Framework physical education,
school nutrition policy approved
PHILIPSBURG--The Executive Council has given its nod of approval for a framework school nutrition and physical education policy.
The policy was compiled after a health study at local schools found that a worrying percentage of children either were overweight or underweight, had dental or vision problems, or were not up to date with their immunisations.
An inventory of schools also revealed that the school-going population was at risk of developing health-related consequences of being obese and the environment of schools might play a role in children’s eating habits, with most schools having restaurants, snack bars and supermarkets in close proximity.
The framework policy outlines steps that should be taken to reverse the trend, to create more healthy and health-conscious children, so that the future population can be in good health.
Sector Health Care Affairs’ (SHCA’s) Youth Health Care section conducted the health study over the years 2005-2006 and the school inventory in 2004.
The screening programme was conducted among 415 five-year-olds and 445 ten-year-olds. The parents of 41 five-year-olds and 60 ten-year-olds didn’t want their child to be part of the screening.
Of the five-year-olds screened, 57 (14 per cent) were overweight; 30 (7 per cent) were underweight; 58 (14 per cent) had dental problems and 49 (12 per cent) had vision problems.
Of the 445 ten-year-olds, 139 (31 per cent) were overweight; 13 (3 per cent) were underweight; 63 (14 per cent) had dental problems and 66 (15 per cent) had vision problems.
The screening showed that there had been an increase in the number of overweight children in comparison to previous findings. Obese persons are at higher risk of developing other diseases during their lifetime and a highly obese youth population is not a good sign for the island’s future population.
Of the 5,661 students in SHCA’s registry at the time of the study, 1,157 needed a diphtheria, tetanus and poliomyelitis (DTP) booster. Vaccinations were administered to 918 students. There was no information about 317 students and no information was submitted by parents when requested. Three students were “behind schedule” and were “put to catch up schedule.”
The findings showed that the parents of 239 students refused to have the vaccine administered to their children, there was no information on 371 students, and 610 students were not up to date with their immunisations, roughly 10 per cent of the school population.
Some nine per cent of the school population was also not up to par with the first or second doses of measles, mumps and rubella (MMR) vaccine.
The first dose of MMR is administered at 14 months and the second at nine years.
Of the 5,661 students in SHCA’s register at the time of the study, 116 still needed their first dose of MMR. It was administered to 87 during the programme, and 29 didn’t receive it because their parents didn’t give consent.
Some 606 students needed the second dose of MMR, but only 502 were given it because the parents of 102 didn’t give consent.
No information was available on 367 students and no information was provided when requested.
International standards require that at least 95 per cent of a population be vaccinated to reduce the possibility of a virus spreading.
The oral hygiene programme is carried out to promote oral and dental health among children. Emphasis is placed on prevention and education.
The programme includes giving information and instructions about oral health and is designed for elementary schoolchildren from kindergarten through first grades.
Some 2,124 students participated in the first information session in 2005-2006 and were given information about why teeth are important, plaque, cavities, eating habits and brushing instructions. For one week following the session, children had to practise proper brushing at home with their parents.
In the second session, attended by 1,918 students, goody bags containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, cup, colouring puzzle/paper and a sugarless gum were given to each student.
The inventory of primary and secondary schools in 2004 showed that some schools lacked facilities for physical activities for students, with some not even having gym halls; their environment did not support healthy eating habits; and unhealthy foods were served in canteens.
The inventory was made to assess the school facilities, policies and guidelines promoting physical activities. The information gathered will be used to create policies.
Some 58 documented and undocumented schools were contacted, but only 18 (43 per cent) responded: five primary, two kindergarten, seven integrated (Foundation-Based Education schools), and four secondary schools.
Some 13 (32 per cent) of those surveyed reported having a supermarket in close proximity to their premises, 50 per cent a restaurant, and 89 per cent a snack bar.
Only 40 per cent of the schools surveyed reported having gym facilities on their premises. None of the kindergarten schools had one and only two of the secondary schools had. One primary school said that while it didn’t have gym facilities, it had access to L.B. Scott Sports Auditorium and a basketball court adjacent to the school. All kindergarten schools had gated and/or fenced playgrounds with facilities like swings, monkey bars, slides and climbers.
Seventeen of the 18 schools responded to the question whether they had a free meal plan for students. Only two integrated and primary schools said they provided free meal plans. One subsidised school said students were required to pay an additional US $10 for this service.
Attempts were also made to find out what foods were sold on school premises, but not all schools responded to this question. The majority of respondents said sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, fruit juices, fruit drinks, water and sodas were sold on their premises. It was not determined which of these items sold more frequently.
With most successful weight reduction programmes being a combination of diet, exercise and behaviour modification, it was recommended that schools incorporate principles, skills training about healthy eating and regular exercise at schools; incorporate nutrition education and physical activity into healthy lifestyle programmes in schools; and encourage management teams in schools to develop policies to support healthy diet and lifestyle choices.
