Obesity on the rise in developing world: Report
The number of obese and overweight people in the developing world nearly quadrupled to almost a billion between 1980 and 2008, a thinktank report said on Friday. There are now far more obese or overweight adults in the developing world than in richer countries, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) said.
The London-based institute said more than a third of all adults around the world — 1.46 billion people — were obese or overweight. Between 1980 and 2008, the numbers of people affected in the developing world rose from 250 million to 904 million. In the developed world, the figure rose from 321 million to 557 million.
“The growing rates of overweight and obesity in developing countries are alarming,” said ODI research fellow Steve Wiggins, who co-authored the Future Diets report. [Times of India 4th January 2014]
In a recent survey cum intervention program conducted by Dr. Mathew, he was surprised to find that one third of sixth grade students were obese in a well-known school in Borivali that had an attached playground! One can only imagine the plight of schools without playgrounds.
Most schools do not have their own playgrounds
As you must have read in the newspapers recently, this is a shocking statistic. Please read https://drspmathew.wordpress.com/2014/01/04/75-schools-dont-have-playgrounds/ to know more.
One possible solution is Homeschooling. In Homeschooling parents are the role models and teachers of their children, for values as well as learning. Parents teach children how to learn, so that together they can go on this journey of learning and discovering. Education has moved out of the classroom into the real world, are you prepared for the future?
Most open spaces in Mumbai have been encroached illegally robbing citizens of playgrounds and recreational grounds
This is another problem that we citizens in cities have been facing. Citizen activism is seen as the key here. http://newlinkroad.wordpress.com/2012/03/10/open-spaces-in-mumbai/
City neighborhoods barely have open spaces for relaxation and enjoyment of the outdoors. The result has taken a toll on our quality of life. The recent success of the AAP has shown the power that ordinary people can exert if they focus and persevere to be a change in their God-given area.
So parents and friends, what are you waiting for? Take charge of your life, the education of your children, and the life of your neighborhood. There is never a better time than now.
Love, power and a sound mind 