Boosting Playtime to Combat Childhood Obesity
Dr. Seyram Kaali, a Clinical Research Fellow at the Kintampo
Health Research Centre, emphasizes the importance of daily physical activity
for children to combat overweight and obesity. He recommends that children
engage in at least 60 minutes of physical activity each day to burn the calories
they consume.
Dr. Kaali identifies the frequent consumption of processed
foods and sugary beverages, coupled with a lack of physical activity, as the
primary contributors to the rising rates of childhood obesity in Ghana.
To address this issue, Dr. Kaali advocates for the
implementation of a food policy that establishes nutritional standards for
processed foods and beverages imported into Ghana. He also urges parents to
monitor their children's Body Mass Index (BMI), keep track of their weight, and
limit fatty foods in their diets.
Dr. Kaali highlights that a child's early nutrition,
particularly during the first year of life, can significantly impact their risk
of developing obesity later on. He strongly encourages new mothers to
exclusively breastfeed their babies for the first six months and to carefully
consider the types of foods they introduce thereafter.
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