Childhood obesity in South Africa has been highlighted as a growing concern, with approximately 13.5% of children aged 6-14 years classified as overweight or obese. The stats, provided by the South African National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (SANHANES-1), indicate an alarming obesity reality that is perpetuated by the prevalent consumption of processed food within our societies, and the evident lack of knowledge of nutrition.

The above consequences have resulted in increasing numbers of obese children, with B-well Foods highlighting that more than 1 in 10 children are now obese.

 

Based on emerging trends, registered dietitian Dr. Monique Piderit paints a rather gloomy picture of what’s to come within our country if this issue is not addressed.

 

“It has been predicted that the current generation of children may experience a shorter life expectancy than their parents (Olshanksky et al, 2005),” she shares.

 

 

Dr. Monique Piderit further shares that a national SA study also showed that South African girls are significantly heavier than boys.

 

“Almost 2 in 10 girls are overweight and 1 in 10 are obese, and over one in ten boys are overweight and 5% are obese. Mpumalanga, KwaZulu-Natal, and Gauteng had the most obese girls while North West, Limpopo, and Eastern Cape had the least.

 

“In boys, obesity was highest in Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and Western Cape and lowest in the Northern Cape, North West, and Limpopo. (SA-NHANES, 2013) Boys who are obese at 4 – 8 years are 20 times more likely to become obese as a teen. Girls who are obese at 4 – 8 years are 42 times more likely to be obese as a teen. (Lundeen et al, 2016).”

 

She further highlights how the South African Youth Risk Behaviour Survey reported only 5 in 10 children in South Africa consume at least one serving of fruit and only 4 in 10 eat at least 1 cup of cooked vegetables. (SA-YRBS, 2011).

 

“The survey also showed that each week, 1 in 2 SA children will consume at least one sugary drink, and at least half of those children will drink two glasses at a time. For physical activity, 3 in 10 children do not participate in enough physical activity in general. Added to this, three in ten SA learners watched TV or played video/ computer games for more than three hours per day,” she shares.

 

These dire statistics are a clear indication of a poor relationship South Africans have with food/nutrition and heightens the need to change this immediately.

 

Causes of Childhood Obesity

Several factors contribute to the increasing rates of obesity among South African children:

“Many parents find that unhealthy foods have become a quicker alternative due to their convenience and availability. Busy schedules, marketing tactics, and the ease of grabbing pre-packaged items can make it tempting to choose less nutritious options.

 

 

“However, tools like the Taste Explorers Cookbook aims to show that healthy, balanced lunch boxes can also be quick and easy to prepare, providing children with the nutrients they need to thrive while fitting into the busy lives of parents. With a little planning and the right recipes, healthy lunches can be just as convenient as their less healthy counterparts,” adds Dr. Piderit. 

“With such an alarming statistic, it is clear that we face a pressing need to address the nutritional habits of our youth. Immediate intervention is essential to combat this growing concern and promote healthier lifestyles for our children,” comments Dr. Monique Piderit.