Maxine McDonald (MFM Leyton)
What is Obesity?
It’s the state of being overweight or if you prefer, being fat.
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), obesity is defined as abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that may impair health.
Classifications of Obesity
The BMI (body mass index) is used as the marker for obesity and overweight in adults. To classify obesity in children one has to take into consideration the age of the child.
According to WHO:
For children under 5 years of age:
- Overweight is weight-for-height greater than 2 standard deviations above WHO Child Growth Standards median; and
- Obesity is weight-for-height greater than 3 standard deviations above the WHO Child Growth Standards median.
Children aged between 5–19 years
Overweight and obesity are defined as follows for children aged between 5–19 years:
- Overweight is BMI-for-age greater than 1 standard deviation above the WHO Growth Reference median; and
- Obesity is greater than 2 standard deviations above the WHO Growth Reference median.
Over 20 percent of children are obese according to recent updates from Public Health England.
In 2014, 41 million of children in the world were obese or overweight. Yet the figures will rise if we as parents, teachers, pastors, social workers and youth workers do nothing about it.
We cannot leave everything for Government officials. God has given us wisdom and expects us to lead with that.
Let us be the trendsetters and let the children in our church be the leaders of what is right and good
Causes and Contributing Factors
Foodstuffs that raise insulin levels in the body too high are the problem. Insulin is said to cause 75% to 80% of all obesity. Insulin is the hormone, which causes energy to be stored in fat cells.
Too much sugar
Wrong type and too much bad fat
Not enough good fats like avocado and coconut
Processed foods which are packed with sugar and chemicals
Change in diet
Mental capacity- wrong thinking
Inactivity or not enough activity
What are the Dangers?
Children who are obese grow into obese adults if nothing is done to curve it.
They are at higher risk of developing:
Diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Asthma
Musculoskeletal problems including knee and back pain
Psychological and mental health disorders
One of the dangers that has not being highlighted in the studies, is the of problem of bullying and ridicule (which of course hangs in the balance of psychological issues)
“Death is the ultimate danger that stems from obesity.”
Manoeuvring out of the Trap of Obesity
The bible states in Genesis 1:29-30
And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat:
This scripture explains itself. Notice that there is no crisp, biscuits mentioned here.
If we adhere to the original plan of God for our lives we would eat more natural, non-toxic, unprocessed foods.
- Start from a very young age to limit sugars.
- Substituting small portions of highly processed /high calorie food with larger portions fruits and vegetables
- Water is also key to eliminate toxins from the body. At least 2 litres of water per day.
- When they ask for drinks give water. You can also make your own juices with fruit and vegetables.
- Go for pressed instead of concentrated juices
- Read food labels and buy foods and juices with no added sugar.
- Do percentage mixes e.g. 30% juice to 70% water of even 50/50.
- Organic is better but know the source
- Exercise the mind over the body (the flesh) that craves wrong things
- Encourage children to plant their own vegetables, this will encourage them to eat healthily. Just a windowsill will do for a start. You'll be surprised how excited they get doing this.
- Encourage them to cook with basic ingredients. By this you know what in the dish you prepare
- Parents and adults must lead by example
- Increase activity
- Limit time on Television, games and mobile phones.
Biblically
As children of The Almighty God we should encourage our children to do as Romans 12:1 states; - “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service”.
And finally.....
What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.
If we then encourage our children to adhere to the word of God and know what He wants them to do, then they will be strong and do exploits. Nothing will limit them.
So let's empower our children to be as lively stones, a holy priesthood, to offer themselves as sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.
It’s time for the church of God to rise up and take a stand against this killer of our children.
In Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries Leyton branch, we have decided to make an imprint on our children’s future. We plan to make this a lifestyle and let them have fun doing it.
Our children are encouraged to exercise as much as possible. One way is in the form of singing and dancing to God’s Glory during praise and worship. It’s everyone’s responsibility to motivate and empower them to participate.
We organise time out for the children for outdoor physical activities. For example going to parks and fun ways to run about and enjoy.
Every third Sunday juice, water and fruits are given in place of fatty crisp. A variety of fruits e.g. blueberries, strawberries, grapes, bananas and apples are packaged for them and they totally enjoy this.
Educational talks are given to the parents on healthy life style which was evidenced in the last health workshop held for the women.
Plans for the Near Future- Grow and eat:
Planting small garden patch with-
- vegetables like carrots and tomatoes
- Herbs like coriander, basil
Together we can achieve great goals!