The Tele Tubbies
Too much of television, slothful gaming and junk food are making Jack a dull boy.
Victims of inactive lifestyles who are either stuck behind a desk or between a burger and a cola can be identified across the consuming class. But when a baby is diagnosed with sedentary symptoms, it is time for even the most slothful sofa spud to sit up and start worrying.
In early November, an anxious parent walked into the clinic of Ramesh Kancharla, a paediatrician and founder of the Rainbow chain of children's hospitals in Hyderabad. "My child is nine months old but still does not crawl or creep like most babies do at this age, although she is very playful, responsive and happy," was the mother's worry. It did not take long for Kancharla to figure what the problem was. "It is quite common these days - the baby, a very normal child, did not have anything to crawl and reach out to. All her toys were static and operated by the push of a button."
The problem of low physical activity in kids is most common in the four to 12 age group, often manifesting in childhood obesity. Such kids spend most of their time slouched in front of a television or a computer or a gaming console, with junk food as their solitary companions. "We get at least two cases of childhood obesity per day now as against two to three in a week five years ago," says Kancharla, who also happens to be a specialist in children's liver diseases and gastroenterology. Estimates are that 20 per cent of school-going children in the major metros suffer from obesity or obesity-related symptoms.
Being overweight is only one of the health hazards. "The number of children suffering from asthma in the city of Pune alone has doubled in the last five years," says Dr Sundeep Salvi, Director of the Chest Research Foundation in Pune. His finding is based on a study the foundation conducted in the city last year. Salvi reckons that the trend would not be too different in most other cities. "Around one out of 10 children in India has asthma, and it is the leading cause of school absenteeism," points out S. Radhakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer at Cipla, one of the leading players in asthma treatment.
The triggers for asthma: a rise in air pollution coupled with a reduction in physical activity, which results in inadequate exercise for the lungs. The fatty oils, preservatives and food additives in deepfried junk food only compound the problem. Also, over-protective parents - particularly of single kids - who discourage outdoor play and resort to antibiotics at the drop of a hat are not helping increase the immunity levels of their children.
A number of ailments in children are psychosomatic, caused by watching inappropriate television content, or not enough attention from parents, or pressure from peers. This can also manifest in behavioural problems. "Parents complain about their children becoming defiant, throwing tantrums and seeking possessions only because of peer pressure," says Dr Niraj Ravani, a neuropsychiatrist and an Associate Professor at the Terna Medical College and Hospital, one of the oldest private medical colleges in Navi Mumbai.
Ravani agrees that behavioural issues arise in single children whose parents are working. That may be because the parents have little patience or time for debate and resolution, and instead give in to the child's tantrum to buy peace. Yet, joint families have their own problems - of excessive pampering and protection, which often starts with the grandparents.
In some cases, parents themselves may be contributing to their kids' dysfunctionality with their zeal to keep up with the Joneses. Says Dr Kalyan Chakravarthy, a consulting child and adolescent psychiatrist in Hyderabad: "When parents are keen to buy things that the next-door family does not have, they eventually condition an attitude in children of never being satisfied and looking forward to the next new or different goodie in the market." Clearly, today's generation - parents and kids - are benefiting from the various options in the marketplace. The flip side, however, is that the more the choices, the more can be the anxiety that comes along with them.
In early November, an anxious parent walked into the clinic of Ramesh Kancharla, a paediatrician and founder of the Rainbow chain of children's hospitals in Hyderabad. "My child is nine months old but still does not crawl or creep like most babies do at this age, although she is very playful, responsive and happy," was the mother's worry. It did not take long for Kancharla to figure what the problem was. "It is quite common these days - the baby, a very normal child, did not have anything to crawl and reach out to. All her toys were static and operated by the push of a button."
Childrens ailments are psychosomatic and can manifest in behavioural problems
Being overweight is only one of the health hazards. "The number of children suffering from asthma in the city of Pune alone has doubled in the last five years," says Dr Sundeep Salvi, Director of the Chest Research Foundation in Pune. His finding is based on a study the foundation conducted in the city last year. Salvi reckons that the trend would not be too different in most other cities. "Around one out of 10 children in India has asthma, and it is the leading cause of school absenteeism," points out S. Radhakrishnan, Chief Financial Officer at Cipla, one of the leading players in asthma treatment.
The triggers for asthma: a rise in air pollution coupled with a reduction in physical activity, which results in inadequate exercise for the lungs. The fatty oils, preservatives and food additives in deepfried junk food only compound the problem. Also, over-protective parents - particularly of single kids - who discourage outdoor play and resort to antibiotics at the drop of a hat are not helping increase the immunity levels of their children.
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Ravani agrees that behavioural issues arise in single children whose parents are working. That may be because the parents have little patience or time for debate and resolution, and instead give in to the child's tantrum to buy peace. Yet, joint families have their own problems - of excessive pampering and protection, which often starts with the grandparents.
In some cases, parents themselves may be contributing to their kids' dysfunctionality with their zeal to keep up with the Joneses. Says Dr Kalyan Chakravarthy, a consulting child and adolescent psychiatrist in Hyderabad: "When parents are keen to buy things that the next-door family does not have, they eventually condition an attitude in children of never being satisfied and looking forward to the next new or different goodie in the market." Clearly, today's generation - parents and kids - are benefiting from the various options in the marketplace. The flip side, however, is that the more the choices, the more can be the anxiety that comes along with them.
