Chocolate, Childhood and the pot-bellied Gannu

I have just eaten a nutella waffle and gone to heaven!  Be it the percussionists beating their drums with fervour to herald  Ganpati  visarjan or  my doggy dearest doing a jugalbandi with them in the language of her tribe, nothing bothers me. Until the euphoria ebbs and is replaced by a feeling of sin and atonement. Now the imperative need to gear up for a gruelling session at my workout the next day to burn those nutella calories before the said dessert sits on my hips forever. The 5 year old who shared that waffle with me had no such qualms. He dug into his treat with a chocolaty smile and nary a care of calories, workouts and hips. Thats because he’s at an age where eating habits are still largely monitored by parents who steer them in the healthy way. However as children grow older and have greater say in what they wish to eat, choices can go awry leading to childhood obesity and in turn adult obesity. It is predicted that if this trend of childhood obesity does not recede, then we are looking at Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease as one of the primary causes of mortality in the age group of young adults. Frightening indeed.

Health awareness has dawned on the populace. Sporting goods stores are doing brisk business. Gyms are seeing an increase in members. Malls are allowing their terrace and parking premises to be used by morning walkers. However childhood obesity is a widely unnoticed concern. With alarming  statistics coming to light, it is indicative that the onus falls on parents to address this issue. Many a times one notices a fit parent whose child has a little belly flopping over his/her waistband.

Not unlike our Gods.

Lord Shiva is a formidable personality with 6 pack abs notwithstanding his tipple of somrus. His dance-exercise keeps him fit.

And there is little Gannu with his jiggling belly and love for sweets. An antithesis of his father.

The lesson to take away from this excerpt is that only Gods can get away with an excessive diet of sweets and modaks. We lesser mortals have to control what we eat and exercise regularly.

More on childhood obesity in the next blog.

Until then, remember, its all about Parental steering. Moderation. and a Happy Childhood. through Food.