Campaign launched against child obesity
Sweets tax, promoting exercise, and decreasing size of food portions among proposed measures
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The increase in obesity among Finnish children and youth is seen as a major public health problem.
Speaking at a seminar on the health of children and young people on Tuesday, Professor Pertti Mustajoki, who works at the Peijas Hospital in Vantaa, said that action is needed on the part of all of society. He said that measures should include action by schools and local authorities. He also called for new legislation, and voluntary action by the food industry, as well as raising general awareness.
Mustajoki urged a restoration of the tax on sweets, and he suggested that the sweets and snack food industries could voluntarily reduce the size of portions of high-calorie foods, such as sweets and potato crisps.
Mustajoki said that while children are healthier now than ever before, obesity is a massive threat to the coming working-age generation.
He urged caution in dealing with weight problems of teenagers, noting that those aged 12 to 18 are also a risk group for eating disorders. Mustajoki sees healthy lifestyles as more important than low-calorie diets.
"We have the tendency to eat the same amount every day, when measured in grammes", Mustajoki explained. Consequently, he feels that it is very important to reduce the energy content of food. One way to do this is to increase the use of vegetables.
Much of the problem is attributed to the consumption of soft drinks. In spite of the large amount of energy they contain, Mustajoki notes that they do not take away the sensation of hunger.
He also says that the number of portions of fast food eaten by Finns has increased tenfold since 1985.
Mustajoki wants to banish vending machines for sweets from Finnish schools, and encourages local authorities to promote exercise by setting up more paths for cyclists and pedestrians, as well as playgrounds for children. He also laments that the lobbies of sports halls are full of vending machines for soft drinks and sweets.
Participants nevertheless noted that most Finnish children are in good health.
In addition to obesity, hazards include factors such as abuse and insecurity, mental health problems, and learning disabilities. There has been a decrease in youth smoking and drinking, but girls aged 16 to 18 are smoking more now than before.
A total of 14,000 chlamydia infections are diagnosed in Finland each year, which means that the route is open for other sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV/AIDS.
Helsingin Sanomat
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| 6.4.2005 - TODAY |
 Campaign launched against child obesity
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