2007 07: Battling childhood obesity

The Star online. Lifestyle. Parenting. Thursday July 5, 2007

By CHRISTINA CHIN

IT was bound to happen – the fitness fad has finally caught on among children. Modern parents are not only concerned about their children learning the ABCs and 123s at daycare centres and kindergartens, but also whether the kids are getting enough exercise.

Gone were the days when chubby children were considered cute and healthy. These days, most parents are leading healthier lifestyles and want to make sure that their children are doing the same.

Fitness instructor and daycare centre owner S.S. Jee, 28, said parents are now more conscious about obesity among children.

“They want their children to look fit and they know that regular physical activity must start at a young age.

“Since the end of last year, more and more parents are enquiring about the kind of outdoor activities and exercises we provide. This is a good sign because unhealthy food and inactivity can become hard-to-kick habits. By the time you want to shed the extra kilograms later on in life, it becomes extremely difficult,” he said.

Jee, who manages the Jolly Bean daycare centre in Green Lane, said the centre has about 15 children in its yoga, dance and aerobic classes.

“Except for weight-lifting, most adult exercises can be tailored for kids between the ages of seven and 12,” he said, adding that classes for teenagers are also conducted at the centre.

Wei Wei Beauty & Slimming Specialist founder and principal Wei Wei claimed to be among the country’s first beauty centres to introduce obesity treatment and slimming programmes for kids.

“I have been in the beauty and slimming industry for 22 years now and noticed that about 30% of my obese clients were overweight when they were young. That’s why we came up with a programme for kids.

“Obesity treatment and slimming for children are very different from adult programmes because kids are still growing,” she said, adding that the children's programme includes dietary advice, exercise and treatments that help improve blood circulation to increase metabolic rate.

“Most of the obese children we consult are between the ages of nine and 14. The response from parents has been very encouraging,” she said.

The beauty centre has 10 outlets in the northern region.

When contacted, a paediatrician Dr Koh Chong Tuan said obesity among children was on the rise.

“Parents are aware of the problem but they are still not doing enough about it. To curb obesity among children, the entire family must lead an active lifestyle which promotes regular physical activity and healthy eating habits,” he said.

A large-scale study in Peninsular Malaysia conducted by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 2000 reported that 11% of the children between the ages of six to 12 were overweight and 6% were obese. In a study of primary school children (seven to 10 years old) in almost all schools in Kuala Lumpur around the same time, about 8.4% of the children were found to be overweight.