Childhood Obesity

All over world the number of school children who are suffering from obesity has doubled from nineteen eighties and this is more than tripled in the adolescent age group. Therefore, unless remedial actions are being taken, the complications related to obesity would raise in the future population. Among these complications, diabetes and low self esteem leading to reduced production capacity of an individual can be considered as the main disease burdens.
REASONS
There can be many reasons as to why a child becomes obese. This could range from genetic susceptibility, dietary intake, physical activity or else due to certain medical problems. But, among these reasons, most are modifiable and therefore, preventable. When considering these children, it would be correct to state that, they spent almost the same amount of time in school as they do at home. Therefore, the school becomes a second home which now has to play a part in not just giving education but improving the health aspect of these children as well.

For the growing problem of childhood obesity, the schools have been thought of as the best place to intervene effectively as home intervention can vary due to many factors. Thus, the teachers, parents as well as the students themselves need to engage in these activities for it to be fruitful.  There are 10 strategies can be adopted in order to bring about a lasting change in the health aspect of children and let us discuss some of these strategies one by one.

First of all, the strategies are aimed at building a strong foundation within the school in order to carry out the interventional programmes as well as to improve and evaluate while sustaining such implementations. The strategies aimed in achieving such a foundation would be,

1. Address physical activity and nutrition through a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP).

2. Designate a school health coordinator and maintain an active school health council.

3. Assess the school's health policies and programs and develop a plan for improvements.

4. Strengthen the school's nutrition and physical activity policies.

The second set of strategies are aimed at the ways in which action can be taken and these strategies are listed out as,

5. Implement a high-quality health promotion program for school staff.

6. Implement a high-quality course of study in health education.

7. Implement a high-quality course of study in physical education.

8. Increase opportunities for students to engage in physical activity.

9. Implement a quality school meals program.

10. Ensure that students have appealing, healthy choices in foods and beverages offered outside of the school meals program.

 When looking at these strategies, it is vital that schools are organized in a manner that there is coordination between programmes and the expected overall outcomes. Apart from the focused group of school children, the programmes need to look in to aspects related to the home environment as whatever the plan of action implemented at school, if the child’s home does not support backup, the actions might not get materialized after such pain staking implementation process.