2024-07-30 05:52:45
In its approach, the nutritional composition of foods and their frequency of use must be analyzed.
In Spain, half of adults are overweight or obese, although the most worrying figures are those shown by the children’s panorama. One in three Spanish children between the ages of eight and 16 is overweight than recommended, a situation that makes Spain one of the European countries with the highest prevalence of childhood obesity. and obesity.
Childhood obesity is a complex problem, the consequences of which can affect children and adolescents on a physical, mental and social level. Childhood obesity is associated with an increased risk of developing diseases such as cancer, respiratory problems and cardiovascular diseases from childhood. At the mental health level, it can cause personal problems, depression and anxiety, facing possible social exclusion. Obesity is a multifactorial disease, influenced by diet, physical activity, rest, stress, certain medical conditions, genetics and other circumstances. In recent years, a sedentary lifestyle and excessive use of screens have contributed significantly to the increase in obesity in children and adolescents, along with the lack of parental time.
Importance of daily food
To deal with this problem, special attention must be paid to food, not only considering the nutritional composition of foods, looking at those with high salt, fat or sugar content, but also the dosage. A study by researcher Jesús Rodríguez Huertas, from the University of Granada, on the use of added sugars in Spanish children between 9 and 12 years old concluded that the main sources of daily sugar intake are cookies (13.3%), cocoa powder (11.11%) ), sweet yogurts (9.9%) and dairy products (8.6%). At the bottom of this ranking, soft drinks appear as one of the products with the least contribution to sugar intake.
These results are in line with data from the ALADINO 2019 study in Spain, which indicates that dairy products, including drinking yogurts or fermented milks, are the most consumed: 27% of the child population eats them daily . They are followed by nectars, smoothies and vegetable drinks, because three percent of children eat them every day. And after them, soft drinks, with a daily consumption of one percent. Another important thing is to let the parents know the truth and importance of the problem. According to the same ALADINO study, 80% of parents perceive their children’s overweight or obesity as healthy. Parents are the most important for the daily food of children, including schools and preschools, so their involvement and knowledge is the key to inculcate good eating habits from childhood. LC
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