Band 4+: A rise in childhood obesity is a real threat to health with an increasing number of children now classified as overweight. What are the causes of the problem and what measures can be taken to solve them?

The increasing number of obesity in children has become the center issue to be discussed about. The reasons underlying this problem are the less educated parents about nutritional food, and the weak control of the government to restrict junk food and high sugar contained drinks sold in a country.

It is irrefutable that,in the beginning of life’s development phase, children do not pick their own food so that parents will determine what is best for their offspring. Children, therefore, are getting used to consuming what is provided for them. The more the same type of food given to them, the more their bodies know it and crave for it. Unfortunately, in this case, parents mostly have no clue to give the best food because of poor knowledge in nutrition and its effect on body especially sugar intake. What they think is; their children should not be starving so that they give any type of food or drink which is delicious and sweet to their offspring. The sugar spike in early age leads to the creation of hunger sense which at the end be the main drive of obesity. The problem then is exacerbated by ignorance of routine medical control for children. This is crucial as the preventive method to tackle any deceases caused by obesity.

Besides, the role of government is vital to control the growing number of either junk food or drink outlets which are unhealthy. The weak control of government may cause public unawareness of the danger of those food and drink to the minors. Junk food and sweet drinks attract children’s attention more than vegetables and fruit, so that children are entangled with obesity problems. Government may advertise healthy lifestyle in which children be the main actor which consume healthy diet to encourage society to live healthy.

All in all, it is imperative to encourage parents to have basic knowledge in nutrition so that they can be aware the danger of unhealthy food. They also should perform medical check for their children to have early diagnose of obesity. Government’s role should take an action to save the next generation.