Childhood obesity prevention: a collective responsibility

According to a UNICEF report, 30% of children and adolescents in Latin America are overweight, a figure that increasingly evidences the rising rate of overweight and obese children and adolescents, significantly amplifying the risk of serious diseases. These figures ring alarm bells and compel us to act to transform contexts that promote obesity, unhealthy habits, sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity, thereby leading to excessive eating.

Childhood obesity, a condition that can have irreversible consequences for health in the short and long term, has reached high rates, becoming a serious problem for public health and the welfare of the next generations. This is a multifactorial disease characterized by the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat in the body and is commonly identified through various tools such as body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage, waist/height ratio, and comparison of weight and height against growth patterns, which vary in children and adolescents depending on age and sex.

A healthy lifestyle is essential to prevent this public health problem. This includes consuming a balanced and varied diet, incorporating fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins. It is also essential to limit the intake of foods high in sodium, added sugars and saturated fats. In addition, physical activity should be encouraged through outdoor games, organized sports or specific exercises. Providing adequate spaces for exercise or physical activity for children is essential to discourage sedentary lifestyles. Combined with good food education practices, which involve reducing screen time — whether it be television, video games or electronic devices — these measures contribute to a healthier lifestyle.

In terms of education, it is also important to incorporate teaching strategies to mitigate obesity in children and adolescents. Parents, teachers and children should be educated about the importance of a balanced diet and the value of regular exercise. As we all know, schools play a fundamental role in providing education on healthy eating styles and encouraging healthy habits from an early age. According to the World Health Organization, it is imperative to implement educational programs that empower children to take ownership of their health by adopting lifestyles that prioritize healthy eating and physical activity.

While eating habits start at home, public policies also have a significant impact on the increase or decrease in the number of children affected by this disease. Implementing policies that promote healthy eating environments and physical activity in schools and the community in general has emerged as an alternative to mitigate cases of childhood obesity. Such measures include regulating advertising of ultra-processed foods targeting minors, promoting healthy options in school cafeterias and creating gyms and parks with free access to encourage physical activity. Many alternatives have been developed to promote healthy lifestyles from an early age, and although this remains a challenge, with the support of family members and, of course, the community, these objectives can be achieved, ensuring healthier future generations.

Failure to develop strategies to prevent the development of this disease in future generations can have serious consequences for children's quality of life. These consequences include physical health problems such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure, bone and joint problems, and psychological problems including low self-esteem and depression.

The prevention of childhood obesity requires support not only from the family but from all of society; promoting healthy habits in nutrition and physical activity among children would reduce the incidence of this issue. If you want to learn more about this topic or are interested in helping a family member or your child with a possible case of overweight or obesity, at the Pediatric Institute of HIC, you will receive guidance from experts. Contact us at (+57) 317 5168594 or write to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.