Childhood obesity is a serious problem in Anguilla, as it is worldwide. Obesity is a complex condition, with medical, social, and psychological ramifications. Studies show that as much as 77% of overweight and obese children remain so into adulthood. Certain non-communicable diseases – diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, joint disease – are directly linked to obesity. Aside from the harmful effects to the individual, these diseases put a major strain on health care and business/commerce, as more and more people require medical care and sick leave.

School Health Services recognizes the need for immediate intervention to fight childhood obesity. Recent data (May 2008) revealed that 15% of grade 6 students are overweight and 23% are obese. At the kindergarten level (data from September 2008) 15% of all kindergarten children are overweight and 15% are obese. Male students in both grades had a slightly greater incidence of both overweight and obesity than female students.

The procedure used to determine weight status was obtaining Body Mass Index (BMI) for children. After obtaining the children’s height and weight, the BMI was calculated using a formula specific for children. This number was then plotted on the CDC Body Mass Index-for-age charts, placing a child in one of four categories: underweight, healthy weight, overweight or obese.

Unhealthy eating habits and a decline in physical activity are the main reasons for obesity in both children and adults. With that in mind, School Health Services aims to help children achieve and maintain a healthy weight. The Healthy Snack Day has been implemented in the Primary schools for several years now, but this is not enough. In order for obesity to be eradicated, or at least significantly reduced, the concept of a healthy lifestyle must be embraced by all members of the community. This means parents, teachers, vendors, grocery store owners, NGO’s such as Optimist and Rotary – everyone – must understand and acknowledge the seriousness of childhood obesity.

Perhaps the most important influence on children’s lifestyle are parents/guardians. What is cooked at home and foods provided for snacks affects the health of the entire family. If children are offered healthy choices from the earliest days, healthy choices will become habit. Also, children learn by example. If they witness their role models (parents, teachers) making healthy choices, then quite likely they too will make healthy choices. The same holds true for exercise. Adults and children alike should get at least 30 minutes of vigorous exercise a day. Children whose parents regularly exercise are much more likely to be physically active themselves.

Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as smoking tobacco, using drugs, excessive alcohol consumption, eating foods with little or no nutritional value and being sedentary are being witnessed by many children on a daily basis. In order to stop the cycle, adults must discard their unhealthy lifestyle habits. Not necessarily easy to do, but a sincere effort must be made if we want our children to grow up and be healthy.

At the school level, School Health Services has a dream of school meal programs for both breakfast and lunch, vending machines stocked with healthy foods and beverages, so students would remain on school premises where healthy food choices are accessible. Not this year, not next, but hopefully in 10 years time this can be achieved. In the meantime, School Health Services urges parents and the entire community to make the choice of a healthy lifestyle. Educate our children on why this is so important and lead by example.

-Contributed by School Health Services, Education Department

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