Childhood obesity is on the rise in the US, and this trend is directly correlated to the availability of unhealthy food options and reduced physical activity programs in schools. Besides, the school environment has been a significant factor in contributing to this phenomenon. The reason being that children spend most of their time in school consuming unhealthy calories available in the vending machines and stores. Apart from the readily available unhealthy foods, most schools focus on academics and dedicating limited time to physical activities and education. With such a sedentary lifestyle, childhood obesity is likely to continue rising in the coming years. This problem results in increased cases of cardiovascular diseases, morbidity in childhood, and healthcare costs. Mostly, children from low-income backgrounds are affected since they are unable to purchase healthy foods. The best strategy to address this problem is through the introduction of physical fitness programs, healthy food options, and healthy lifestyle education as a means to reduce childhood obesity among school-going children.
One of the best solutions to tackle the problem of childhood obesity is through the introduction of physical activity programs in schools. The majority of children from low-income families consume most of their calories in schools since they rely on school-based feeding programs that offer free or reduced-price meals (Welker, Lott, & Story, 2016). These foods are filled in excess calories that can predispose children to obesity. Hence, schools need to introduce physical activity programs that are effective in burning excess calories. Teachers should focus on physical fitness programs that children can perform both in school and at home. In a recent study, students who participated in school-based fitness program reported improved core strength, endurance, and reduce BMI scores (Xu, Marchand, Corcoran, DiBiasio, Clough, et al., 2017). Such a program enhances the physical and mental health of children as it becomes part of their lifestyles. Physical activity creates a calorie deficit that results in reduced cases of obesity among children.
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Furthermore, the introduction of healthy food options will further create a calorie deficit and thereby improve the health outcomes among children. In 2015, the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) updated the nutrition requirement and standards offered in school meals, snacks, and beverages (Welker, Lott, & Story, 2016). The body noticed that the school environment is instrumental in preventing cases of childhood obesity. USDA noted that the introduction of low starch vegetables, whole grains, and the absence of sugar-sweetened beverages resulted in reduced cases of obesity among children from low-income families (Welker, Lott, & Story, 2016). However, most USDA’s standards are applied at the high school level. The majority of children are still upholding the sedentary lifestyle that includes skipping breakfast, consuming snacks and fast foods, and avoiding milk and vegetables (Kim & Lim, 2019). As a result, obesity incidences continue to increase. Schools can reduce this problem by stocking the vending machine with water and ensuring that the meals offered to students are full of vitamins and minerals, fruits and vegetables, and whole grains.
Moreover, children need to be educated about the significance of adopting a healthy lifestyle. The introduction of physical fitness programs and healthy food options is not a guaranteed means to reduce childhood obesity. Schools can educate children about their health through physical education and nutrition classes (Bramante, Thorton, Bennett, Zhang, et al., 2019). These lessons will enable children to understand the reason for the emphasis on a healthy lifestyle. They will no longer view it as a punishment but instead perceive it as a learning opportunity that will save their parents from the agony of settling medical bills due to cardiovascular diseases. Eventually, children will understand the facets of healthy living, including the proper physical activities and the right portion size and food groups.
Overall, the availability and access to physical activity programs and healthy foods among school-going children can result in reduced instances of obesity. A significant reduction in sugar-sweetened beverages, high-calorie foods, and snacks can result in low BMI scores among children. With the introduction of physical fitness programs, children can burn more fats and create a further calorie deficit resulting in weight loss. Hence, schools should focus on teaching children how to perform physical activities so that they can make them part of their lives. In the process, children, mostly from low-income families, will grow up to be healthy members of society with improved life expectancies.
References
Bramante, C. T., Thornton, R. L., Bennett, W. L., Zhang, A., Wilson, R. F., Bass, E. B., & Tseng, E. (2019). Systematic review of natural experiments for childhood obesity prevention and control. American Journal of Preventive Medicine , 56 (1), 147-158.doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2018.08.023
Kim, J., & Lim, H. (2019). Nutritional management in childhood obesity. Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome , 28 (4), 225-235.doi:10.7570/jomes.2019.28.4.225
Welker, E., Lott, M., & Story, M. (2016). The school food environment and obesity prevention: progress over the last decade. Current Obesity Reports , 5 (2), 145-155.doi:10.1007/s13679-016-0204-0
Xu, F., Marchand, S., Corcoran, C., DiBiasio, H., Clough, R., Dyer, C. S., et al. (2017). A community-based nutrition and physical activity intervention for children who are overweight or obese and their caregivers. Journal of Obesity , 2017 .doi:10.1155/2017/2746595
