Nutritionist on childhood obesity

SKĐS - Childhood obesity is a common disease that is on the rise. The disease increases the risk of early puberty and other dangerous diseases such as sleep apnea, chronic diabetes, high blood pressure, etc.

Nowadays, the problem of overweight and obesity is gradually becoming a challenge for the community.

Health & Life Newspaper would like to introduce Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung, Director of the Center for Nutritional Rehabilitation and Obesity Control, National Institute of Nutrition, to answer these questions.

Question: Doctor, the number of obese children is on the rise. What is your assessment of this situation in Vietnam?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : In fact, the rate of overweight and obese children in Vietnam is increasing rapidly, especially in urban areas. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health , in the past 10 years, the obesity rate in children aged 5-19 has doubled (from 8.5% in 2010 to 19.0% in 2020), in which many cases of children were obese very early, right from preschool age.

Question: What are the main causes of obesity in children? What is the role of nutrition in this issue?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung, Director of the Center for Nutritional Counseling, Rehabilitation and Obesity Control, National Institute of Nutrition

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Obesity in children is often the result of an imbalance between calorie intake and expenditure. Common causes are a diet with excess fat, sugar, fast food, and regular consumption of soft drinks; accompanied by a sedentary lifestyle. Among the factors, improper nutrition is the main cause of obesity in young children.

Question: What are the signs that a child is overweight or obese that parents should pay attention to?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Children who gain weight abnormally compared to their height and age, have a large waist, a thick layer of fat in the abdomen, neck, biceps, thighs; black thorns in the neck, armpits... are warning signs. Children move slowly because their bodies have too much fat, and often feel hungry, crave food, and eat a lot. In addition, children are often tired, have shortness of breath, snore or sweat a lot... when doing light exercise are also notable signs. Parents should take their children to see a nutritionist to be assessed according to the Growth Standard or BMI (body mass index) to determine whether the child is overweight or obese; and can be assessed in depth for body fat or micronutrient deficiencies.

Question: What are the current and future health consequences of childhood obesity?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Childhood obesity is associated with a higher risk of premature death and disability in adulthood. Overweight and obese children are more likely to remain obese as adults and suffer from non-communicable diseases at a younger age such as: high blood pressure, dyslipidemia, diabetes, fatty liver, sleep disorders, and even psychological effects, low self-esteem, depression...

Practical nutrition guide for mothers with young children.

Question: In the treatment of childhood obesity, what role does nutrition play compared to exercise and lifestyle habits?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Nutrition is the key factor. Changing to a suitable diet is the first, basic, long-term and most important step in obesity treatment intervention. However, it is necessary to combine it with lifestyle changes - including increasing physical activity, reducing long sitting time (watching TV, playing on the phone), and getting enough sleep. Effective treatment is when the whole family works together, creating a healthy environment for children.

Q: Can you suggest a healthy sample menu for a child who is in the weight control phase?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : An ideal menu should ensure enough energy to both lose weight and maintain normal activities and development for children. The diet should be rich in fiber (green vegetables, fresh fruit), lean protein (shrimp, crab, fish, white meat, tofu, etc.), good starch (brown rice, sweet potatoes, etc.), limit fat, sugar and fast food. Limit children's snacks and sugary drinks.

Example: Menu for primary school students:

• Breakfast: Beef noodle soup (noodles: 120g; beef: 40g; bone broth; green onions).

• Lunch: 2 bowls of rice (100g of rice); boiled pork (lean loin: 50g); spinach salad (spinach: 60g); green cabbage soup (green cabbage: 100g); vegetable oil/fat: 5g (whole meal).

• Afternoon: 1 glass of milk or 1 box of yogurt suitable for age.

• Dinner: 2 bowls of rice (100g of rice); steamed shrimp (50g of shrimp); cinnamon sausage (20g of cinnamon sausage); boiled chayote (100g of chayote).

It is important that the portion size is calculated to suit the age, gender and obesity level of each child.

Q: How can parents differentiate between "chubby" growth and obesity?

Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Many parents confuse healthy fat with obesity. Obese children have more fat accumulated than normal, not only under the skin but also in the internal organs. Accurate diagnosis must be based on the growth standards of the World Health Organization (WHO) or the BMI index and other specialized methods. Emotional assessment can easily lead to subjectivity or neglect, missing out on early intervention stages for children.

Question: What mistakes do parents often make when helping their children lose weight?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Common mistakes are cutting down on food portions too much, causing children to lack nutrients, skipping breakfast, or forcing children to exercise too hard. In addition, many people still let their children continue to snack, drink soft drinks, or "reward" them with food when they are good. All of these things are counterproductive. Adjustments must be made in a timely manner and under the supervision of experts.

Question: When is the golden time to prevent obesity in children?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : Prevention should start very early, right from when children start eating solid foods. Preschool age (3-5 years old) is the golden time to form healthy eating habits and regular exercise. Parents should avoid forcing children to eat, feed them according to their physiological needs, and create a positive eating environment in the family.

Question: What message do you want to convey to parents who are worried about their children being overweight?

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Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Trong Hung : The most important thing is not to wait until your child is obese to start worrying. Be proactive in monitoring your child's weight and height regularly. If you see signs of being overweight, you should consult a nutritionist as soon as possible. The adjustment process requires perseverance, companionship and absolutely no extreme measures.

Source: https://suckhoedoisong.vn/bac-si-tu-dinh-duong-ve-tinh-trang-beo-phi-o-tre-em-169251127175254563.htm