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. This school has introduced a mainly vegetarian food policy as part of an effort to combat a worrying global trend: more overweight children than underweight ones for the first time ever.
According to the UN, the number of overweight and obese teenagers worldwide has nearly tripled in the last 20 years, with the total number of obese children aged five to nine years old rising from 69 million to 147 million. At Kairos, parents are advised to pack only whole foods in their children's lunchboxes. Headteacher Marc Loon believes this approach offers a vital opportunity to teach students about the significance of healthy eating. 'If all schools were to emulate our intention of being thoughtful and conscious of what children are putting into their bodies... the health of children would be served,' he states.
The struggle to maintain healthy eating habits extends beyond schools. Trainee lawyer Mamkhabela Mthembu shares her experiences of transitioning to a university lifestyle dominated by fast food, leading to health issues she's now advocating against. The UNICEF highlights the growing presence of convenience food as a major contributor to rising obesity rates, particularly in poorer and middle-income countries. They recommend significant improvements in access to local, nutritious food for children, which is crucial as 22% of children under five in South Africa are already overweight or obese.
As students at Kairos consume meals filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, the reality remains that until systematic changes are made, both institutional initiatives and individual advocacy are essential in reversing the rising trend of childhood obesity in South Africa.
According to the UN, the number of overweight and obese teenagers worldwide has nearly tripled in the last 20 years, with the total number of obese children aged five to nine years old rising from 69 million to 147 million. At Kairos, parents are advised to pack only whole foods in their children's lunchboxes. Headteacher Marc Loon believes this approach offers a vital opportunity to teach students about the significance of healthy eating. 'If all schools were to emulate our intention of being thoughtful and conscious of what children are putting into their bodies... the health of children would be served,' he states.
The struggle to maintain healthy eating habits extends beyond schools. Trainee lawyer Mamkhabela Mthembu shares her experiences of transitioning to a university lifestyle dominated by fast food, leading to health issues she's now advocating against. The UNICEF highlights the growing presence of convenience food as a major contributor to rising obesity rates, particularly in poorer and middle-income countries. They recommend significant improvements in access to local, nutritious food for children, which is crucial as 22% of children under five in South Africa are already overweight or obese.
As students at Kairos consume meals filled with fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, the reality remains that until systematic changes are made, both institutional initiatives and individual advocacy are essential in reversing the rising trend of childhood obesity in South Africa.
