Critically discuss the process of planning Health schools program Assignment

Critically discuss the process of planning Health schools program which is examining ways of addressing the growing problem of c - Assignment Example In the United States, childhood obesity is now the most widespread chronic disorder in children. In 2003, the health Survey of England has also reported that the obesity among 2-10 years old was recorded as 27.7% and 13.7% respectively. Genetic characteristics may increase the tendency of the child to have excess body weight but it is applicable only in few of the cases (Farooqi, 2005). According to the 1999-2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from last three decades, the genetic characteristics of the humans have not changed. However, in the same period the prevalence of obesity has tripled among children. The other factor that causes the imbalance is behaviour. It can be caused by the excess intake of energy in the form of junk food and sugar-sweetened drinks. In addition to this, if the children are not participating in physical activities during schools, this may play a major part in consuming high calories. Other than this, children spend more time in front of television, computers, and cellular telephones (Zametktn, Zoon, Klein, and Munson, 2004). It requires little activity and may lower the children’s metabolic rate. Moreover, they tend to make unhealthy food choices because of excessive exposure of food advertisement. Schools alone cannot solve the obesity epidemic, but it is unlikely to achieve it without strong school-based programs and policies. This is because around 90 % of children are enrolled in the schools and if they develop the habit of good appetite from the beginning, only then they would be able to continue it for the rest of their life. Schools are the basic primary institutions for every field possible; hence, we can say that they can play a vital role in controlling the obesity epidemic (National Association of State Boards of Education, 2004). Initial statement of the issue In the past 30 years, the percentage of obesity has more than doubled in the children and its ratio has tripled among adolescents. Among c hildren between 6 -11 years, the frequency of obesity in 1980 was 6.5% (National Center for Health Statistics, 1999) whereas, in 1998 it has reached to 19.6%. Among adolescents, 12-19 years of age, obesity has increased from 5.0% to 18.1% in the respective years (National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Adolescent and School Health, 2010). In the pre-school children among the age group of 2-5 years, the obesity rate has increased from 5% –10.4% between the years of 1976-1980. In years from 2007- 2008, for 6 -11 years old children the rate has increased from 6.5% -19.6% (Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity, National Centre for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 2010). It is expected that the ratio of obesity in children will continue to increase if certain concrete steps are not taken against it. Therefore, on the government as well as private level, certain steps must be taken in order to move towards heal thy society. Quantify the issue In recent years, obesity has turned out to be a serious health concern for children. There are several factors involved in this process. It is seen that obesity can influence the academic development of the children. In a study, it was found that at the kindergartner’s level, overweight children were found to score significantly less in maths and in reading as compare to their non-overweight class fellows