1/25/2018 Doctor's Appointment | Childhood obesity is a family concern | Health | Jamaica Gleaner

Mobile Apps ePaper Login Subscribe Now

Thu | Jan 25, 2018 84°F 28°C

Search

Menu »
Home Lead Stories News Sports Entertainment Business Letters Commentary Flair Health Food
World News Lifestyle In Focus Auto Social Outlook Shipping Western Focus Art & Leisure Blogs Jobs Radio

Classifieds

Mobile version
Subscribe to this feed
Join us on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter

Doctor's Appointment | Childhood Obesity Is A Family Concern

Share this Story: Recommend 31

Published: Wednesday | February 1, 2017 | 12:01 AM

Host of TV show ‘Doctor’s Appointment’, Dr Sara Lawrence (left), listens keenly as Jamaica’s only paediatric endocrinologist speaks to the cultural misconceptions related to
being overweight. He reiterated the need to have our children eat healthy foods, snack with good nutrition in mind, and how much efforts to eat right should be a family effort.

In the first of a two-part discussion on childhood obesity, we learned that this condition has been described by the World Health Organization (WHO) as one of the more
prominent public-health issues we are facing in the 21st Century. In addition, Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) concluded that the Caribbean region is on the brink of
a regional endemic.

But in a culture where being overweight is associated with good health and prosperity, as captured in endearing terms such as 'fluffy', certain eating practices and
misconceptions give way to childhood obesity. One traditional misconception is the need to give birth to fat babies or have children who grow up 'chubby' because it is seen as a
sign of good family health and an ability to provide.

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20170201/doctors-appointment-childhood-obesity-family-concern 1/5
1/25/2018 Doctor's Appointment | Childhood obesity is a family concern | Health | Jamaica Gleaner
This week's guest, Dr Leslie Gabay, Jamaica's only paediatric endocrinologist, said children usually eat based on the requirement of their body but as they get older, stipulations
are made as to when and what amount they should eat. Between 18 months and two years, they enter the 'picky eater phase' where children typically begin to shed what is
termed 'baby fat' because they grow faster than they are able to put on weight. Those who do not show signs of this normal phase, generally are expected to become overweight
or obese.

Gabay cautioned that being obese has medical concerns, including children developing type II diabetes earlier, heart disease, musculoskeletal disorders, and certain forms of
cancer.

WEIGHING IN

With children, however, it is more difficult to decide whether obesity is present. Therefore, a graph is used to assist with the determination process. Depending on the range in
which the child's body mass vitals fall, taking into consideration his or her age, a conclusion of appropriate weight, overweight or obese is drawn. A child who weighs more than
85 per cent of the population is considered overweight, those over 95 per cent are obese.

In assessing a child's weight, his or her environment, the family's history, eating patterns and relationship with food are also taken into consideration. Data shows that if one
parent is obese, it is more likely that his or her offspring will be obese also. If both parents are obese, the child is almost certain to be as well. Hereditary factors are not always
the culprit. Doctors will need to investigate hidden causes to excessive eating and ruling out self-esteem issues and other trigger factors, including eating to compensate for
stress or emotional imbalance.

Strict steps must be taken to address childhood obesity. Children will not necessarily outgrow being overweight or obese. A family approach to eating healthy is most effective
and should be taken to burn calories. Preparing meals with the children is a great way to encouraging kids to eat healthy, also parents get to spend quality time with the children.

- Join us next week on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. on TVJ when we continue with part two of this discussion. 'Doctor's Appointment' is a family and health-oriented television
programme that is produced by Maverick Communications Limited, aired exclusively on TVJ.

Share this Story: Recommend 31

«Renowned trauma surgeon from South Florida to share latest advances in the 15th Caribbean
Neurosciences Symposium
Practise healthy living habits»

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20170201/doctors-appointment-childhood-obesity-family-concern 2/5
1/25/2018 Doctor's Appointment | Childhood obesity is a family concern | Health | Jamaica Gleaner

Sponsored Links

Five Reasons Bitcoin Will Be Your Best High-Growth Investment For 2018
CryptMarkets

Trump Supporters Leave Liberal Waitress Absurd Tip, Then She Read the Note
LifeDaily.com

Flight Prices You're Not Allowed to See!

Save70.com

Play this for 1 minute and see why everyone is addicted

Vikings: Free Online Game

These 7 Tricks Will Help You To Learn A Language In 2018

Babbel

Top 10 Best Countries To Travel To Alone In 2018

Bored Articles

Comments for this thread are now closed. ×

0 Comments Jamaica-Gleaner 
1 Login

Sort by Best
 Recommend ⤤ Share

This discussion has been closed.

ALSO ON JAMAICA-GLEANER

Politicians perpetuating agri fraud - JC Hutchinson
1 comment • 15 hours ago
speak it like it is — While agriculture is good i still don't think it can
provide the jobs we need. Because we cannot provide the amount
of food we need, and the other reason is that we live in a …
Wounded but not out – surviving victim in brazen Porus
gun attack welcomed home
2 comments • 15 hours ago
Byron Blake — This is what happens when only there is no
OBJECTIVE standard for LEGAL gun ownership in Jamaica.
Regular people cant LEGALLY discretely be armed 10% of the …

King Evil’s son charged with double murder
4 comments • 15 hours ago
Toni Nash — These gunman and dem seeds need to be
eradicated from de face of the earth....Only a drag down de
country...sick of dem
'I just signed your death warrant', says judge at Ex-USA
Olympic gymnastics doctor sentencing
1 comment • a day ago
Really — I wish if our judges could make these types of decisions
and put away criminals for life with hard labour. Am I hoping for too
much?

✉ Subscribe d Add Disqus to your siteAdd DisqusAdd 🔒 Privacy

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20170201/doctors-appointment-childhood-obesity-family-concern 3/5
1/25/2018 Doctor's Appointment | Childhood obesity is a family concern | Health | Jamaica Gleaner

More Health

Email this story

Print this page

E-mail the editor

More Stories
Fit 4 Life | Breathe life into your fitness programme
'I love running' - Jamaica Moves Corporate Challenge male winner has passion to move
Healthful tips | Guzzle your water cold
Bad habits that are yellowing your teeth
Fit 4 Life | Five reasons to 5K
Healthful tips | Alcohol can make you dumb
Obesity can erode health and economic gains - Tufton
Dr Alfred Dawes | Health laws needed to address obesity epidemic
Mosquito control programme strengthened
Fit 4 Life | Ready to Run

Videos

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20170201/doctors-appointment-childhood-obesity-family-concern 4/5
1/25/2018 Doctor's Appointment | Childhood obesity is a family concern | Health | Jamaica Gleaner

Latest Blogs
Consumer Alert

WHY AE86

How About An Interfaith Prayer Breakfast

Should consumers share their bad experiences on social media

Setting Financial Goals for the New Year

Top Jobs
ELEVATOR INSTALLER
Not Specified

http://jamaica-gleaner.com/article/health/20170201/doctors-appointment-childhood-obesity-family-concern 5/5