Healthy or Obese? Many parents think that they are doing their children good by feeding them excessively and making them “chubby”. Indeed, if we were to look around, there is a high percentage of obese kids in Singapore now. Most parents mistakenly think that their kids need to eat more to be healthy. More is not necessarily good, especially when it includes fast food, deep-fried and convenient food. The report in the Straits Times dated Saturday, 24 July highlighted the situation of “OBESE CITY” in America. It set me thinking about the same situation that will happen in Singapore.
As Singapore progresses and our per-capita income increases, more parents are able to splurge and dote on their children. In my opinion, some children are being overfed. It is a shame when we compare ourselves to the children of third-world countries who eat to live, not live to eat. Just the other day, I was having dinner at McDonalds (Oh I’m guilty of it too) when I witnessed a perfect example. A family of four was sitting next to my table. The two adults and two children ordered 4 upsized meals. It was obviously too much food. When the children could not finish their meals, the parents turned to bribery, cajoling them to eat more to be treated to an Ice-Cream (also oversized) as a reward. Poor kids. I can imagine how stuffed their stomachs were. I feel that some of the parents are definitely overfeeding the kids with too much junk food rich in calories. What’s more, the kids are already on the road to being obese. I do not understand why the parents encourage such dietary habits where it will have adverse effects and consequences down the years.
Another factor that contributes to obesity in Singapore is the sedentary lifestyle. Our public transports are so well-connected that people here do not have to walk long distances, unlike in the olden days. What’s more, many families own personal cars, which is convenient but again, at the expense of health. Children nowadays would rather slouch on their lazy sofas playing electronic gadgets like the Xbox, Wii and PSP instead of going out for exercise. The current situation for the generation is worsened by the bad examples set by some parents. I think that the Health Promotion Board’s constant education on the food pyramid and importance of exercise and healthy living should be taken to a much larger scale. Parents in turn, should play a role model for their children. We should have more food labels with details like calorie counts and the various components even for food stalls, fast food and hawker food.
Finally, I would like to share my personal experiences. Since young, I have been inculcated by my parents about making wise food choices. In fact, my mother would go to the extent of drafting up a food list for the entire week and making sure that we have a balanced diet with all the complete nutrients. I remember when I was in primary school, I was the only one eating wholemeal bread… as opposed to my friends having sandwiches made of white bread. At home, we have exercise machines that I tap on constantly to keep myself healthy and fit. In short, having a fit and healthy body is essential to having an enjoyable life.
All Singaporeans have a part to play to keep fit, healthy and lead balanced and nutritious lives. We do not want to end up in the Obesity Trap, like that witnessed in America.
