In a recent directive, the University Grants Commission (UGC) asked universities to gather health-related data from students. The notice comes amid reports that India is the third most obese country in the world. Times NIE spoke to teachers on what their schools are doing to keep child obesity at bay...
We stress on physical activities: Our school conducts a lot of physical activities, aerobics exercises and PEC activities for primary school students. Regular counselling by health consultants is carried out for students.
Mukul Jha, principal, GD Salwan Public School, Delhi
Conduct awareness camps: We conduct awareness camps, invite doctors and people from the medical fraternity to advise children about the importance of following a healthy lifestyle.
Padmaja Limaye, teacher, Fr Agnel’s School, Vashi, Navi Mumbai
Regular health check-ups: We organise health/weight check-ups by a hospital on a regular basis. We target the few students who are obese and give them a remedial solution, by involving parents.
Anupama Vinod, teacher, Sadhu Vaswani Intl school, Pune
Exclusive health and hygiene club: Our school has a health and hygiene club which comprises students from class I onwards. Every day, 5 to 10 minutes are reserved for providing health and safety tips to students of all classes.
Kala D, Librarian, Ganga International School, Bengaluru
Health monitoring programme: Apart from creating a diet plan for primary class students, an annual health check-up and weight monitoring exercises are conducted by our in-house doctor and nurse.
Bandita Roy, educator, DPS, Ahmedabad
Focus on healthy tiffin: A ‘Healthy Tiffin Week’ is organised in every class on a monthly basis where the teacher chalks out a menu, according to which the child brings his/her tiffin.
Kavita C Das, principal, St John’s High School, Chandigarh
What US schools are doing
Standing desk in classrooms: According to a new study, standing desks in classrooms could help children maintain a healthy body weight. Besides, encouraging students to stand and move could help them develop healthy habits that may impact future obesity in adulthood. Therefore, some schools in Texas have introduced standing desks to make students more active
School gardens: Ever since this idea was championed by US First Lady Michelle Obama, it’s caught on around the country. Schools are promoting gardens to highlight the need to have fresh instead of packed and processed food
How to stay healthy
- Avoid maida-based foods like pizza, naan, white bread, etc
- Don’t spend your weekend couch surfing. Instead, go for a walk or play a round of some outdoor sport
- Avoid soft drinks and other sugary beverages such as synthetic fruit juices that are loaded with sugar
- Include green veggies and fresh seasonal fruits in your daily diet.Don’t skip meals. Small portions of food are advisable instead of two heavy meals
Views expressed by dieticians Ritika Samaddar,
Delhi & Gitanjali Shah, Ahmd
- India reportedly witnesses 10 mn cases of childhood obesity annually.
- Childhood obesity can lead to diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. 70 per cent of obese youth have at least one risk factor for cardiovascular disease
- Children and adolescents who are obese are at greater risk for bone and joint problems, sleep apnea, and social and psychological problems such as stigmatisation and alienation from their peer group
Are you aware of your BMI, Gen Z?
Being fitness conscious, I keep a constant check on my BMI which is average. To keep myself fit, I eat five to six small meals a day, jog for 30 minutes, practice yoga and ensure that green veggies are a part of my regular diet.
Mahak Jain, class XI, Sushila Birla Girls' School, Kolkata
I have a near-normal BMI count, so I don't bother too much about it. I don't pay too much attention to exercise. I may not be supermodel-fit but I've been maintaining my body weight for quite a long time now.
Haseena Parveen N, class X, Florence Public School, Bengaluru
Of course I know what BMI stands for! Fitness for me is not just about eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly – it is a value that has been instilled within me from the beginning. Ever since I can remember, fitness has been playing a crucial role in my life. I don't just prefer to be physically fit but also mentally fit.
Shreya Gakhar, class X, Mata Jai Kaur Public School, New Delhi
BMI which stands for body mass index, is an important factor in determining the health of a person. I pay attention to what I eat and how I exercise.
Jnanam Shah, Std X, SSRVM, Borivali (E), Mumbai