Ghana NCD Alliance moves to combat Childhood Obesity

A professor of Health Nutrition at the School of Public Health at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS), Professor Francis Zotor, has explained that childhood obesity which has become an alarming cause of worry can be prevented through nutrition education, encouraging physical activity, community and school based programmes, the introduction of aggressive policies on healthcare provision, and increased tax on sugar sweetened beverages, among others.

He said this during a webinar organized by the Ghana Non-Communicable Disease Alliance (GhNCDA) on the Theme “Combatting Childhood Obesity Through Effective front-of-Pack Labeling Policies”.

Professor Francis Zotor noted that there are 40.1 million (5.9%) overweight children globally, with an increase of about 10million since 2000 (one in every ten children under five being overweight).

He explained that childhood obesity was higher among girls (27.2%) than boys (19%) and that about 26.8% of children from private schools were obese when compared to 21.4% from public schools according to the Ganle et al, 2019 findings.

“In Accra, among school children, it was confirmed that obesity was higher in girls than in boys and the educational level of mothers have an impact on their child’s feeding than fathers,” Prof. Zotor noted.”

According to him, another study found that children from wealthier households are more inclined to enroll in private or affluent schools and therefore face greater risk of being overweight or obese as compared to children from less affluent households.

He mentioned that dietary habit, activity level, behavioral factor and status of the parents were among the causes of childhood obesity.

“Age, sex, educational level of parents or guardian, unhealthy diets, physical inactivity are factors that increase risk of childhood obesity,” Prof Zotor sighted.

He further explained that children who suffer from childhood obesity could have high risk of cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes, mental problems and healthcare cost.

A Registered Dietitian (RD) at the University of Ghana Hospital, Legon, Maxwell Bisala Konlan, on his part placed emphasis on Front-Of-Pack-Labeling (FOPL) as a key player in childhood obesity.

According to him, there is a research to show that food labeling – FOPL can reduce the risk of childhood obesity; and improve consumer knowledge for informed decisions on what to buy limiting consumers’ exposure to sugary and fatty foods.

He explained that even though not all fats are fats, high consumption of saturated and Trans fats are dangerous and can lead to Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) and High Blood Pressure.

He said children deserve to live long, learn and play in spaces where nutritious and affordable food is available for all.

“They should be protected from promotion of unhealthy foods and beverages,” he stated.

He advised parents and guardians to learn to read and understand the labeling of food products especially dates and nutritional facts.

By Gertrude Edem Amuzu