Alarming: Junk food is shortening lives of children worldwide

3.5 million Children Now Victim of type 2 diabetes

Changing lifestyle and food habits in last few decades are found to be responsible for crippling diseases like type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure among children. Data revealed that infant formula, Junk food, and sugary drinks are impacting negatively on children's health around the world. Millions of children are now victims of  type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure previously seen only in adults.

According to a report by World Obesity Federation, more than 3.5 million children now have type 2 diabetes, which was once unknown in this age group. These diseases can lead to horrible complications in later life, such as amputations and blindness. The World Obesity Federation, which compiled the data, predicted that number would rise to 4.1 million by 2025.

About 13.5 million children in the world have impaired glucose tolerance, which can lead to diabetes. Around 24 million have high blood pressure and more than 33 million have the fatty liver disease as a result of obesity, which is more often associated with alcoholism and can lead to liver cancer.

Changes in our lifestyle are also responsible for this horrible scenario. For instance, in last few decades, infant formula has replaced breastfeeding in developing world due to heavy marketing by multinationals. It is the single most significant factor that contributes to obesity. Another agent for this change is fast food culture.

The experts predict that the world will miss the UN target to stop the rise of childhood obesity by 2025.

One of the highest child obesity rates are found in Egypt,  with more than a third (35.5%) of children aged five to 17 were overweight or obese in 2013 – Greece (31.4%), Saudi Arabia (30.5%), the United States (29.3%), Mexico (28.9%) and the UK (27.7%).

If the governments are serious in reversing these changes they need to improve awareness among the masses using electronic. Print and social media and school curriculums.

Mediabites -Tazeen Hasan

Published on Octobar 14, 2016