MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Chilean parents concerned with “obese” children

Two out of ten Chilean children at the age of six are obese with a 40% chance of becoming obese adults, according to a report from the Chilean Health Ministry.

Excess of junk food, lack of physical exercises and sports, plus too much time spent watching television or sitting before a computer are pinpointed as the main culprits of infantile obesity.

The report also indicates that infantile obesity has become the fourth most feared disease among Chileans behind, cancer, HIV and heart problems and ahead of depression and cholesterol.

However a good point for the Chileans is that a paper which compares surveys in six different countries, Spain, Argentina, Poland, Canada, United States and Sweden shows that infantile obesity does not figure as a major concern in spite of the fact those countries have similar or higher percentages.

Not even the US and other developed countries where it is extended to all age groups, does obesity figure among the main disease concerns.

Actually its Chilean parents who are the most inclined to identify obesity in their children: two out of ten, which is well above the average of other countries.

Furthermore 19% of parents feel their children either don't eat enough or have healthy food or proper meals.

Chilean Health Minister Maria Soledad Barria said (Chilean) parents' concern was positive and should be praised because it means they are aware of consequences for children when they grow up.

"Obesity is a high risk factor which will influence many aspects of the lives of future adults. We're working on this with our neighborhood clinics and parental support is crucial in overcoming the problem".

Another report from the University of Chile Nutrition Department showed that half of the school children in the metropolitan area of Santiago are either over weight or obese.

The survey covered 42 different schools in the area.

The report also indicates that children with obesity problems between the ages of six months and six years have a 40% chance of becoming obese adults.

If the problem persists between the ages of 6 and 13, the percentage jumps to 70%