| Rokiah Mahmud |
LOOKING to educate families on the importance of adopting a healthy lifestyle, the Paediatrics Department of the Raja Isteri Pengiran Anak Saleha (RIPAS) Hospital yesterday organised the ‘Move and Munch’ event.
The activity is part of the ‘Let’s Move’ initiative led by the department’s Obesity Clinic.
In her welcoming address, Paediatric Department Medical Officer Dr Dayangku Masdiana Nabila Muliati binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Tahir noted that over the years more children have been referred to the clinic for being overweight or obese.
If early preventions are not made, the figure will become quite worrying, she said.
Obese children will encounter several problems such as sleep apnea, a common disorder in which an individual will experience pauses in their breathing or shallow breathing while sleeping.
Dr Dayangku Masdiana Nabila Muliati binti Pengiran Haji Mohd Tahir delivering her talk. – ROKIAH MAHMUD
“Other risk factors may include coronary problems, diabetes, high cholesterol, low confidence, being bullied by peers and depression,” she explained.
Child obesity is primarily caused by lifestyle choices, such as spending more time playing video games, watching too much television and snacking, not exercising and consuming more processed food as part of their diet.
Dr Dayangku Masdiana called on parents to adopt healthier diets and exercise regularly, leading by example in the battle against childhood obesity.
The ‘Move and Munch’ event saw 25 children and 40 parents attending talks delivered by dieticians and physiotherapists, before engaging in fun games organised by the Occupational Therapy Unit.
More events are planned for the ‘Let’s Move’ initiative in the coming months.
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