Janet Ogundepo Unhealthy dietary choices of children automatically set the stage for chronic illnesses in the future, a health expert and weight loss coach at CoachE’Nation, Eziaha Bolaji-Olojo, has warned. While expressing concern over the rising consumption of sugary drinks, sweets, and fast foods over nutritious, homemade meals, she said societal issues, beyond just medical factors, also significantly contribute to health crises. The Health enthusiast, in a statement to PUNCH Healthwise to commemorate 2024 Children’s Day, warned that children consuming unhealthy foods are at risk of diet-related health conditions, including obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart and kidney diseases.
Bolaji-Olojo “Today more than ever, there is an alarming increase in our children’s consumption of junk food like sugary drinks, sweets, and fast foods over nutritious, healthy and homemade meals. The dangerous impact of such shows in the rise of diet-related health conditions like childhood obesity, type 2 diabetes, heart and kidney diseases, and even behavioural issues to mention a few. “What is even worse are future projections by experts, with the already alarming figures expected to more than double in the next 10-20 years.
“In Nigeria alone, the rate of childhood obesity has more than doubled in recent decades. This surge is largely attributed to the increasing consumption of junk food, which is high in sugar, unhealthy fats, and empty calories. “Such poor dietary habits affect .
