Awareness of obesity in girls' secondary schools

Abstract

In the last decade the number of overweight children and adolescents has increased dramatically, particularly in Western societies. Grech, (2007) argues that 'up to 250 million people worldwide; that is 7% of the global population are obese' (p5). The alarming rates of co-morbidities that usually are associated with the adult population are now affecting children from a very young age. This research focuses on the numerous factors that are causing this epidemic in Maltese girls of secondary school age. It shows that the most common factors that impact a child's energy balance are: bad eating habits and parental behavioural patterns in shopping, cooking, and exercising. The media and its influence on adolescent girls are also discussed and the importance of improving healthy eating policies within schools is also highlighted. The importance that Heads of School and Home Economics/ P.E. teachers give to good nutrition and regular participation in physical activity is analysed. Results show that professionals working in schools are aware that the problem of obesity is growing and that new school policies can be applied to help prevent this problem. Suggestions and ideas given by interviewed people show that by increasing physical activity within the school curriculum to at least one hour daily, as recommended by WHO (2009), as well as by exercising control on the school tuck shops, positive results can be obtained.