​P.A
Physical Activity In Primary Schools
HERE TO HELP YOU GET KIDS
INVOLVED​​​
​IN PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!
OBESITY ISSUES
Physical activity is beginning to be pushed aside as there is an increase for more teaching hours on the core subjects of English and Mathematics and students are preferring to spend more of their time sitting in front of the television rather than engaging in physical activity. This is concerning as the obesity rate in New Zealand is increasing every year.
Obesity is becoming a huge problem in New Zealand and with more children becoming inactive at school and at home the statistics will keep on increasing. New Zealand is the third most obese country in the world behind United States of America and Mexico. Recent statistics from the Ministry of Health, (2012) show that obesity has increased to 28% for adults (aged 15 years and over) and 10% for children (aged 2-14 years). In addition a further 21% of children were overweight. One of the main statistics is that 31% of children in New Zealand are overweight or obese. The main reason for the increase in obesity is because people have a poor diet and are becoming more and more inactive. This is an alarming factor that has seen an increase in health related issues from younger ages that become more life threatening in adulthood. Many children are now engaging in sedentary lifestyles with the increase in technology. Children are watching more television, playing video games and abandoning playing outside (Kimbro, Brook-Gunn, & McLanahan, 2011). These children and quite possibly their parents don’t realise the short term and long term consequences of being sedentary. Short term effects for obese children include social and psychological problems, medical morbidity and orthopaedic problems such as poor posture, flat feet and back pain (Cale & Harris, 2013). Whereas long term the consequences of obesity for individuals that are inactive increases the risk of; diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, asthma. Furthermore as children grow into adults, inactivity increases the risk of dying prematurely, dying of cardiovascular disease and developing colon cancer (Hamilton, Healy, Dunstan, Zederic, & Owen, 2008).
Physical activity also helps increase self-esteem, confidence and social and cognitive thinking. A study by Tremblay, Inman, & Willms (2000) stated that physical activity increases self esteem and confidence. Also to not both males and females who were more active resulted in considerably higher levels of self esteem. For some students their self esteem levels through their youth years tends to decline especially in females as they go through a lot of change within their body. The last thing they would want to do is participate in physical activity. However those individuals with low self esteem may benefit from participating in physical activities with their pairs as it may help with them get through that difficult time (Tremblay et al., 2000). A study by Tasker (2006) investigated the relationship between the student’s perceptions of learning health education and the proposed key competencies. Students within the study stated that engaging in physical activities enabled them to develop confidence, interact with a wide range of people, enjoyment of working as a team and attempting challenges to bringing change to their community. The students also stated that the learning in health education is somewhat different to the other subjects as it gives them an opportunity to learn essential values that prepare them for their future. This study further reiterates the need for physical activity within schools.
'Battle of the Bulge'
Waikato primary school children however are fighting against the childhood obesity. Every primary school in the region has joined an initiative formed by the Waikato District Health Board and Sport Waikato. The healthy exercise and nutrition programme is called Project Energized. The lead researcher Elaine Rush said the project was unique. "It is successful because it looks to the future," she said. "It is not looking for a three-year fix. The vision of the project was to reduce the burden of chronic disease at an intergenerational level," she said. Rush believes long term there will be a reduction in the incidence of obesity and other "lifestyle diseases" such as diabetes, strokes and heart attacks.
"Project Energize is so practical. It shows people how to do rather than what to do and no child is left out. It's really changing the ethos of the community, it works with supermarkets, people, parents, children and teachers." Since the programme's inception, Waikato primary school children have recorded a 3 per cent lower obesity rate than the national average.
Final Message :
So if Waikato primary schools are the leaders in fighting the childhood obesity scare, then why aren’t other schools in New Zealand doing the same thing?