Junk Food Epidemic Grips Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa

Fakhar-e-Alam

Peshawar: Unaware that the excessive pocket money regularly given to his granddaughter for school would lead to her hospitalization due to consuming unhealthy junk food, Riazul Haq rushed Anaya Bibi to the operating theater at Pabbi Nowshera Government Hospital for urgent medical attention.

As he anxiously waited outside the operation theater, Riazul Haq extended his hands in prayer, hoping for Anaya’s successful surgery.

He explained that she had been complaining of piles, stomach pain, and irritable bowel syndrome for the past two weeks, likely a result of consuming excessive amounts of unhealthy junk food such as shawarma, samosas, chips, and snacks.

These items were readily available and sold without proper scrutiny in front of schools, shops, and markets across villages and towns in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to Anaya affectionately as “Gorya” (doll), Riazul Haq recounted how doctors diagnosed her with piles, irritable bowel syndrome, and obesity, attributing these issues to overeating expired chicken commonly used in shawarmas, chicken rolls, chips, snacks, and burgers.

She had been consuming low-fat yogurt and cheese along with high-carbohydrate fatty foods and beverages. Consequently, she underwent immediate surgery.

Anaya’s situation is not unique; thousands of school children in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa are exposed to similar unhealthy junk foods sold openly outside educational institutions, villages, and cities, adversely affecting their health.

The prevalence of such food vendors can be observed in various localities such as historic Qissa Khwani Bazaar, Namak Mandai, Karimpura, Charsadda Road, Faqirabad, Hastnagri, Tehkal, Board Bazaar, Lateef Abad, Hayatabad, Warsak Road, Dalazak Road, Chamkani, and others, where unsafe and expired foods are sold, putting many at risk of various diseases including obesity, overweight, piles, and stomach disorders.

Dr Malik Riaz Khan, Principal Medical Officer and Head of the Children’s Ward at Government Hospital Pabbi Nowshera, emphasized that Pakistan, like many other nations, faces a significant challenge with overweight, piles, and obesity, particularly among children who excessively consume unhygienic and substandard food.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Dr Malik Riaz stated that globally, obesity, piles, and overweight are the fifth leading causes of death, attributing 60-70 percent of deaths to these conditions alongside non-communicable diseases, a trend mirrored in Pakistan.

Citing a WHO report, Dr Malik Riaz noted a drastic rise in the number of children aged five to 19 suffering from obesity, increasing from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016 worldwide, including Pakistan, largely due to the consumption of excessive unhealthy junk food during school hours.

Describing obesity as a significant contributor to mortality, he pointed out that approximately 30 percent of the global population is overweight, with 44 percent of diabetes cases, 23 percent  of heart diseases, and seven to 41 percent of certain cancers linked to overweight and obesity.

Pakistan ranks 10th out of 188 countries in terms of overweight or obese population, with about 50 percent of its populace falling into this category.

According to a World Obesity Foundation report, approximately 5.4 million school-aged children in Pakistan are projected to be obese by 2030 if the unregulated sale and production of unsafe foods, including chips and snacks, persist at the current rate, particularly in markets like those in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to the Pakistan Health Commission Report 2018, Dr Riaz highlighted that approximately 11 percent of children in the country are overweight, with over 5 percent classified as obese.

Alarming statistics compiled from hospitals indicate that 40 percent to 50 percent of children are either overweight or obese, necessitating urgent action from health policymakers to address and prevent this growing public health concern.

Dr Malik Riaz Khan, Principal Medical Officer and Head of the Children’s Ward at Government Hospital Pabbi Nowshera, emphasized that Pakistan, like many other nations, faces a significant challenge with overweight, piles, and obesity, particularly among children who excessively consume unhygienic and substandard food.

Highlighting the severity of the issue, Dr Malik Riaz stated that globally, obesity, piles, and overweight are the fifth leading causes of death, attributing 60-70 percent of deaths to these conditions alongside non-communicable diseases, a trend mirrored in Pakistan.

Citing a WHO report, Dr Malik Riaz noted a drastic rise in the number of children aged five to 19 suffering from obesity, increasing from 11 million in 1975 to 124 million in 2016 worldwide, including Pakistan, largely due to the consumption of excessive unhealthy junk food during school hours.

Describing obesity as a significant contributor to mortality, he pointed out that approximately 30 percent of the global population is overweight, with 44 percent  of diabetes cases, 23 percent  of heart diseases, and seven to 41 percent of certain cancers linked to overweight and obesity.

Pakistan ranks 10th out of 188 countries in terms of overweight or obese population, with about 50 percent of its populace falling into this category.

According to a World Obesity Foundation report, approximately 5.4 million school-aged children in Pakistan are projected to be obese by 2030 if the unregulated sale and production of unsafe foods, including chips and snacks, persist at the current rate, particularly in markets like those in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa.

Referring to the Pakistan Health Commission Report 2018, Dr Riaz highlighted that approximately 11 percent of children in the country are overweight, with over 5 percent classified as obese.

Alarming statistics compiled from hospitals indicate that 40 percent to 50 percent  of children are either overweight or obese, necessitating urgent action from health policymakers to address and prevent this growing public health concern.

The feature report was released by APP. All information and facts provided are the sole responsibility of the writer.