By Kate Bruce-Lockhart
Canada’s children are more obese than ever.
Since 1981, the rate of overweight and obese children has increased by more than 300 per cent. Children are adopting sedentary lifestyles and unhealthy eating habits. They turn to chocolate bars, TV and computers, rather than fruits, veggies and physical activity. If obesity rates continue to rise, millions of Canadians will be facing problems such as hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, and coronary heart disease.
Shrawan Khanna has worked in education for years. He currently works in administration at Glenlyon Norfolk School in Victoria, and he is working to increase health consciousness. Various programs in the school foster an understanding of the importance of healthy choices.
“Health education and personal planning offer advice on how to take care of your body and how to eat well,” says Khanna. “As a school, we have eliminated unhealthy options such as soft drinks, deep fried foods, and we’ve tried to highlight vegetables, fruit and pure juices.”
Childhood obesity must be addressed if we want to protect the health of future generations. The education system plays an important role in this. Schools have the responsibility to teach children about healthy living, and to provide avenues in which they can practice it.
Khanna recognizes that healthy eating isn’t the only tool in combating obesity.
"We mandate that students take physical education until grade eleven. We have a diverse athletic program. We try and offer as many programs to students as possible.” Team and individual sports provide kids with the tools to get active. Building relationships with teammates and reaching personal goals motivates kids to exercise.
The final key in fighting obesity is knowledge. Khanna stresses that involvement with the students is key. “As a school we encourage open-minded thinking, allowing students to question corporate involvement, how they market their products and target young people. When they have a better understanding, they can make better choices.”
