ECU and the battle against obesity

Originally posted:
ECU Cuts the Fat
By Glenn Knight
24 March 2006

ECU and the battle against obesity

Edith Cowan University will be launching a new study this month on the effect resistance training has on children's fitness, strength, performance and overall body composition. Sixty overweight children will be the focus of the study, headed by Dr Mike McGuigan.

Edith Cowan University is taking the fight to childhood obesity in a new study beginning this month. Sixty over-weight and obese children aged between seven and twelve years are being sought to participate in the program.

The program is designed to give researchers a better understanding of the effect resistance training has on children's fitness, strength, performance and overall body composition. The study will also aim to improve the participants' diet and self-esteem.

During the free eight-week program, participants will undergo a comprehensive body and physiological assessment as well as analysis of their dietary habits.

The study, funded by the Telstra Foundation, will be lead by Dr Mike McGuigan. The Telstra Foundation through its Community Development Fund contributes approximately $3.6 million annually in grants to projects that affect the health and well being of Australian youth.

Currently, obesity rivals asthma as the most common chronic health condition amongst Australian children.

"Unfortunately, studies show that 50 percent of parents with obese children don't even perceive that their child is overweight," said Dr McGuigan.

According to Dr McGuigan the number of overweight individuals in Australia is the highest in the developed world.

"More than one quarter of Australian children are overweight," he said.

The number of serious medical conditions associated with obesity highlights the importance of this study.

As Dr McGuigan points out, "the children are at great risk of early diabetes, hypertension, heart disorders and many other chronic illnesses."

There has also now been an established link between obesity and the development of Alzheimer's disease.The World Health Organisation (WHO) currently estimates that approximately 300 million people are living with obesity worldwide. The WHO sees profound changes in society and changes in our behavioural patterns as the cause for the obesity epidemic. It sights that traditional diets high in complex carbohydrates have been replaced with diets high in fats and sugars.

This high energy, low nutrient, dietary shift has been compounded by a decline in the amount of physical activity undertaken by the population. The result is an increase in the number of overweight individuals, with estimates of around one billion adults being considered overweight worldwide.

The epidemic has also been recognised by the Australian government. It recently launched a $6 million campaign to encourage children to be more active.

The program has however drawn some criticism from the Australian Medical Association (AMA) for not promoting healthier nutrition practices.

Obesity in children will also be a major focus point at the state health ministers annual conference meeting due to take place in New Zealand this April.

The study will require that the children attend three free structured fitness sessions a week at the university's Joondalup campus. Parents interested in the program are asked to contact Dr McGuigan through the university on (08) 6304 2118 or via email at m.mcguigan@ecu.edu.au