A new study measured the brain response of children at risk of obesity while watching television. According to this study, Children who have a genetic tendency to be obese are 2.5 more vulnerable than those children who do not have this gene present.
This study, conducted by researchers at Darthmouth University, consisted of children seeing content prepared specifically for them while they were inside an MRI machine that would measure their brain activity in relation to the images shown.
The study: children with high, medium and low risk of being obese
The children were shown a Nickelodeon children's program, alternated with 12 minutes of advertising selected by another group of children as visually attractive. The advertising was a combination of food ads and ads for non-food related products.
The researchers looked for markers or evidence about the gene associated with obesity, called FTO, which is one of the genotypes that is related to the risk of obesity. Of the 78 children between 9 and 12 years of age who participated in the study, 19 were at high risk, 38 were at medium level and 22 were at low risk. The difference in which the researchers noticed was in the reaction to food commercials against commercials of food-related products.
It was found that in the brain of children with high and medium risk of obesity was 2.5 times stronger your reward or reward response, than those with low risk. These results suggest that Limiting the amount of food advertisements can combat the childhood obesity epidemic which is currently suffering.
Food signals are stimuli that remind us of food, and that includes watching food, smelling food or even talking about food. These signals are what often push us to eat, even if we are not hungry at the moment.
The researchers comment that the reaction of the brain according to the risk of obesity is the same in children and adults, but that Children are more susceptible to being stimulated and eating after seeing a food advertisement because unlike an adult, he does not know the true intentions behind advertising, whose purpose is to promote and raise sales of a product.
Although this study only included children aged 9 to 12 years. the researchers comment that maintaining a healthy weight from birth to 5 years could prevent obesity. That is why it is very important that as parents we take care of what they eat since they are babies and begin to try the first foods, always including a nutritious diet that is the best for children's development.
Tips to prevent obesity in children
Limit times in front of screens
In addition to spending hours in front of television or tablet is not the best for its development, sedentary lifestyle and exposure to junk food advertising are two factors that influence childhood obesity. By controlling the programming that our children watch and setting limits or rules regarding the times and use of television, tablets and cell phones, we can avoid getting used to them.
Let's promote sports and artistic activities
An excellent alternative to prevent obesity is to instill in children the taste for activities that keep them moving, be it a walk in the park, classes of their favorite sport or dance classes. Although an afternoon of movies or games at home is a good idea to spend time with your family, let's choose to include physical activities and outdoor play hours several times a week for children to be active.
Educate by example and not eat junk food (at least in front of them)
Children learn by example because we are all imitators by nature. How do we expect our children to enjoy vegetables if we pout ourselves? Many times we forget that the most present example they have in their lives is ourselves and sometimes we commit some actions that we do not want them to repeat.
In my case I love to eat unhealthy food when I watch a movie or series, whether it's some popcorn or some snacks with chili. Naturally when my daughter accompanies us to watch a movie that is off the menu and we choose to eat fruit or something healthier. It costs a job, but in addition to giving them a good example, you learn to take care of yourself too.
Serve balanced meals
Following the previous example, when choosing healthier and more nutritious meals for the whole family, we go educating our children since childhood to have a healthy diet. The advantage of serving a balanced meal for children is threefold: children are taught to eat everything without looking disgusted, we avoid childhood obesity and at the same time take care of what we as parents eat.
Do not become obsessed with weight, better educate for a healthy life
Although it is always good to be aware of our weight, it is better to teach our children to lead a healthy life and maintain a healthy weight through balanced eating and physical activity. If they see that we become obsessed with the number that appears on the scale, they will most likely begin to do so, causing insecurity and probably even rejection of food.
Childhood obesity is a worrying problem that can have terrible consequences, but it is in us as fathers and mothers to guide our children towards a healthy lifestyle that will make them feel healthy and happy.
