The number of overweight and obese eight-year-olds increased from 32.2 percent to 32.2 percent. in 2018 to 35.3 percent. in 2021. Elevated systolic blood pressure occurs in 27.1 percent. of the surveyed second-grade students, and higher values of diastolic blood pressure – in 21.9 percent. The data was collected under the DINO-PL programme [1] (Diagnosis – Intervention – Hypertension – Obesity), implemented from the funds of the National Health Program for 2021-2025.
Talks were held not only with students, but also with parents from 109 schools in 16 voivodships in Poland. Many adults have noticed that their children are spending more time in front of screens than they did before the pandemic. They made it clear that it was for non-science purposes. The youngest sit in front of phones and tablets both during the week and at weekends. What is sad, the time they spend after school on active play in the fresh air has decreased.
Prevention is the most important
Obesity is a lifestyle disease that can cause many serious health complications. Possible consequences include diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary artery disease, stroke, respiratory disorders and joint degeneration. Unfortunately, the scale of the phenomenon is still expanding. And it’s starting to affect younger and younger people. According to data from the Institute of Nutrition and Food from 2018 [2] Polish children are among the fastest fattening in Europe.
Promotional material
According to data from the WHO European Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative (COSI) [3] – the biggest problem related to being overweight concerns students from the first grade of primary school, which in turn is often overlooked or simply not noticed by their parents.
Preventive examinations of children and youth, ie primarily screening tests and balance sheets, are definitely the basis that helps to select patients from the risk group. According to the findings of the Supreme Audit Office [4], in 2018 and 2019, such research covered only slightly more than 60 percent. the youngest. So we still pay too little attention to prevention. And she is the most important.
An important initiative
Therefore, it is very important to take actions which will not only introduce the problem of obesity and overweight among the youngest into the public debate, but also those which will bring about a real improvement in the situation. The brand that tries to help children and their parents is Decathlon. The company wants both to re-open the discussion about the needs of young Poles and to talk about how to cope and make changes. The most necessary ones.
Decathlon has become an official partner of the Healthy and Sport action. The most important goal of the campaign for the Day of Health is to increase parents’ and guardians’ awareness of the role of physical activity in the proper psycho-physical development of a child.
The program is aimed at many groups – both teachers, tutors and trainers of pre-school and early school children, as well as their parents and all carers. The action is needed and has found fertile ground. 14,000 teachers, 7,000 institutions and as many as half a million children have already participated in the project.
Sports events for all children
One of the partners of the action is the Decathlon Foundation, which has been operating around the world since 2005. 13 projects have already been implemented in Poland, and one of the most important is the Healthy and Sporty action. The Decathlon Foundation has been supporting this initiative since 2020 and distributes sports equipment to schools and kindergartens that have decided to join the program.
Promotional material
Decathlon is constantly encouraging facilities to join the initiative. In addition to the equipment needed by children, the brand organizes numerous sporting events. Their goal, of course, is to encourage regular physical activity.
In April, sports meetings will be held on the occasion of World Health Day, in Decathlon stores in Warsaw, Poznań, the Tri-City and in Silesia. In total, as many as 35 events will take place. Influencers also appear on them. If someone will not be able to go to Decathlon in person, they can participate in the online event and exercise in front of the camera!
The meetings were scheduled between 14 and 26 April. The exact schedule of events can be found here. So far, half a million children have been “mobilised”. But it’s really not over yet!
Decathlon is also preparing numerous special events. Among others, from 3 to 5 April and from 12 to 14 April, the brand will visit many Warsaw kindergartens. During meetings with parents, it will encourage children to practice sports together and distribute small gifts.
The motto that accompanies the company is a beautiful and much needed idea – “Let’s move the kids together”. Decathlon declares that by 2026 it wants to reduce the number of obese children in Poland by half.
[1] https://imid.med.pl/pl/do-pobrania
[2] https://www.pzh.gov.pl/serwisy-tematyczne/instytut-zywnosci-i-zywienia/
[3] https://www.who.int/europe/initiatives/who-european-childhood-obesity-surveillance-initiative-(cosi)
[4] https://www.nik.gov.pl/aktualnosci/obesity-and-overweight-u-dzieci-coraz-wiekszy-problem-coraz-mniej-effective-dzialania.html
Promotional material of the Decathlon brand
Source: Gazeta
Bruce is a talented author and journalist with a passion for entertainment . He currently works as a writer at the 247 News Agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
