At the gathering of health experts during the International Conference Centre in Abuja for the 2nd International Conference of the Federation of African Nutrition Societies (FANUS), the focus was on series of health concerns particularly the growing global obesity epidemic.

Dr Maria Pilar Riobo Servan

Guest Speaker was renowned nutritionist and endocrinologist, Dr Maria Pilar Riobo Servan, currently Associate Head of Endocrinology and Nutrition, Department at the Fundación Jiménez Díaz Hospital, Universidad Autonoma in Madrid, Spain.

Servan, a Fellow at the Jackson Memorial Hospital, University of Miami, and also Vice President of the Society of Endocrinology, Nutrition & Diabetes in Madrid, as well as member of the European Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Society (ESPEN), led the discussion with a presentation entitled: “The Obesity Epidemic and the Metabolic Syndrome”.

In this interview with Sola Ogundipe, she speaks on the salient implications of obesity on l health and proffers possible solution. Excerpts.

Obesity is key to development of non-communicable disorders. How is Nigeria responding to this threat?

I do not really know much about Nigeria’s burden or response to the obesity threat, but I know that obesity is a problem in children in Spain and most likely, elsewhere in the world. How this applies to Nigeria I cannot tell right away, but I would point out that one of the major issues about obesity in children is that it decreases their life expectancy.

Obese kids are more prone to ill health. There used to be a situation in which the family had meals together, but that is no longer available. Now the children eat alone, mainly because the mother is no longer at home. She goes to work all day long and so has no time to prepare good food for the family.

The role of social factors is very important in curtailing the threat of obesity. Habits such as going to bed on time, dieting and exercising are crucial. Obesity is a problem for society, so we have to create more recreation and relaxation for the children.

What are the common implications of childhood obesity?

The first implication is the tendency to become diabetic. Obese children aged 19 or 20 tend to develop complications of type 2 diabetes and in, say 20 years’ time, they could develop bone deformities because as children, their bones are just being formed. Then there is the psychological problems which are expanded. An obese child is laughed at and derided by contemporaries and it is not uncommon that an obese person has lower opportunity for employment.

Is there a definite connection between soft drinks and obesity?

Certainly. But note that it is the excess of intake of nutrients and not just soft drinks that causes obesity, so there should be moderation. We know fats have more calories than sugars and excess intake of fats it is one of the causes of obesity. If you take a soft drink and you do not exercise, you could be at risk. if you do not share time with the kids at meal times, obesity is going to be increasing.

What is the role played by fast foods?

With the science that is available now, we need changes in the food industry. We can mandate a restaurant to improve their menu and move to change to offering healthier diets.

Obesity is the problem of society, and requires all stakeholders to work in tandem. The entire industry should collaborate to tackle it. Concerned organisations in Nigeria can help to make changes in this direction.

How about mothers, what is their role in this regard?

The traditional role of women as mothers is being eroded by civilization. It is quite difficult for women to balance their careers with the home front especially these days when many women have to work.

I think this is one important point to note. Habits of women have generally changed and it would be of benefit to society if women could work and yet be free to cater to the needs of their children.

It has to be an adaptation that women learn to cook properly for their families. It is okay to patronize the healthy fast foods but it is better to eat normal food.

Is obesity contagious?

That could be true from the viewpoint of research. There was an epidermiological study which after 32 years of follow up, revealed that the probability of obesity was higher in an individual who has a friend that is obese.

The genetic factors play a role but the environmental factors are also significant. It is like this, if I have obese friends, then I am likely to be susceptible to eat more and exercise less and ultimately, become obese. The significance is that lifestyle plays a major role here.

According to the study, your risk of becoming obese if your friends are obese is up to 171 percent. This is much higher than if you have an obese partner when the risk is 37 percent. It is an important role for friends for children. Obesity is spreading in society like a contagious disease.

What is your recommendation for Nigeria in curtailing the obesity challenge?

My recommendation is for an obesity prevention strategy for children. They ought to feed optimally, exercise, and share feeding moments with their parents.

Children should be made to learn about the benefits of food they can be given is a wonderful it is important they learn to appreciate vegetables and fruits and to imitate what the parents do.

If they see parents enjoying family meals and preparing the food, that habit would be imbibed in them and they would not be likely to develop the attitude of eating alone. Parents should be a role model and enable their children to appreciate the essence of a balanced diet and partaking in family meals.