A study published by the Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health has estimated that the total health care costs for childhood obesity now cost the taxpayer as much as $17 million per year.
The study found that each obese child cost an average of $367 more in healthcare costs and has a direct effect on a child's health care utilisation, than a child of a healthy weight.
When a child's weight is higher relative to his age and height, it can lead to childhood obesity. A body mass index that is greater than the 95th percentile is considered clinically significant for the diagnosis of childhood obesity.
Five per cent of two to four-year-olds are classified as obese, and 20 per cent of Australian children are obese or overweight by the time they start school. Obesity leads to insulin resistance, joint problems, asthma, high blood pressure and high cholesterol, as well as social discrimination and lowered self-esteem. In later life, this can lead to cardiovascular disease, heart problems, stroke and diabetes.
With one in five Australian kids overweight, there is a growing call for parents to make an urgent lifestyle change for their children to reverse this worrying trend.
The study stated: "Our estimate of the annual health care costs incurred to the Australian healthcare system of obesity in children aged under five further highlights the importance of prevention in an age group that researchers and public health professionals often overlook."
The first five years of a child's life are when most habits and preferences are formed. Parents have a certain window of opportunity to set children up with good habits – something that will benefit children both in the short-term but also for the rest of their lives.
So what can parents do, to set up healthy attitudes to food and exercise?
Keep snacks healthy
Young children need to eat frequently and use snacks to add super healthy food choices to their diet. Keep fruit, vegetables, cheese, lean meats, and wholegrain products at hand, to avoid reaching for the chips and biscuits when kids are hungry and cranky.
Encourage water
Water should always be the main source of hydration. Juice should be limited to once a day, fizzy drinks are only for parties.
Limit sugar
Healthy eating is a top priority, so remove the temptation of sugary snacks by not having biscuits and lollies in the cupboard.
Make mealtimes family time
Young kids love routine and love family time. Make an effort to eat a healthy dinner together around the table, where you can talk about your day and lead by example.
Don't nag them at mealtimes
If they don't eat their dinner, don't nag them to finish, but don't provide unhealthy alternatives.
Food is not a comfort
Don't use food as a comfort or a reward. Use hugs, stickers and plenty of praise.
Focus on health, not weight
Rather than focus on the weight of a child, focus on healthy living. This also goes for mums who are constantly worried about their weight too! Too much fretting about what's on the scales or about weight gain can send negative body-image messages and impact your mental health, so aim to focus on being healthy and strong rather than skinny.
Get moving
Apart from healthy weight management through healthy foods, encourage your children to move. Kids are too sedentary in today's screen-led world. Limit screen time and instead encourage children to get up and play outdoors - to simply be kids and have fun. Children and teens should take part in at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day. They are much more likely to do it if you go along too, or if you organise for them to play with a friend.
Encourage sport
Be supportive of any sporting activity they wish to try – whether heading to the swimming pool or joining a fun team sport. If they aren't interested or too young for formal sport, set up some fun activities around the house like tug-of-war, an obstacle course, skipping, playing a game of tips or capturing the flag. These games are heaps of fun, but they also build strength, strategic thinking, and agility, and improve a child's health and fitness.
Lead by example
Don't expect a child to do something if you aren't doing it yourself! We need to stay active, eat healthily and educate children on proper nutrition, so they are able to make good choices when adults aren't around to guide them. Get out and exercise together – ride bikes, go for a walk, dance around the kitchen, try hula hooping… whatever they enjoy and gets everyone moving.
Keep it fun!
Kids won't do something they don't enjoy. Make healthy snacks interesting, and make activities fun together, not only will you get rid of body fat and eliminate the risk factors for obesity for your child, but you also build a healthy family.
This study was released in 2017. All information was true and correct at time of original publication date. This article has been updated on March 24, 2023.
