Childhood Obesity: Webchat with Professor Paul Gately, Friday 6 July, 12-1pm

[RachelMumsnet]

Today one in three children are overweight or obese and research suggests that, if untreated, 85% of these children will become obese adults. To coincide with National Childhood Obesity Week Professor Paul Gately is joining us on Friday at 12 midday for a webchat about childhood obesity.

Professor Gately has over 20 years research experience in the field of childhood obesity and the study of weight loss programmes throughout the world. He formed the MoreLife programme which works across the country in partnership with the NHS to deliver specialist weight management services.

Paul has presented a number of television programmes on the subject of childhood obesity and is a spokesperson for Change4Life. He is also consultant to many government agencies, health organisations and corporations throughout the UK and internationally.

If you're worried your child is obese, or you have concerns about their diet or want advice on how to help them lose weight, join the webchat on Friday at midday or post a question in advance to Professor Gately.

The webchat is now closed. Thanks Paul for joining us today.

"the holy grail of healthy eating is a blithe indifference to food for most of the day"

Brilliant, vezzie; I love that! I am going to memorise it!

Oh - not one single one of my questions answered.

What a surprise, PBB

is all I have to say.

Did I miss the breastfeeding bit?

I thought the questions were good.

@yolo

Hey how can I hear this??? PLEASE HELP!!!

Hi Yolo,

Apologies for getting to this late.
Our webchats are available online to read, there is no audio version.

If we can help any further with this, then please do mail us contactus @ mumsnet.com

I thought there was loads in there that I wouldn't have known & that was good food for thought. Like the 5-a-day recommendation leads to extra calories, not subbing healthier things for lower nutrition snacks. The nuanced view that not all carbs are the same. And that children should own a weight problem if they have it.

I snack all the time, I come from a family of fatties (by my age, anyway, mid 40s). I eat lots of carbs. I am relatively slender (BMI under 20). So no firm rules for everyone.

After a quick scan through of these "answers" I do slightly feel that he came across as a little surprised that "mumsnetters" aka "Mums" would have such thoughtful and well informed questions. Brings out the feminist in me where men are seen as the experts, and equally well-informed women are helped and advised with their problems. (So, perhaps I'm being slightly unfair as I acknowledge this is his field of expertise - but as an early years professional I have a professional view too and have given these issues some careful thought) Perhaps it's something inherent in the Q&A format to some extent. But I think some of the problem stems from the approach taken by Paul.

I'd like to have seen more acknowledgement of the good ideas contained within the questions and comments. Reminds me just slightly of the Barnardo's webchat. Just because we have DC's doesn't mean we don't have a brain !
And just because we are mothers doesn't mean we don't have other roles and experiences to draw on

@JugglingWithTangentialOranges

After a quick scan through of these "answers" I do slightly feel that he came across as a little surprised that "mumsnetters" aka "Mums" would have such thoughtful and well informed questions. Brings out the feminist in me where men are seen as the experts, and equally well-informed women are helped and advised with their problems. (So, perhaps I'm being slightly unfair as I acknowledge this is his field of expertise - but as an early years professional I have a professional view too and have given these issues some careful thought) Perhaps it's something inherent in the Q&A format to some extent. But I think some of the problem stems from the approach taken by Paul.

I'd like to have seen more acknowledgement of the good ideas contained within the questions and comments. Reminds me just slightly of the Barnardo's webchat. Just because we have DC's doesn't mean we don't have a brain !
And just because we are mothers doesn't mean we don't have other roles and experiences to draw on

Not at all, I'm sorry that was your interpretation of my responses. Mums tend to be the family members I interact with most as they seem to be involved most in their childs weight loss challenges. After 20 years working in this field I totally recognise their knowledge, skills and expertise. Indeed much of my insight is gained from real life situations articulated to me by mums and the children and young people i have worked with.

I recognise that raising some of these issues can be a challenge for many as its a personal and sensitive issue. So some of my comments were made with consideration of such challenges and a recognition of the bravery needed to raise them even in an anonymous forum.

Sometimes there were responses or comments that we not supported by science and I strongly believe it is critical to challenge such misperceptions. I was not being dismissive of the responses, and apologies for anyone who felt I was.

I must admit it was the first time I have done this, I did enjoy it but it was a challenge to consider and respond quickly to the questions and comments posed. In fact each of the questions could have a whole day focused on them as a webchat. This is one of the problems with this issue and why we need more things like this.

Thanks for your reply, Paul.

Perhaps I was a little disappointed too that you didn't have more to say on my query of the role of breast-feeding in regulating the appetites of babies, children, and beyond (into adult life) ?

I think one of the problems is 'portion sizes' . I think many parents are unclear on these. On a recent school trip I noticed that the majority of the kids did have a healthy packed lunch, but there was just too much food. Most had adult portion sizes. Perhaps some clear guidelines on how much to actually feed children would help. We are also still have the hang up from our parent's generation where 'finishing your plate' is seen as important. It is if the portion size is right!

just read this, i'm late I know.
To be honest it is the same old tripe being repeated again. Follow the government guidelines - because thats worked so far, right , we need carbs full stop - again I would question that to some degree, and if the government guidelines aren't working then you are not following them properly

More sense on the Dr John Briffa webchat!

It is important to talk about and I do have strange conversations with my dd.
Her: Am I fat?
Me: No
Her: Yes I am look!
Me: You've got a tiny bit of extra weight that's all
Her: So I am fat?
Me: No, you could do with losing an incy bit that's all
Her: What, of fat??
Me: No!

So in answer to your Q's to me Paul we do talk about it in a round about manner. She knows she is overweight and hates it. But I haven't the heart to call her "Fat"! Thanks for answering my Q.

Hello, I am a student at sussex university and I'm currently investigating the effects of video games on childhood obesity. My goal is to take techniques used in the game industry and utilize them to engage children in group games with active nature, so they exercise with friends while having fun. I have prepared two surveys that you can complete online and help me with my research. Your input is crucial for this project and if you have some time to spare please fill them in.
Thank you in advance, Demos

Ps if anyone is interested in finding more about this project please contact me on [email protected]

Link to survey for parents: www.surveymonkey.com/s/XGFSTMC
Link to survey for children: www.surveymonkey.com/s/XPMSLCR