Adopt a School

Approximately 1 in 6 children and teenagers in the United Kingdom are obese. Some data indicate that obesity among children is on the increase. The second National Children and Youth Fitness Study found 6-9 year olds to have thicker skinfolds than their counterparts in the 1960s (Ross & Pate, 1987). During the same period, others documented a 54 percent increase in the prevalence of obesity among 6-11 year olds (Gortmaker, Dietz, Sobol, & Wehler, 1987).

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat. Obesity is present when total body weight is more than 25 percent fat in boys and more than 32 percent fat in girls (Lohman, 1987). In response to this growing situation Energie Fitness will be linking with St Walburgas Catholic Primary School in a bid to get more children, more active, more often.

Adopt a school is a new government funded programme run by the Fitness Industry Association, a non-for-profit trade body representing 1700 health clubs/leisure centres. St Walburgas Catholic Primary School pupils will have access to a variety of facilities and expert advise at their local club and the program will run from January 06.

The programme provides information for the children on how to adopt a healthy lifestyle including nutritional advice and details on the benefits of physical activity.

All participants will be asked to record their achievements in an online diary to monitor improvements in activity and nutrition. If you are interested in nominating your school or your child’s school to be adopted then just call ....