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Junk Food and Child Obesity

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Junk Food and Child Obesity
Jaya Sinha

Childhood obesity has become a prominent health issue in developed countries and has now gained access in the developing world as well. Secular trends indicate increasing prevalence rates of childhood obesity in India, from 9.8% (2006) to 11.7% (2009). Similar increase can be seen in other developing countries; 4.1% (1974) to 13.9% (1997) in Brazil and from 12.2% (1991) to 15.6% (1993) in Thailand. Important determinants of childhood obesity include poor dietary habits, sedentary lifestyle, high socioeconomic status, unawareness and false beliefs about nutrition, marketing by transnational food companies, increasing academic stress, and poor facilities for physical activity. Obesity among children has medical as well as psychosocial impact leading to huge economic impact on the individual family, health sector as well as the country. Successful prevention/reduction and management of childhood obesity requires a multilevel approach involving the family, school, peer group, government and the society as a whole.

Introduction

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions globally and its prevalence has doubled in the last two decades (1). Over the last 5 years, most developing countries have reported prevalence rates of obesity (inclusive of overweight) > 15% in children and adolescents aged 5–19 year (2–4). Childhood obesity is increasing at an alarming pace in India, giving rise to adult diseases in youth, like high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), heart disease and osteoporosis.

Junk food kills bacteria that protect against obesity, heart disease and cancer, study finds
Strong link between good bacteria, diet and overall health discovered after researchers lived on McDonald's meals for 10 days straight .

Eating junk food kills stomach bacteria which protect against obesity, diabetes, cancer, heart

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