capture their attention.
In Argentina, the prevalence of childhood obesity has grown a lot in recent years, mainly due to inadequate food intake and poor physical activity, because, on the contrary, television, computer or video games are increasing.
To be more precise According to 2010 data from the WHO Global Database on Child Growth and Malnutrition, Argentina presents the highest percentage of childhood obesity in children under five in the Latin American region with a 7, 3% prevalence. In addition, according to the World School Health Survey conducted in Argentina in the last five years, in the group of adolescents aged 13 to 15 years, overweight increased from 24.5% to 28.6% and obesity went from 4.4% to 5.9%. At present these numbers are increasing.
What can we begin to do at home to improve this situation?
- Include whole foods such as brown rice, whole wheat flour, wheat bran and oats. In addition, cereals such as rice, oats, wheat or whole wheat noodles, polenta and legumes, as these foods provide lasting energy given their abundance in complex carbohydrates or slow absorption.
- The fruits and vegetables are key to a sustainable and balanced diet. To instill these customs from infancy is a guarantee that they will perpetuate in time. Offer fruits and vegetables to children daily, encourage them to eat them by example, and strategies to get their attention how to cut them into small pieces of different colors, already peeled in a container also vivid color, with yogurt, jellies, Fruit salad, with foods they like very much.
- Take care of the size of the portions so that, they are not excessive or diminutive. It should suit your age and needs. Most fast foods come in exaggerated portions, even the advertisements show great foods. We must teach them from small to control the portion to enjoy all food.
- Give them the 4 basic meals . It is essential a good breakfast, which is a habit, it must provide the energy and nutrients necessary to start the day and keep them active and awake. Dairy, cereals and fruits may be included.
- Avoid giving them food when they are in front of the television , games or computer. The moments of feeding must be special, paying attention to what we eat.
- Encourage them to drink more water and natural juices , reducing the frequency of consumption of sodas or industrialized juices, leaving them for events or weekends.
- Remember that habits are formed from childhood and through repetition of acts over and over again, and there is no better way to teach children than by example . Let us be aware of the current reality of infant feeding and assume the commitment to improve it.