School-Based Interventions to Prevent Obesity in Children

The prevalence of childhood obesity is increasing throughout the world. In United States, the percentage of children who are considered overweight or obese has doubled, from 15 percent in the 1970s to nearly 30 percent today, while the children who are considered obese has tripled. Obesity poses a serious health threat. There are serious health and economic consequences associated with child obesity. Children who are obese or at risk for obesity have a [Page 667]greater likelihood of being obese in adulthood and developing heart disease, diabetes, and other serious health conditions. Most obesity interventions have taken place in clinical settings. However, schools also provide an opportunity for preventing and treating obesity, because most children and adolescents are enrolled in schools and spend a significant amount of time there. Schools present a unique opportunity to promote and teach children healthy diet and encourage physical activity.

One of the strategies to plan for prevention of obesity in children at school age is establishing intervention-based school programs which include the following.

Incorporate of nutritional education into the curriculum: All academic institutions and schools should work to develop and implement curricula to teach knowledge and skills needed to adopt healthy nutrition behaviors, such as eating habits, food choices, and lifestyle. Schools should provide opportunities to children to practice those skills, and help them to overcome barriers to adopting positive behavior. Curricula should be culturally appropriate; the program must emphasize reducing the consumption of fat while increasing of fruit and vegetables. It is necessary that school administrators understand that student health, including healthy weight, is a component of successful academic performance.

Improve physical activity standards within schools: Schools can provide multiple opportunities for students to participate and enjoy physical activities. Schools should increase the amount of time that students spend in physical activity. Quality physical education requires at least 150 minutes per week for elementary schools and 225 minutes per week for secondary schools. The physical activity program should keep students active most of the education class time; also, it should be enjoyable for students. Teachers can integrate nutrition and physical activity into existing core subjects such as math and science through movement and the sedentary activities should be discouraged. Schools should implement after-school programs to increase children's physical activity even after school hours; this can be encouraged by opening the school facilities and making them available after school hours and on weekends for recreational and fitness use.

Provide health education for school staff: It is one of the strategies that contribute to student health, by giving the school staff skills and knowledge that they need to become role models for good health. The education program should provide school staff members with the opportunity to participate in nutrition classes and physical activity programs, which can improve their commitment to the health of the students and create positive role modeling. Staff should be aware of the risk factors for obesity in children and how to prevent it. Also, they should be informed about long-term health risks associated with obesity in adults and children among school

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