Home-cooked meals can curb childhood obesity

Stating that merely urging children to eat less fatty foods will not help in bringing down the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCD) among them, a study showed that when trying to help a child lose weight, involving a parent in treatment makes the entire family healthier. 

However, following the release of the study report – which was published in the magazine ‘Health and Medicine’, doctors in the state say that while it can be a challenge here to follow the same – owing to the fact that both parents in most families are working, if followed, it can serve to make an immense difference to the burden of Non-Communicable Diseases in Tamil Nadu. 

Stating that results depend on the type of family, well know nutritionist Dr Dharini Krishnan said, “If the family cooks at home at least once a day and slowly adds components like vegetables, fruits, dal, egg, chicken and fish into the daily menu, we can expect to see a change in our country. Families should have at least a cup of vegetables twice a day.” 

While both parents in most families are working, it is essential for every member of the family to pitch in, she said. “Only if all the members of the family comes together, in whatever little way possible, can cooking at home work,” she added. 

“It is important to encourage families to reduce the number of meals eaten out or ordered in. If parents introduce such a practice at home, it can serve to make for a healthy family. Out in the community, high-fat, high-sugar foods often are easier to find than healthy, nutritious foods. It is therefore not a good option to give your children money and ask them to eat out,” said Dr Archana P, a Diabetologist.

With the burden of diabetes and other NCDs being so high in the state, following such practices is the only option, she said. “Parents should pay great attention to the health of their children, and if serving as examples for the same is the only option, they should take it,” she added.