How parents' lifestyle choices shape their children's health and growth

Many parents know that children learn primarily by imitation and observation, more than by what they are told. However, few parents are willing to make adjustments when it comes to lifestyle choices.

For centuries, lifestyle diseases mainly affected adults, and it was rare for children to be diagnosed with conditions like diabetes. However, times have changed, and children are now increasingly vulnerable to these diseases, influenced by their parents' habits.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) says these trends have quadrupled among teenagers since 1990 and are expected to continue rising.

Samuel Njoroge, a businessperson in Eastleigh, reveals how his dislike for cabbage has impacted his children. Looking back, he wishes he had made better choices, especially since his seven-year-old daughter keeps being ridiculed because of her weight. His children now frown at and refuse to eat when cabbage is served.

"I never liked cabbages and I refused to eat them when my wife prepared them. So, as a trend, there always has to be meat, chicken, or something else," said Njoroge.

Due to his tight schedule, he often takes his children to play only on Sundays during outings but his daughter still prefers to play on the phone instead.

"Sunday is always a cheat day for my family. I take my two children to the playground, and we have a meal afterwards. My children love fries, chicken, and ice cream," he said.

During the week, his children either have homework or are watching YouTube, preferring to stay indoors.

Many parents in Nairobi can relate to Njoroge’s experience, feeding their children junk food and taking them to play occasionally when they have time or money. They do not realise how this affects their children's health and development.

Many millennials recall eating plenty of vegetables and playing a lot during their childhood. However, in today's fast-paced world, many parents are caught up in their busy lives and spend little time with their children. Instead, they often replace quality time with rewards like junk or processed foods, movies, and video games, with minimal physical play.

Mimic parents' lifestyles

Dr Micah Mwangi, a nutritionist in Nairobi, warns that children mimic their parents' lifestyles.

"When a child is putting on weight, you can tell. They usually stop playing, preferring to stay indoors and watch TV. They also have a high appetite because of their affinity for food influenced by their parents’ lifestyle," he explained.

Nutritionist Dr Micah Mwangi. (Photo: Handout)

He notes that lack of proper nourishment affects a child's well-being, with obese children risking getting hypertension and diabetes in adulthood.

He observes that when a child gains weight, performing simple activities becomes difficult, often causing panting effects that can be avoided by proper nutritional habits.

"Allow children to play. We live in a society where space has been reduced and parents fear letting their children go out to play. Spaces for playing should be provided if the current trend of obesity, diabetes, and sleep apnea in children is to be averted," said Mwangi.

He emphasises that parents should stop giving fast foods to children as this is detrimental to their health.

"I encourage parents to develop the habit of eating healthy because children observe how we eat and adopt that same attitude. When parents place fast food on a high pedestal, children adopt the same," says Mwangi.

He notes that children learn through imitation, and the lifestyle parents choose is what they perceive as best. As such, parents should avoid introducing fast foods at a tender age.

Many parents, he says, forget that sugar is a form of compact calories, and giving their children a lot of sugary foods exposes them to various diseases.

A survey on non-communicable diseases conducted in 2022 revealed a concerning trend where childhood obesity in Kenya poses a more significant burden than adult obesity. The report says that annually, eight out of every 100 Kenyan children become obese, contrasting with a three per cent annual diabetes rate among adults. Regarding readiness to combat this issue, Kenya is ranked 143rd among 183 countries, indicating significant challenges in addressing obesity.

Looking forward, experts predict that over one million children aged 5-19 years will be affected by obesity by 2030.

According to the WHO, one out of every eight people globally is living with obesity. Since 1990, adult obesity worldwide has more than doubled, and adolescent obesity has quadrupled.

WHO reports that 2.5 billion adults (18 years and older) are overweight, of which 890 million are living with obesity. Additionally, 43 per cent of adults aged 18 and over were overweight, and 16 per cent were living with obesity. In 2022, 37 million children under the age of five were overweight. Over 390 million children and adolescents aged 5-19 years were overweight in 2022, including 160 million people who are living with obesity.

Many low and middle-income countries are confronted with a dual challenge known as the "double burden of malnutrition".

Children in these countries face heightened vulnerability to inadequate prenatal, infant, and young child nutrition. Simultaneously, these children are exposed to diets high in fats, sugars, salts, and energy density, yet low in essential micronutrients. These foods are often more affordable but lack sufficient nutritional value. Coupled with reduced levels of physical activity, these dietary habits contribute significantly to the increasing rates of childhood obesity.