One of the Severe Impacts of Lockdowns on Children

Now it's proven: Zoom classes, lack of physical activity, and excessive eating have led to an increase in obesity cases among children during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

The Health Council in Britain is closely monitoring alarming levels of obesity among children in the county of Wales. Following the data collected, the Health Council decided to establish a unit to address and combat childhood obesity. The data showed that 30.3% of four and five-year-olds in North Wales were measured with overweight or excess fat, while the average in Wales is 26.4%. Pediatricians fear the situation may worsen due to the pandemic.

COVID-19 has far-reaching damages beyond just the risk of viral infection. Children and teenagers who struggled with obesity before the pandemic were placed in a stressful isolation environment, making it harder to maintain healthy lifestyle habits. Returning to routine will be significantly tougher for these children and teens.

How does obesity affect children's health?

The obesity rates among children have been concerning in recent years: many issues typically associated with adult health are now appearing in children, even in primary school ages. We are seeing medical problems today in children that were previously almost exclusive to adults, like high blood pressure, the development of pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes, and respiratory issues due to obesity.

A 15-year-old girl recently came to my clinic and shared that she had gained 20 kilograms over the last two years. From being an active and social child, she became a girl who stays home all day. She communicates with her friends via phone and they hardly meet. She doesn't go out after returning from school. During the COVID-19 period, she learnt via Zoom, had irregular eating, stayed awake at night and slept during the day, barely seeing her parents. She got used to eating in front of the computer. During this time, she did not engage in any physical activity, and now she finds it very difficult to even think of any physical activity she would want to do. Additionally, she is now embarrassed about her body and doesn’t want to engage in physical activity where others can see her. I've heard similar stories many times in the past year from children and teenagers. It's important for me to tell them they're not alone. This lifestyle change affected almost all of us.

How to reduce obesity in children?

Recently, the Ministry of Health approved the weight loss injection "Saxenda" for use by teenagers, as part of the effort to combat obesity among children and adolescents. The injection enhances the feeling of fullness over time and leads to an average weight reduction of about 11% in adults who used it. The approval of the drug by the Israeli Ministry of Health is certainly important, but it is far from being the ultimate solution. It is important to adopt a healthy lifestyle and a calculated approach to dealing with this serious phenomenon, which primarily includes adults setting an example for children. Considering treatment with Saxenda is possible, but for the medication to really help, it should be done under medical and nutritional monitoring and include incorporating routine physical activity into daily life.

Recommendations for preventing obesity in children

The habits we instill in our children during childhood will accompany them throughout their lives. We are obliged to equip children with healthy lifestyle habits that will accompany them into adulthood.

1. Order less takeout - When parents work from home and children are glued to screens in isolation, with reduced social meetings and afternoon activities, the quick solution for a speedy meal was takeout. In many cases, we do not know what the food contains and it may be loaded with problematic food components like fats and sugars.
2. Engage in family physical activities - When adults lead a sporty lifestyle, they set an example for children to engage in physical activity and adopt a routine of healthy physical activities. Creating joint physical activities for the whole family will generate an educational atmosphere for the household to embrace physical activity as part of life and enjoy it together. Any physical activity is good, such as walking together in the neighborhood while discussing daily matters...
3. Eat healthy baked goods – Foods based on dough, white bread, and a variety of foods containing many carbohydrates are often not nutritious and contribute nothing but calories. Adopt a healthier lifestyle with kids and get them used to eating healthy breads rich in complex carbohydrates. More whole flour, flaxseed, and almonds, which are rich in nutritional values.
4. Less snacks and more fruits and vegetables – Snacks contain a lot of sugar and salt. These contribute to the taste children love. Place cut fruits and vegetables on the table all the time so they eat and get used to their taste. Fruits and vegetables contain essential vitamins for your children's development. Moreover, almonds and nuts are known to help balance sugar levels and reduce the risk of overweight.
5. Water instead of sugary drinks – One of the factors for obesity in children is sugary drinks that contain a lot of calories. One can of cola has about 140 calories, equivalent to 7 teaspoons of sugar! Encourage children to drink only water.
6. Eat family meals – Family meals around the table allow your children to eat nutritious and healthy food. Make sure to do this at set times and create a balanced menu rich in proteins. Snacking throughout the day leads to weight gain and weight problems. Explain to children that there is no need to eat after dinner.
7. More outdoor play – Addiction to screens from a young age poses a risk not only for the content your children may be exposed to at a young age but also to inactivity, lack of movement, and prolonged lying or sitting. Sports games, climbing, swimming, and even joint living room dances to release energy and burn calories will contribute to your children's healthy development.
8. Regular meals – Get children used to eating breakfast before leaving the house. It is also important to keep regular and nutritious meals during the day.
9. Ensure proper sleep and "sleep hygiene" – Ask children not to use their smartphones in bed before falling asleep. If possible, leave phones outside the bedroom. It is important to create a quiet and dark environment before going to sleep.

Finally, it's important to consult a qualified healthcare professional and understand deeply how to approach your child in a sensitive and respectful way to make them understand the need for a change and accompany them step by step in the process.

Prof. Zohar Landau is a pediatric endocrinologist at the DMC Center for Diabetes Treatment