Beijing Teachers Tasked with Monitoring Obese Students
By Justine Lopez
Due to the rapidly climbing obesity rates among Beijing's youth, teachers in the capital are now responsible for keeping students within a normal weight range, China.org.cn reports.
Obesity rates among students in Beijing's primary and secondary schools were at 15.6 percent from September 2014 to July 2015. This number is 5.6 percent higher than it was five years ago, according to the Beijing Center for Diseases Prevention and Control (BCDPC).
In an effort to curb obesity in the capital, teachers in all of Beijing's districts are now “responsible for obesity prevention and control,” according to a recent statement released by the BCDPC.
The Beijing Health and Family Planning Commission and the Beijing Municipal Education Commission will also be working together on a new weight control project. Starting this month, the project will focus on students from select elementary and high schools.
School clinics will monitor students' weight each semester. Students who are overweight will be monitored more closely. Healthcare professionals will also educate students and parents about health, nutrition and exercise.
The increase in obesity among Beijing’s youth likely correlates to the former one-child policy. It's common for families to dote on only children and overfeed them.
"Children can get sufficient exercise at school. We even provide an extra hourlong sports class after school," said Zhang Yan, a doctor at one of Beijing’s schools. "But if children are fed too much – or eat too many salty snacks or sweet food at home – that will create a risk of getting fat."
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