Australia, US the most overweight

Australians are now equal with Americans as the most overweight people in the world, with a new study showing that the rate of obesity in Australia has more than doubled in the past 20 years. And, for the first time, excess weight has been conclusively linked to television watching, finding that even physically active people are at greater risk of obesity if they spend long periods of time in front of the television.

The study of more than 11,000 Australian adults aged 25 and older, published in yesterday's Medical Journal of Australia, found that almost 60 per cent are overweight or obese. Among young people, obesity is less prevalent in women than men, but women showed a more rapid rise in their body mass index (calculated by dividing weight in kilograms by height in meters squared) and higher rates of obesity by the 35 to 44 age group. People with a BMI of 25 to 30 are considered overweight, while those with a BMI over 30 are considered obese.

Third of primary pupils are overweight:

Alarming research has found that almost a third of all primary school students are overweight. Three separate studies now show that a much-cited claim based on 1995 research that 20 to 25 per cent of children are overweight is out of date, with Australian children stacking on kilos at an unprecedented rate.

A survey of 1000 children from Colac, in western Victoria, shows that, overall, 27 per cent of primary students are overweight or obese, but among girls the rate is 31 per cent. The study found that overeating was already a serious problem among kindergarten children, with 30 per cent of four-year-olds carrying too much excess weight. A survey of Newcastle children aged nine to 13 found almost identical weight patterns to the Victorian children.

Overweight child

Sadly, overweight children suffer the same stigma as adults do when it comes to being overweight — so it comes as no surprise that you're worried. Unfortunately, parents' concerns that their child is suffering emotionally and physically can cause some to panic — with many putting their child on a diet or drawing unnecessary attention to their weight and eating behavior. These tactics only fuel a child's emotional pain and often exacerbate the weight problem.

No matter how concerned you are about your child's weight, children should never be taught to diet, count kilojoules or analyze food in an unnatural way. Aim for weight maintenance or a slowing of weight gain, rather than weight loss. This gives your child time to grow to a desirable weight. You will achieve the best long-term results by following an integrated approach of healthy eating, exercise and modification of your child 's eating behavior and environment.

Aim to involve the whole family in healthy, low-fat eating and exercise. Don't marginalize your child and make them feel as though they have a problem. By doing so you may be creating future self-esteem, body and food obsessions.

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