How to keep children healthy

High prevalence of childhood obesity in the GCC is keeping parents and health officials worried. While experts advise parents to focus on eating well and exercising to keep their children healthy, morbidly obese kids have the option of undergoing bariatric surgery only after meeting certain criteria.

Health authorities in the GCC, however, are approaching the issue of bariatric surgery in children with caution despite the procedure being carried out in countries such as the US where obesity is a major health issue.

Childhood obesity can lead to hypertension, type 2 diabetes, orthopaedic complications, sleep apnoea and psychosocial difficulties. It can also cause abnormal amount of cholesterol and fat in the blood, leading to heart and liver disease.

How to keep children healthy

1. Children should be provided healthy foods from a young age and fast-foods should be limited.

2. Children and teens should never be placed on a weight reduction diet without the consultation of a healthcare provider.

3. Parents should cut out the unhealthy fats and sweets and they should prepare their children's favourite meals in a healthier manner.

4. Parents should cut out juices and other unnecessary sources of sugar from their children's diet and they should replace it with complex carbohydrates and natural sugars.

5. They should provide children lean sources of meat and limit portion sizes.

6. Children's lunch boxes should have healthy nutritious meals.

7. Parents need to adopt a healthy lifestyle because children mirror what they see.