Article written by Second Year Diploma Nursing Gozitan Students – Antonella Borg, Nicole Attard, Marvic Saliba, Luke Theuma.

“Childhood obesity is one of the most critical Maltese health issue. In 2010 Malta had among the worst child obesity rates in Europe. Moreover, according to a research conducted in 2013 it was discovered that Maltese kids were the second most overweight and obese in Europe especially between ages of 10 and 11 years. This shows the urgent need to identify the causes and ways to tackle childhood obesity in Malta.

Obesity is a solvable issue and is easier to accomplish if it is caught and controlled at an early stage. Furthermore, in many cases no medical approach is required but a better lifestyle that is a well-balanced diet and by performing more physical exercise.

If uncontrolled, obesity can become a serious medical condition that may lead to other more harsh health related problems. It is characterised as having excessive amount of body fat in relation to the body muscular density. In more medical terms, obesity is caused by an imbalance between energy intake and energy expenditure.

Body mass index (BMI) is an outcome measure to determine obesity by dividing body weight by height squared (kg/m2). Childhood obesity is interpreted as a BMI at or above 95th percentile. Those that are between the 85th and 95th percentile are considered at a risk of becoming overweight/obese.

Factors which highly influence obesity include: genetics, behavioural, and environmental. Certain genetic factors may lead to obesity in children and maximise the child’s liability for obesity. Metabolism may also be influenced by genetic factors. In addition, obesity can also be heritable from parents to children and therefore by taking action from early signs and by trying to avoid obesity by natural means that is by performing physical activities and control food consumption would be of a benefit to the child.

Behavioural factors which may lead to obesity are: poor diet, lack of physical activity and a sedentary lifestyle especially in modern days where everything is controlled by digital means and less physical movement is required or needed. These behavioural factors are in a vicious cycle with one leading to another.

Another factor that has an impact promoting obesity in children is the environment. Environmental factors are those that surround the children and these factors are seen in different settings such as at home, in school and in the community.

Health related problems are linked to obesity in children but these health problems are not only physically but also psychologically and socially.

Childhood obesity increases the risk of having cardiovascular diseases, high blood pressure, increased cholesterol levels, type 2 diabetes, respiratory problems such as asthma, shortness of breath, sleep apnea etc…,musculoskeletal problems and liver problems such as hepatic steatosis.

Children who are obese tend to have a negative body image which in turn leads to a low self-esteem (children feel depressed and nervous) and a negative effect on their behaviour. Furthermore, this may also impose negatively on their academic and social development (children feel socially segregated and stigmatised by their peers).

The complications mentioned above are severe and could eventually effect the health of a child even in adulthood. Therefore, there’s a need to address this problem at every possible step through adequate interventions and motivational strategies. Governments, communities, schools and parents can cooperate in the prevention and management of obesity.

A strong format in the behavioural molding of the child is family bonding since the family can have an impact on the child’s behaviour and lifestyle thus effective interventions in a family ambiance can be a favourable way to change the child’s behaviour on poor diet and lack of physical exercise. It is of utmost importance that parents are conscious enough on the risks the child is confronting due to obesity and to take preventive measures so as to manage the problem.

In addition, both the school and the community also play an important part in the life of the child so as to adopt a healthier lifestyle. Schools can encourage children by promoting physical educational skills and healthy nutrition as can the community but the latter plays a very essential role since the community can organise social events with healthy foods, physical activity based programs, providing accessible facilities etc…

Moreover, the community can have an impact on the media by stimulating healthy educational programs/preventive programs to educate parents and children so as to become more aware on childhood obesity.

Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health crisis both nationally and internationally. This problem can be minimised by educating children and parents about the importance of a balanced diet and the importance of being physically active.

Effective measures and governmental policies are available for the prevention and management of childhood obesity so as to help children endorse a healthier behaviour throughout their life which leads to a healthier life style in the future.

The children of today are the future of tomorrow therefore by changing the course of this growing epidemic by sustainable interventions would be a huge impact for a better tomorrow.”

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