Health Promotion of School-Age Children with Obesity to Reduce Risks of Diabetes in School

Abstract

Physical, mental, and intellectual developments are essential in order for school-age children to have good health behaviors and ultimately achieve quality of life. At present, problems facing school-age children include obesity that leads to type 2 diabetes later on. As the obesity among school-age children incidence is increasing steadily each year, this group is at a higher risk of having major chronic non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and diseases related to diabetes including hypertension, heart diseases, stroke and other diseases when entering adolescence and adulthood. This article aims to provide information about obesity and diabetes in school-age children, causes, contributing factors, incidences, impacts, treatment principles, and guidelines for schools to assess children’s nutritional status, including referral guidelines for school-age children with these problems.

Health promotion for school-age children with obesity to reduce the risk of diabetes requires all sectors and stakeholders who must play a synchronized role in behavioral modifications. Starting in schools, dietary and physical exercises with school administrators, teachers, students, parents, and related persons are all knowledgeable, understanding, and becoming aware of the importance of promoting the health of school-age children are essential to solve the problems. Health promotion is important for a sustainable health behavior changes among school-age children providing a good health and readiness in learning and ultimately becoming adults who can provide benefits to the nation.