Childhood obesity: Are we sitting on a time
bomb?
Professor J. Hans de Ridder, Ph.D.
School of Biokinetics, Recreation and Sport Science, North-West
University, Potchefstroom Campus, SOUTH AFRICA
Kruger
National P
ark
View from my office!
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 3
Introduction
Books
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 6
Statistics
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 7
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 8
StatisticsStatistics• According to WHO
there are currently 17.6 million over-weight children in the world under the age of 5.
• In 1st world countries 25 – 30% of children are overweight and 8 – 10% are obese
Statistics - USA
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 9
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 10
Statistics Statistics –– South AfricaSouth Africa• South Africa: In 6-13
year old children, 10.9% of boys and 17.5% of girls are overweight and
• 2.4% of boys and 4.8% of girls are obese
(Armstrong, 2006)
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 11
Childhood ObesityChildhood Obesity
• Research shows that a child has an 80% chance of becoming obese if both parents are obese
• “Simply stated, a child generally does not grow out of an obesity problem”
Definition
Definition of obesity
• The WHO defines obesity as a disease in which excess body fat has accumulated to such an extent that health may be adversely affected
• Obesity is a complex disease with both genetic and environ-mental components
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 13
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 14
CausesCauses• Sedentary life style –
little or no exercise• Urbanisation – social
and cultural disruption• Unhealthy diet – lots
of fast food• Safety• Broken homes and/or
working parents• Internet generation
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 15
CausesCauses• USA: 44.9% children
ages 6-17 years, 2 or more hours of screen time per day (TV, videos, computer games etc.)
• South Africa: Study by (Pienaar et al., 2005) –children more than 4 hours/day TV:
ConsequencesConsequences
• Lack of physical activity - degeneration of human body which leads to illness
• Social grounds, obese children are discriminated against
• Can lead to:– depression – aggression – self-pity & even
suicide
ConsequencesConsequences
• Obese children are also more prone to developing conditions like:– Asthma– Flat feet– Joint pains
• Due to their excess weight
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 17
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 18
ConsequencesConsequences• Furthermore Obese
children also experience:– Developmental
deficiencies– Learning problems– Health problems– Social problems
• Childhood obesity threat to public health.
• Negative health conse-quences during child-and adulthood
• Are we sitting on a time bomb?
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 19
The role of Physical Activity
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 21
Role of Physical Activity
• PA is very important from a young age
• Treat overweight and obesity with physical activity (cornerstone) and healthy eating habits
• Instant diets and diet pills can retard growth and should be avoided
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 22
Role of Physical Activity
• PA prevents the decrease of metabolic speed
• PA leads to an increase in lean body mass
• PA serves as an outlet for depression, aggression and stress
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 23
Role of Physical Activity
• All children must have access to sport and PA
• Sport is not only there for the few top performers!
• Children should enjoy it and must be able to socialise
• Child must be stimulated so that they want to maintain an active lifestyle
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 24
What motivates South Africans to participate in sport?
HSRC Survey, 2005 (SRSA)
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 25
“Sport and physical activity at school level plays a vital
role if healthy living becomes a lifestyle choice
or not.”
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 26
Role of Physical Activity• Adults must
remember:You lead by example.
• “Your deeds speak so loud, I cannot hear what you are saying!!”
Revitalizing Health & Physical Education Trough Technology
Grundy Center, Iowa USA
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 29
Nelson Mandela Children ’s Fund
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 30
Professor J. Hans de Ridder 31
Thank you !!Thank you !!
De Ridder Family, April 2008