Young people are increasingly overweight: ‘It’s not just because of the parents’

by time news

More and more young people are overweight and obese. A major problem that is not easily solved, says professor and pediatrician Anita Vreugdenhil. “Everyone who plays a role in a child’s life should help,” explains the professor.

Young people between the ages of 13 and 17 will soon be able to undergo a stomach reduction at the Máxima Medical Center in Veldhoven. These are young people for whom everything has already been tried to tackle the overweight, but without results.

The number of young people who are seriously overweight has been increasing for years. According to pediatrician and professor Vreugdenhil, about half a million children in the Netherlands are now overweight or obese. “You also see a shift from overweight to obesity: more and more children have severe forms of obesity.”

There are several reasons for this. Vreugdenhil cites the corona period as an example. “We have seen in studies that the lifestyle of children has deteriorated enormously during that period. The consequences are major, especially in the group that was already overweight.”

“Young people with obesity are in the early stages of chronic diseases.”

When it comes to lifestyle, you should think about healthy eating and enough exercise. Children don’t do that enough, sees the pediatrician and professor.

“According to the exercise guideline, you should exercise moderately intensively for one hour a day. Before the corona period, about 60 percent of the children achieved that. This has now fallen to 20 percent. You can also see it reflected in sports clubs, for example: they are in the corona period lost children and they will not come back.”

The doctor calls the fact that the number of overweight young people is increasing a huge problem. For example, there is a high chance that this group will develop a chronic illness in adulthood. “Think of diabetes, cardiovascular disease, liver disease and cancer. That is worrying.”

“More should be done to prevent children from becoming so heavy.”

What is needed to turn the tide? According to Vreugdenhil, this responsibility does not lie solely with the parents. “It helps enormously to improve the lifestyle of children together with parents, but it must also be done in other places. Think of schools, sports canteens, supermarkets, TV commercials. Everyone who plays a role in a child’s life has you need this. Parents don’t make it alone.”

Measures are also needed from the government. “As a society, we must prevent children from becoming overweight. A lot is still needed for that. Think of the prices of healthy food in the supermarket and the costs of sports clubs.”

Things are already moving in the right direction, says Vreugdenhil. “For example, some schools have a healthy school policy, where children are more active and receive a healthy lunch. So there are developments in the right direction, but it is too slow.”

READ ALSO: Young people who are seriously overweight can now also have stomach reduction

You may also like

Leave a Comment