OVERWEIGHT & OBESITY

When it comes to obesity, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Medical experts now view obesity as a chronic condition that is remarkably resistant to treatment, but believe that high obesity rates may be attributed to a sedentary lifestyle and too much snacking.
Ironically, while the importance of physical activity is gaining momentum in the scientific and public health communities, a majority of Gibraltarians remain as sedentary as ever. What can we do to help us "get moving"?

Read on for that answer.

OBESITY IN THE YOUNG IS A GLOBAL PROBLEM

It's official - A population survey was carried out in children aged 4-12 years in Gibraltar to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity. Out of 3034 children attending infant, middle and primary schools, 19.8% were obese!

How can we stop it?
The first problem with obesity in children and teenagers is that it's harder to pinpoint than in adults (anything over a Body Mass Index of 25). Growth spurts and different rates of development have to be considered, so it's left to the doctor to rely on their instinct to judge whether a child is obese.

What are the causes?
It's true that genetics can cause obesity in some children - those with parents, brothers or sisters who are overweight may be at an increased risk of becoming overweight themselves. However, not all children with a family history of obesity will be overweight - proving that genetics only increase the likelihood of weight problems. But for the majority of children, a combination of diet, environment and lifestyle is to blame.
As a nation, we are eating fewer calories than ever but doing less exercise - and watching TV makes children so relaxed that they actually use less energy than the basic metabolic rate! When you look at our children's lifestyle today, it's not hard to see where else the problems lie - we drive them to school (because of safety fears); ready-to-eat snacks are a big part of their diet, and video games and the Internet encourage laziness and inactivity.

Health risks
The biggest health worry for overweight children is heart disease, caused by high cholesterol and high blood pressure. And if the problem isn't tackled early, the risks are carried into adulthood. Obesity is also closely linked with diabetes, breathing problems or asthma, and the risk that they will develop various orthopaedic (bone-related) problems - like hip and knee joint changes.
How can I manage my weight?
It's not always easy to admit that you are seriously overweight if you have a problem yourself. But it's important to be honest - talk things through with your doctor, who will be able to help you to tackle the problem. But here are some ideas you can try out yourself:

• Never place yourself on a restrictive diet to lose weight - unless your doctor thinks there is a medical reason to do so - as limiting what you may eat may be harmful to your health and interfere with your normal growth and development. It's more important to concentrate on healthy eating with reduced calorific intake - the main aim for an obese person should be weight maintenance, rather than weight-loss.
  
• Set realistic targets for yourself - if adults find it hard to stick to too many rules, think about how you will find it!
  
• If the whole family could do with tackling their weight, don't make dramatic, sweeping changes to mealtimes. Building up lots of small changes will do the trick.
  
• Switch off the TV or computer, get out there and exercise!