Share:
Adiposity in Adolescents As teenagers lose pounds
There are less and less fat children, but more extremely fat children. This was the result of a German study last year. Some health experts even warn against a veritable obesity epidemic. A special program at the Hannover Children's Hospital helps children and adolescents to slim down.
More and more extremely fat children in Germany
An international research team reported a few months ago that the number of children with obesity has dramatically increased in many countries around the world. In Germany, experts are worried about the increase in obesity in children. Many obese children have diseases that are usually only adults: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, lipid metabolism disorders and joint problems. Obesity can cause gout or fatty liver in childhood. In adulthood, adipose children are also more at risk of heart attack or stroke. To prevent obesity, in addition to a change in diet, which is to get by with less fat and sugar, usually also advised to do more sports for children. At the Children's Hospital Hannover, there is a special program that helps children and adolescents get rid of extra pounds.
How fat children can become thin. Image: kwanchaichaiudom - fotolia Healthier nutrition and physical activity
One of the participants in this program is David. As reported by the news agency dpa, the boy was already chubby in elementary school and was sometimes called by classmates "Rollmops". At the age of twelve, he decided to change something fundamentally: "It's easier to live in life, if you carry less kilos around with you." Since spring, he has been using the program for overweight 8- to 17-year-olds. However, these courses at the children and youth hospital Auf der Bult in Hanover should not just tumble the pounds. An important goal is to motivate the whole family for a healthier diet and exercise behavior.
Disease risk due to severe overweight
The Germans are getting heavier and heavier. More than half of adults are overweight and the trend is rising. According to data from the Robert Koch Institute (RKI), in 2007 about 15 percent of those aged between three and 17 were too fat. About six percent suffered from obesity; For the 14- to 17-year-olds it was even eight percent. Those affected not only have to endure teasing and are emotionally burdened, but have a significantly higher risk of illness. Consequences can include diabetes, postural disorders, nocturnal respiratory failure, cardiovascular disease or even cancer. In overweight, according to studies, genetic predisposition plays a major role. Researchers estimate the influence of genes at 50 to 90 percent. Therefore, some teens who consume tons of sweet drinks have only dental problems while others gain massively.
Water instead of apple juice
The Children's Hospital in Hanover has been offering the so-called kick courses for obese boys and girls for ten years. "Kick" stands for child weight intensive coaching in the hospital. The program, which runs for over a year, is certified by the Working Group on Obesity in Childhood and Adolescence. "Unfortunately far too few clinics offer certified programs," said chief physician Thomas Danne. Prerequisite for the inclusion in the program is the active membership in a sports club. Initially, there will be one or two training afternoons every week. Once a week there is a sports training with the other students. David has achieved tremendous success. Within half a year, he has lost five pounds and is now no longer considered obese, but only slightly overweight. "At home instead of apple spritzer now water and no more candy plates," said the twelve-year-old.
Education about sugar and fat content of food
The program will educate parents about the sugar and fat content of food by a dietician. This is combined with practical advice, such as replacing apple juice with water or mortadella with low-fat cooked ham. It also illustrates the sugar content of beverages. Mothers and fathers are often amazed when they hear how much unhealthy sugar is in iced tea: 28 pieces of sugar are contained in one liter. The dietician also said, "Milk is not a drink, it's a meal."
Experts call for more school sports
When it comes to obesity, the medical director of the kick program, Thomas Danne, sees responsibility not only for the individual family. "We have to make healthy living easier," says the diabetes expert. This includes a comprehensible food labeling, for example by means of a traffic light, in which the products are classified according to their sugar, fat and salt content as red, yellow or green. Some experts are already talking about an obesity epidemic. To curb these, among other things, the German Obesity Society calls for more physical education at school.
Obese children, however, often shy away from it. So also the 15-year-old Annika from Hohenhameln in the district of Peine: "I hated jogging in school earlier, now it is much better," said the tenth grader, who has already finished the kick course and has significantly decreased. Although she will never have "model measurements," she confidently declared, "I do not compete with others." She continues to do sports after completing her kick course. Recently, Annika Stand Up Paddling has tried on a floating stand up paddle board. "I was afraid that she could develop an eating disorder when losing weight," said the mother of the 15-year-olds. But her daughter had been psychologically supported. "She has not only lost weight, above all, she now radiates more." (Ad)