016: Childhood Obesity – With Dr. Judwin Ndzo

Living African

According to the World Health Organization (WHO) – in 2019, reports showed that 38.2 million children under the age of 5 years were estimated to be overweight or obese. Once considered a high-income country problem, overweight and obesity are now on the rise in low- and middle-income countries, particularly in urban settings. In Africa, the number of overweight children under 5 has increased by nearly 24% since 2000.

What makes this worse is the fact that most African countries have this mindset that being overweight has been associated with richness, health, strength, and fertility, whereas in the Western world, the slim body size is widely idealized. So children and teens with obesity are considered nourished and nice hence their obesity is less diagnosed.

Today, we have with us Dr. Judwin Ndzo to share her experience as a pediatrician who deals with cases of child obesity on a daily basis. This episode is focused on the causes of child obesity, myths surrounding child obesity, and preventive measures we can put in place to ensure our children don't become obese. We also discussed the impact obesity has on children's mental health. I hope you learn and pick some key points from this episode – remember to share this episode and the lessons learned with your circles.

Meet Our Guest :

Dr. Ndzo is a UK-based pediatrician who is passionate about helping children grow, thrive, and achieve their maximal potential in life. Early in her career, after graduating from the University of Buea, Cameroon, she worked at Solidarity Clinic in Buea, where she developed a passion for managing children. Her interest in nutrition led her to her job with MSF Swiss and later the French Red Cross in Garoua-boulaï, Eastern Cameroon where she worked in a refugee camp for almost 2 years, looking after malnourished kids.

Following this, she won a Chevening scholarship to study for a master's in Public Health Nutrition at the University of Southampton, UK. The following year, she decided to start her residency in Paediatrics and became a member of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in 2021. She is keen to mentor and help other young Cameroonians pursue their career goals.

When not working, she enjoys traveling, working out, hiking, cooking, socializing, and hanging out with friends!

Contact Our Guest:

• Instagram: @aliehjudwin
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/judwin-ndzo-16317b70

Things You Will Learn in This Episode:

[00:01 – 03:00] Introduction

• Getting to know our guest

[03:00 – 15:00] Understanding Childhood Obesity

• What is childhood obesity?
• Understanding BMI & Growth Charts
• Obesity in Africa & risk factors
• Demographical data on obesity
• The impact of obesity on children's health

[15:00 – 30:00] Mental Health of Obese Children & Myths of Obesity

• Mental health issues children face due to obesity
• The effects of bullying on obese children
• Myths surrounding obesity in Africa
• The importance of eating healthy diets

[30:00 – 42:00] Advise, Recommendations & Ways Out of Obesity

• Prioritizing breastfeeding and proper weaning
• Practice exercising and healthy meal habits in the family
• Advice to the teens facing obesity
• The importance of being sensitive when addressing obesity
• Being a good example and positive role model for our children
• Importance of family therapy and creating safe spaces for discussions around obesity

[42:00 – 46:55] Final Words

• Dr. Ndzo’s final words
• Anyoh’s final words

Quotes

“Yes, the most important thing is that babies eventually have food. But it's important to talk about the importance of breastfeeding. So we know that babies who are bottle-fed are much more likely to develop obesity in the future and alongside diabetes and or whatnot.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“I see children with diabetes, with hypertension, with low self-esteem, all those things. It really bothers me to see obese children suffer such health problems, especially at such a young age and I think we need to start with the adults, we are we need to be role models to our children. Let's have healthy families because healthy families would lead to healthier communities.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“I see a lot of Cameroonian men who are obese and some of them don't even realize that until they get diagnosed maybe with hypertension and diabetes, and then they start making an effort to want to lose weight. So I think we need to start by looking at our own selves as adults. We cannot be telling a child, you're obese and things when yourself you've not started with yourself.” – Dr. Judwin Ndzo

“So do that BMI test, look at a BMI chart, calculate your BMI, you can literally do it at home, measure your child's height and measure your child's weight. I think anything over 25 is overweight and then obese or morbidly obese. So if your child is falling within that range, then have an honest conversation with them. And you don't necessarily have to be condescending, but just try to see things that you can start by changing in the household. And also having that conversation with them.” – Anyoh Fombad

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Check out our website www.livingafricanpodcast.com for more resources and to learn more. Connect with host, Anyoh: You can connect with Anyoh on Facebook (@anyohf), Instagram (@anyohfombad), and Twitter (@anyohfombad).

Thank you.