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Increasingly common overweight in children
According to international studies, the number of obese children has increased dramatically. Heavy obesity can lead to a variety of diseases. Obesity in childhood and adolescence should therefore under no circumstances be underestimated.
Dangerous health consequences
According to current OECD figures, more and more obese people are living in Germany. Many children and adolescents are far too fat. Bavaria's Health Minister Melanie Huml has now warned against underestimating the risks of being overweight children. In a statement on the occasion of the European Obesity Day on May 20, she said: "Baby fat and bundles of kilos are not always harmless: Adiposity in childhood and adolescence can have dangerous health consequences."
Bavaria's Health Minister Huml has warned against underestimating a strong overweight in children. Obesity in childhood and adolescence can cause a variety of diseases. (Image: kwanchaichaiudom / fotolia.com) Mental problems and sequelae
"Even in adolescence, a strong overweight can lead to hypertension, diabetes, liver damage, metabolic disorders or joint problems," said the CSU minister.
"There are also massive emotional problems," said Huml. "The longer the overweight, the more likely it is that complications occur."
According to experts, adiposity at a later age can lead to cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, diabetes and asthma.
Parents should be role models for children
As a rule, a change in lifestyle is to be considered in cases of severe obesity. Quite essential is more exercise for children against obesity. But exercise alone does not help against overweight.
Also important is a balanced diet with little fat and little sugar. Instead of ready meals and fast food, the food should rather be prepared with fresh ingredients. Homemade food tastes best anyway.
In addition, parents should lead their children by example. The Bavarian Minister of Health also sees this as follows: "Healthy nutrition and enjoyment of exercise must be demonstrated to a child - ideally, the whole family participates! For a healthy body weight, an active lifestyle with balanced nutrition and lots of exercise is crucial, "said Huml.
Number of severely overweight first graders decline
In Bavaria, the number of severely overweight first graders has dropped. According to preliminary data, 3,276 children (3.2 percent) were affected by severe obesity in the school entrance examinations for the 2014/15 school year. In the previous year, there were 3,326 children (3.3 percent).
Including in the evaluation of the number of children with a slight overweight, so in the school year 2014/15 a total of 8,539 first graders (8.3 percent) were overweight in the Free State. A year earlier, this figure was still at 8,635 (8.5 percent). (Ad)