In brief
As childhood obesity rates soar globally, South African campaigners are fighting back with initiatives aimed at promoting healthier diets among children. Schools like Kairos School of Inquiry are leading the charge with vegetarian meal policies, while parents are urged to pack wholesome lunches. Despite government measures such as increased sugary drink taxes, the challenge remains daunting as fast food becomes increasingly accessible, contributing to the rising rates of overweight children in the country.
It's lunchtime in the leafy grounds of the Kairos School of Inquiry in Randburg, South Africa. Dozens of children line up excitedly in front of a table laden with large pots of fresh, hot food.
Today on the menu we have Kitchari: a mix of daal and rice, with tomato chutney, halloumi and salad, the school cook says, as she serves the students.
The school decided to introduce a mainly vegetarian food policy as part of an effort to buck a worrying global trend: for the first time, the number of overweight children has overtaken the number of underweight ones.
The UN reports that the number of overweight and obese teenagers has nearly tripled in two decades, with overweight children aged five to nine rising dramatically from 69 million to 147 million globally.
At Kairos, parents are encouraged to pack only whole foods like fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain sandwiches in their children's lunchboxes. Headteacher Marc Loon believes this policy serves as a crucial lesson in healthy eating.
Despite these initiatives, the rising trend of convenience foods in developing regions contributes significantly to childhood obesity. Mamkhabela Mthembu, a 23-year-old law student, shares her experience of growing up with fast food viewed as a luxury, now leading to her struggle with weight.
The South African fast food industry, valued at $2.7 billion in 2018, is expected to grow significantly. Unicef highlights that while higher taxes on sugary drinks were introduced in 2018, childhood obesity continues to rise, with 22% of children under five now classified as overweight or obese.
The situation reveals a stark reality: children from poorer households lack access to healthy food options due to socio-economic constraints, while fast food becomes a cultural norm.
As schools like Kairos push for healthier eating, the urgent task remains for governments to implement effective policies addressing the growing childhood obesity epidemic.
