CHILDHOOD OBESITY IN INDIA

Summative Assessment of Obesity Prevention Program



Summative Assessment of Obesity Prevention Program

Obesity Prevention Program

There is a plan, name Fit & Healthy, which has been taken as an outline for preventing obesity Delhi. The program provides a framework which increases physical activity and improves nutrition. The programs include social service and health agencies, government, schools, communities and family and individuals. The program is designed with the following goals:

• Reduce portion sizes

• Decrease sedentary behaviours

• Reduce consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages

• Reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases associated with overweight and obesity

• Increase physical activity

• Reduce the proportion of people who are above a healthy weight

• Increase fruit and vegetable consumption

Our Vision for the Program

Organisations and agencies will make agreements to work together and provide leadership, commitment and active involvement to meet the Fit & Healthy children objectives.

Health Care

People of Delhi will be having a healthcare system that provides them with quality.

The measures for quality will involve interventions and evidence based assessments for reducing the proportion of people who are obese or over weight.

The care providers and health professionals will check and record the body mass index regularly and will provide routine counselling for patients.

Communities

There will be communities which will provide with physical activity and healthy eating.

There will be comprehensive plans for healthy eating and physical activity.

The programs will be organised and will be accessible to all the members of community.

The social welfare organisations will support healthy behaviours between members of the community.

Schools

The schools will have a physical activity and nutrition policy in place.

Schools will have services or programs based on their written policy.

Schools will collaborate with local partners to increase opportunities for nutrition and physical activity.

Families and Individuals

Families and Individuals will be completely informed and will have the skills to manage their health to prevent obesity and related diseases.

Families and Individuals will receive tools and messages that will increase skills and knowledge for physical activity and healthy eating.

Introduction

Obesity has reached the epidemic proportions internationally. Childhood obesity is a serious health problem facing children in India. Factors contributing to obesity range from the individual to community level, and include such things as personal food choices, family influence, and school/neighbourhood conditions. Taking an ecological approach to addressing childhood obesity considers personal, family, community, and societal factors that may increase one's likelihood of becoming obese. This approach includes schools as one ideal setting for promoting health.

Schools are an optimal setting for health promotion because large and diverse populations can be reached, and schools can target both physical activity and nutrition, two components essential for learning healthy behaviours and preventing obesity. Students spend the majority of their day in school, and often consume up to 40% of their daily basic food group intake in the school setting. Providing ample time for physical activity and offering nutritious foods in the cafeteria are two approaches to improving students' overall ...