家长需注意孩子的肥胖问题

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Childhood overweight and obesity have risen to a point that it can be considered a modern day epidemic. A newly-released report suggests one out of 13 overweight children worldwide is from China. What makes children overweight? And how could we help them lose weight?

Reporter: According to a survey by the International Obesity Task Force for the World Health Organization, over 155 million kids, or 10% of the world's children, are classified as overweight and between 30-45 million as obese. Meanwhile a Chinese report says about 12 million children are overweight in the country, which means one out of 13 overweight children is from China. A survey shows the principal causes of overweight among children are a sedentary lifestyle and fatty foods.

"I like hamburgers, so do my friends." (child A)

"After meals I seldom take exercises. I just work on the homework." (child B)

"There is little time for me to take exercises. Maybe one hour every day." (child C)

The heavy study load and the prevalence of TV, computers and family car all result in less outdoor activities for children. According to the survey, nearly 70% of Chinese children are not doing enough exercises. Only 4.7% of children between 6-12 frequently took part in physical exercise. And the rate is about 8.1% among children between 13-17. The increasing number of overweight and obese children has sounded a warning alarm for parents, schools and the society.

Ma Guansheng is an expert with the Chinese Association for Student Nutrition & Health Promotion. He notes parents should provide their children with a healthy diet so as to help them keep fit.

"We should restrict their consumption of animal products, and keep the traditional food consumption pattern which is grain-dominated. Now many children like sugar-containing drinks, which also results in overweight and obesity."

Experts also suggest at least one hour of physical exercises should be ensured every day for children to keep fit.