It would probably be safe to assume that 8-year old Connor McCreaddie has no idea of the headlines he has generated recently all over the world.
He is a young boy, with the same hopes and dreams as his peers, but one major difference sets him apart from the norm - weighing in at 14 stone he is more than 3 times the size of his classmates. Connor is at an increased risk of Type 2 diabetes, heart disease, lung problems and cancer, not to mention the emotional scarring that comes hand in hand with the physical aspects of being obese.
Social services recently became so concerned with his health that they decided to take court action against Connor’s mother and grandmother in an effort to determine if he would be better off in a care unit for neglected children.
This case is not just about one family and their problems - it highlights the literally enormous problem of childhood obesity in the UK. With nearly 15% of children in the UK categorised as obese or overweight this issue is epidemic and needs to be addressed with urgency.
One NHS source outlined the exact reasons for taking such a hard stance in the case of Connor and his mother Nicola McKeown.
“We have attempted many times to arrange for Connor to have appointments with community and paediatric nutritionists, public health experts, school nurses and social workers to weigh and measure him and to address his diet, but the appointments have been missed."
"Taking the child into care or putting him on the child protection register is absolutely the last resort. We do not do these things lightly but we have got to consider what effect this life-style is having on his health. Child abuse is not just about hitting your children or sexually abusing them, it is also about neglect.”
The description of Connor’s current lifestyle and eating habits make difficult reading. According to Nicola McKeown he has an intolerance to fruits and vegetables.
She explains that he has a constant craving for junk food and enjoys frequent curries, sausages, biscuits, burgers and chips. Until recently he was snacking every 20 minutes and eating three large meals a day.
Most of his day is spent sitting down playing his computer; he does not get the opportunity to interact with other children as he is too ill to attend school. It is not unrealistic to presume the bullying Connor is subject to has played a part in his reluctance to go to school.
As harsh as some may find it, there is overwhelming evidence to suggest that the overfeeding of Connor is nothing short of child abuse. This neglect, however unintentional needs to be brought to a grinding halt.
It is important that all parents realise the importance of providing their children with nutritious, balanced meals and if this case achieves nothing else, it needs to make people more aware of their own children’s diets and the core role of nutrition to health.
If you are worried about your child’s weight, the following tips and guidelines will help you deal with their nutrition problems in a sensitive manner.
Weighing up the situation
The difference between baby fat and too much weight is a determination that’s best left to your family doctor. Overweight in children is defined as having a body weight that is greater than or equal to the 85th percentile for ideal body weight for height.
But your child’s age and growth patterns should also be considered. For example, it’s normal for boys to first gain weight, and catch up by growing in height. Your doctor will have your child’s weight and height records, and be well-equipped to make this assessment.
Broaching the subject
• First, let your children know they are okay, no matter what their weight. A child’s self-image is very wrapped up in what their parents think of them, so be very careful not to let them believe you disapprove of their weight or eating behaviours.
• Try not to put children on a restrictive diet, which can be harmful to growth and wellbeing (unless advised to do so by your doctor). Also be careful not to become too strict about sweets and other snacks, which can fit into a healthy diet on occasion. Too-stringent restrictions can cause children to crave the "forbidden" foods and lead to overeating when you’re not there to watch them.
• Don’t set your children apart from the rest of the family by preparing different meals for them or making them exercise while everyone else is watching TV. This can make them feel isolated or seem like punishment. Instead, focus on finding weekend activities, like hiking or canoeing that can become regular parts of your weekly routine. Eat healthy meals together as a family and everyone will benefit.
• Reduce the amount of time the whole family spends sitting in front of the TV or playing computer games. One in four children watches 4 hours of TV each day while only 1/3 of schools offer 2 hours of physical activity each week. Try to replace several of those TV hours each week with outdoor play or exercise.
• It’s important not to force children into anything. Recognise that they may feel less comfortable than children who are of a healthy weight when engaging in certain activities such as swimming or dancing. Pushing them to do something they don’t like may cause them to develop a hatred or dread of exercise, which is the opposite message you want to send.
• Help them find a form of exercise they can truly enjoy. Offer to give them tennis lessons, send them to a sports club or sign them up for martial arts classes. But be sure to emphasise that it’s their choice and you only want them to do it if it’s fun.
• It’s simple: children learn by example. This is especially true for young children. Start modeling good habits, such as choosing fruit for a snack, taking the stairs instead of the lift or parking the car further away in the car park so you have to walk to get to your destination. Before you know it, they’ll be mimicking your good examples.
The following website contains helpful information about a programme for obese and overweight children: www.mendprogramme.org