Teachers Role in Addressing/Preventing Obesity Essay Example

these health risk factors are identified in middle childhood they tend to carry over into adolescence and adulthood . Physical activity is also vital for children aged 6-10 to improve psychological well-being, including gaining more self-confidence, higher self-esteem and refining cognitive performance - . As many physical activities are performed in groups or teams, children learn about cooperation, communication, perspective taking, leadership skills and promoting social development .

“Teachers play a key role in equipping children with the skills and knowledge hey will need to participate fully in working and social life ”. “Teachers can also play an important role in encouraging children to be physically active by incorporating health-oriented messages into their lesson plans. Increasing the amount of physical activity at school each day can lay the foundation for children to have a positive view on physical fitness” . Obesity is an important issue within our society and as such a teacher should be addressing the issue and educating their students about the problems associated with the disease.From a child’s point of view their teacher is a role model and should be leading by example. A teacher must have a positive outlook on healthy eating, physical activity and encourage the children to have a positive self-image.

From a parents perspective the teacher is an educator and should be providing the children with relative nutritional information and opportunities for the children to participate in physical activity throughout the school day.Read lifetime fitness mission statementSchools have been recognized as an appropriate setting for the prevention of eating disorders and child obesity due to the continual and concentrated access

to a large number of individuals at a developmentally appropriate age . Society can only benefit from the positive role of a teacher in addressing and preventing obesity, as healthy children grow into healthy adults who are better able to serve society as a whole. It also reduces the strain on the health and welfare system.

The direct and indirect costs of obesity and obesity related illnesses in 2008/2009 were estimated at $37. billion. It is estimated that 7,200 Australians die each year due to obesity and related illnesses . A way in which teachers could assist in addressing and/or preventing obesity in middle childhood aged children is to emphasise the positive attributes of the child, helping to create a healthy self-image through support and encouragement.

Overweight children also need to understand they're not in it alone — that teachers are always in their corner and that other kids are waging the battle against added weight, too .Teachers can never tease, demean, or make negative comments about student’s shortcomings, but instead, offer praise and encouragement about positive attributes and efforts. A teacher can be a role model for healthy self-esteem by showing children a love of themselves . Puhl ; Latner discuss that social consequences may appear in a child who is overweight or obese such as peer torment, name calling and exclusion from games and social activities. Researchers assert discrimination of overweight children is just as serious an issue as racial discrimination or discrimination against children with physical disabilities and must be discouraged ,Using whole school resources and working as a team, schools and teachers can play a critical role in providing a health-promoting environment, healthy

food options and practical strategies to help students engage in physical activity and healthy eating.

Not only is it the role of a classroom teacher but also that of the physical education, school nurse, principle and teachers aids as they have formal and informal access to a large number of young people in an environment that stimulates discussion and allows for lessons about body image, nutrition, and weight control .Teachers also have the chance to initiate the reinforcement of prevention programs using the whole school approach - . As a group there is a need to evaluate the school’s health policies and programs and develop a plan for improvement. Parent education. As in every stage of a child’s life, their primary care-givers should lead by example as children look up to their role models.

Programs are currently being run in the UK that support training teachers and support staff in food education as well as enrolling kids in healthy breakfast clubs, introducing cycle training and healthy eating after school classes for parents and their 9-10 year olds . The introduction of Food Technology classes for this age group could become a valuable learning tool which may lead to a change in the whole families eating habits. Teachers could offer parent education nights informing primary care givers of the need for good nutrition, healthy eating, and a healthy and active lifestyle.If their primary care givers lead healthy active lives themselves, the children will once again learn by example and will learn healthy habits that may last a lifetime. Obesity is a major concern in schools today, and without some crucial preventative measures this epidemic will only magnify. Teachers

and school personnel have a valuable contribution to make in addressing and prevention of middle childhood obesity.

Parents also hold a fundamental role in addressing obesity in their children. Physical activity and nutrition play a critical role in reducing the obesity epidemic that is sweeping the nation.