Increased childhood obesity in Spain: How to combat excess weight among the little ones?

The month of January is always a good time to consider, especially in terms of health and well-being to improve the quality of life.

If we do so, we should not include children and adolescents in them, focusing on aspects to improve in child nutrition and the lifestyle of children and adolescents to prevent obesity.

And that, as the doctor points out Esther Serrano Povedacoordinator of , “getting childhood and adolescence to grow in a healthy way means promoting healthy lifestyles: an active life, a healthy diet, emotional well-being and good rest habits”.

Objective of the year: combat excess weight among the little ones

But what aspects of the health of the little ones can we improve during this year 2023?

Well, the AEPaP proposes that they be purposes aimed at combating excess weight, which affects four out of ten children and three out of ten adolescents in Spain and, with similar figures, in many countries around the world.

This is reflected in the , presented by the Government in 2022, which makes measures to promote adequate food and leisure especially necessary.

The Spanish Association of Primary Care Paediatrics (AEPap), which has actively participated in the preparation of this plan, together with other scientific societies, recommends redoubling efforts, both by families and by central, regional and to achieve the goal set in this project: to reduce overweight and child and adolescent obesity in Spain by 25% over the next decade without leaving anyone behind.

“For years, in Primary Care Pediatrics we have been concerned about the evolution of excess weight in minors. From being something almost anecdotal, childhood obesity has become a problem that we see every day”, explains Dr. Serrano Poveda.

“The key to tackling this phenomenon is working with families, training them and getting them to instill correct habits in their children,” says the doctor.

Hence, pediatricians propose that these good resolutions are not only for parents, but can be implemented as a family

Excess weight affects 4 out of 10 children.

11 healthy resolutions for children and adolescents

To help families, the AEPaP has devised a campaign in which it identifies one of the changes each month, based on actions that prevent a sedentary lifestyle and promote an active lifestyle. Changes with which we can improve the health of children and adolescents, and, therefore, that of their families.

1. To start the year, pediatricians propose to learn what vitamins are and introduce them into the diet naturally, without pills. As the specialists warn, the are essential for the organism, and more in the pediatric age, since “it is a stage of marked growth where the tissues of the body are in full development and there is also a strong intellectual development.” A balanced and varied diet ensures the necessary supply of these substances.

2. Another objective for this year should be to increase the consumption of . They are rich in carbohydrates, fiber, vegetable proteins and also provide us with vitamins.

3. Family cooking. It is one of the best ways to teach children good eating habits.

4. Once stuck between stoves, pediatricians propose to make a healthy dish. It is about teaching children that the best dish is the one that, as pointed out by , includes fruit and vegetables in one of its halves, whole grains in one of its quarters, and healthy proteins in the other quarter.

5. Play in the street. According to data provided by the Spanish Association of Pediatrics (AEP), 75% of Spanish schoolchildren from 7 to 17 years of age do not engage in at least one hour of outdoor activity or play every day. Contact with the open air decreases global mortality, reduces stress, cardiovascular risk or improves night rest, among other benefits.

6. Limit screen time.

7. Sleep better and improve rest habits. “Poor quality sleep can affect the physical, emotional, cognitive and social development of children”, they indicate from the AEPaP.

8. Try, especially during the vacation months, to take a daily walk.

9. Play with the little ones. Among the benefits, playing with children and adolescents brings improvements in motor development and coordination, avoids a sedentary lifestyle, favors creativity and reduces stress.

10. You have to take more. Calcium is essential in infant nutrition.

11. More fruit and vegetables. Both breakfast and lunch, snack or dinner should include some fruit and vegetables, daily.