Children should engage in physical exercise for at least 60 minutes a day, according to Dr. Seyram Kaali, a Clinical Research Fellow at the Kintampo Health Research Centre, for them to burn off the calories they eat.
More playtime would help burn calories and lower overweight and obesity, he told the Ghana News Agency.
He claimed that the rise in overweight and obese children in low- and middle-income nations had turned childhood obesity—which was once a threat in high-income countries—into a global pandemic.
According to Dr. Kaali, the main factors contributing to overweight and obesity in Ghana are children’s lack of physical activity and the country’s heavy consumption of processed canned foods and beverages that are rich in sugar and salt but have little nutritious value.
“Obesity and overweight generally occur when an individual eats an unbalanced diet with more calories and does not engage in exercises to expend the calories,” he said.
According to the World Health Organization, sedentary lifestyles, a lack of physical activity, and a diet heavy in processed foods are the main causes of overweight and obesity, which are becoming an increasing global threat to children’s health.
According to the report, around 40 million children under the age of five are overweight or obese worldwide. These illnesses have the potential to cause a lifetime of ailments, including some of the leading causes of death worldwide, including diabetes, heart disease, and cancer.
Dr. Kaali emphasized the necessity of bringing back physical education (PE) and making it required in schools.
To establish guidelines for the nutritional value of processed foods and canned beverages brought into the nation, he urged for the creation of a food policy.
To shield their children from future health issues, he advised parents to be aware of their children’s Body Mass Index (BMI), keep an eye on their weight, and limit their intake of fatty foods.
To encourage kids to drink more water and consume less high-calorie items, Dr. Kaali counseled parents to also increase the quantities of fruits and vegetables in their diet.
