In brief
In South Africa, childhood obesity is on the rise, prompting schools and health advocates to implement healthier food policies. The Kairos School of Inquiry leads this initiative by serving primarily vegetarian meals and promoting whole foods. UN statistics highlight a troubling trend with the number of overweight children nearly tripling in the last two decades. Efforts by parents, educators, and organizations like UNICEF aim to combat the influence of fast food marketing and improve children's access to nutritious diets.
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 explains, as she serves the students.
This 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 globally has nearly tripled in the last two decades. Overweight children aged five to nine years old soared from 69 million to 147 million.
At Kairos, parents have been asked to pack only whole foods in their children's lunchboxes. Headteacher Marc Loon believes this initiative teaches students the importance 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 the children would be served, he stated.
The emphasis on healthy eating emerges amid a rise in convenience foods in developing countries, significantly impacting children's health. Trainee lawyer Mamkhabela Mthembu, reflecting on her past, explained how junk food was seen as a symbol of achievement in her childhood, marking a shift in perception.
UNICEF advocates for tougher regulations on fast food advertising to children and for improved access to nutritious food options. However, despite potential policies, the challenge remains prevalent, with regions like South Africa witnessing a surge in fast-food chains.
In 2018 South Africa introduced higher taxes on sugary drinks, yet childhood obesity rates have not abated, climbing to 22% among children under five, a dramatic increase from previous years. UNICEF insists that to forge a healthier future for children, governments must facilitate access to healthy foods.
As lunchtime breaks come to a close, children enjoy fruits, vegetables, and whole grain sandwiches at Kairos School of Inquiry. Until systemic changes occur, schools and individuals continue to lead the charge towards ensuring the well-being of future generations.
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