No time to lose in obesity fight
July 08, 2006
A GOVERNMENT report into childhood obesity has unearthed disturbing facts about the health of our younger generations.
After an extensive investigation, an obesity think tank has revealed children as young as three are visiting dieticians to help them deal with their weight problems.
It would seem the alarming trends towards increasing obesity in adults in our community now threatens the development of our children.
There is nothing wrong with young people having the odd treat – the occasional chocolate, cake or glass of soft drink.
Parents must take ultimate responsibility for the nutritional health and wellbeing of their children, particularly at the very young ages.
And it is up to them to make choices when and where they see fit.
However, it seems in today's time-poor society where everything comes in pre-packaged and ladened with sugar that some parents can do with a little bit of help.
But an obesity report's recommendation to ban junk food from childcare centres completely may be a little harsh.
The Health Department's plan to introduce compulsory exercise into centres in the form of more games and energetic play activities has merit.
Over the coming months a government working party will develop some guidelines in relation to the appropriate level of exercise for children between the ages of two and five.
As it currently stands, there are no guidelines in place anywhere in the country. The Health Department should be applauded for taking such steps for the benefit of our future generations.
However it is a sad indictment on our society that it has had to come to this.
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