Overweight and obesity in Elementary School. Problem Solving Techniques

Fachbuch aus dem Jahr 2015 im Fachbereich Sozialwissenschaften allgemein, University of Ulster, Sprache: Deutsch, Abstract: This essay¿s aim is to focus on intervention strategies to solve the problem of overweight and obesity on an elementary school-based level. Schools play an essential role in the combat against and the prevention of childhood obesity for several significant reasons.

Overweight and obesity are determined as one of the biggest problems facing humankin, not least because it can cause psychological and social problems as well as severe health issues. Social and psychological problems include e.g. a distorted body image, discrimination and poor self-esteem, while physical illnesses include paediatric type 2 diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease and osteoarthritis.

With regards to the national level, statistics show that the problem is also very topical throughout the UK. According to Mikkelsen , approximately 19% of children in the UK are classified as being overweight and even 7% are classified as obese.

Since childhood obesity is a multi-faceted problem and is influenced by many sectors of society including e.g. families, health care providers, government, media and schools, it cannot be solved by just one sector on its own. Indeed, collaboration of all sectors is needed.