Author: Roblin, Lynn

Source: Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism, Volume 32, Number 4, August 2007 , pp. 635-645(11)

Publisher: NRC Research Press

Abstract:

The need has never been greater to support healthy eating and physical activity in children and youth; the numbers of overweight and obese children have doubled and tripled, respectively, over the past 3 decades. Poor eating habits, including inadequate intake of vegetables, fruit, and milk, and eating too many high-calorie snacks, play a role in childhood obesity. Grain products provide the highest percentage (31%) of daily calories, followed by “other foods,” which have limited nutritional value (22% of daily calories). Snacks account for 27% of total daily calories, which is more than the calories consumed at breakfast (18%) and lunch (24%), but not dinner (31%). For Canadians older than 4 years of age, more than 41% of daily snack calories come from other foods, such as chips, chocolate bars, soft drinks, fruit drinks, sugars, syrup, preserves, fats, and oils. Habits that protect against childhood obesity include eating more vegetables and fruit, eating meals with family, and being physically active. Children's food habits and choices are influenced by family, caregivers, friends, schools, marketing, and the media. Successful interventions for preventing childhood obesity combine family- and school-based programs, nutrition education, dietary change, physical activity, family participation, and counseling.

Au cours des trente dernières années, le taux d'embonpoint et d'obésité a respectivement doublé et triplé; le temps est venu d'encourager les jeunes à adopter de saines habitudes de vie en matière d'alimentation et de pratique d'activité physique. De mauvaises habitudes alimentaires dont des collations hypercaloriques combinées à un apport insuffisant de lait, de fruits et de légumes jouent un rôle dans la manifestation de l'obésité infantile. Les produits céréaliers fournissent la plus grande part de l'énergie journalière (31 %), puis ce sont les «autres aliments» qui contribuent pour 22 % mais leur valeur nutritive est limitée. Les collations apportent 27 % des calories de la journée, soit plus que ne le fait le déjeuner (18 %) et le dîner (24 %), mais moins que le souper (31 %). Chez les Canadiens de plus de 4 ans, plus de 41 % des calories comprises dans les collations proviennent des «autres aliments» tels les croustilles, tablettes de chocolat, boissons gazeuses, boissons fruitées, friandises, sirop et agents de conservation, graisses et huiles. Certains comportements protègent les jeunes contre l'obésité : manger plus de fruits et légumes, prendre ses repas en famille et être physiquement actif. Les habitudes alimentaires et le choix des aliments sont influencés par la famille, les soignants, les amis, l'école, le marketing et les médias. Les interventions favorables à la prévention de l'obésité infantile combinent les programmes famille-école, l'éducation alimentaire, les régimes alimentaires, l'activité physique, la participation de la famille et le counseling.

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2007-08-01

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• This bimonthly journal has a 30-year history of publishing, first as the Canadian Journal of Sport Sciences, and later as the Canadian Journal of Applied Physiology. It publishes original research articles, reviews, and commentaries, focussing on the application of physiology, nutrition, and metabolism to the study of human health, physical activity, and fitness. The published research, reviews, and symposia will be of interest to exercise physiologists, physical fitness and exercise rehabilitation specialists, public health and health care professionals, as well as basic and applied physiologists, nutritionists, and biochemists.
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