Week 27
Trend influencing education in New Zealand or internationally
As educators we need to be constantly aware of trends that will influence how and what we teach our students. The future is inherently unpredictable and examining trends informs us about what might happen in the future, whilst giving us an understanding of what is currently taking place in educations wider environment. (OECD 2016)
The increasingly concerning trend that has captured my attention is that of childhood obesity. Trends have shown that the percentage of the population that is obese has increased in nearly all OECD countries. (OECD 2016)
Diabetes along with dementia are now the fastest growing causes of death across OECD countries. The trend shows that as more overweight children become obese adults diabetes rates will continue to grow along with heart disease and certain cancers.
The graph below highlights the accelerated rate of the obesity epidemic, with all the countries showing a steady growth in obesity.
As the graph shows New Zealand is no exception to the rule. In fact nearly a third of boys and girls in New Zealand are overweight or obese.
This concerning trend has my attention because the school in which I teach sits on the intersection on what is known as “obesity corner.” The reason for this nickname is we are surrounded by a KFC, McDonalds and Burger King. The smell from these places is often wofting around our school grounds and you will see the students with their noses in the air saying “mmmm yum”
Our former Principal Gerard Direen was very concerned and he has discussed the issues faced by our school being surrounded by so many fast food outlets in an article written by The Press, (2016)
The Annual Update of Key Results 2015/16: New Zealand Health Survey found that:
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one in nine children (aged 2–14 years) were obese (11%)
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a further 21% were children were overweight but not obese
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15% of Māori children were obese
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30% of Pacific children were obese
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children living in the most deprived areas were three times as likely to be obese as children living in the least deprived areas
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the child obesity rate increased from 8% in 2006/07 to 11% in 2014/15
These statistics are important to me because our school is a low decile school with a high Maori and Pacific island roll. I am teaching a group of children that, if trends continue are in a very high risk situation.
It is my role to teach my students about the effects of different types of food on our bodies, provide an exciting daily fitness plan and to role model a healthy lifestyle for these children. It is the responsibility of the school to provide information and guidelines to parents, as to what makes a healthy diet for children (many of our parents need this education too.)
The ministry of health who is taking notice of this obesity trend have launched a package in October 2015, that has three focus areas made up of 22 initiatives, to help combat the growing trend of childhood obesity. A very useful pyramid of these initiatives can be found here. Whilst the ministry of health focus on regular health checks before aged 5 years. The support seems to stop there, when it needs to follow through schooling too.
As schools become more focused on making academic targets there is a fear the importance of teaching health, fitness and well-being can take the back burner.
I definitely see a need for greater parent education and perhaps the schools need to fulfill these roles in order to protect our at risk students and put a stop to these frightening trends.
one in nine children (aged 2–14 years) were obese (11%)
a further 21% were children were overweight but not obese
15% of Māori children were obese
30% of Pacific children were obese
children living in the most deprived areas were three times as likely to be obese as children living in the least deprived areas
the child obesity rate increased from 8% in 2006/07 to 11% in 2014/15
New Zealand Health Survey (2015/16)http://www.health.govt.nz/publication/annual-update-key-results-2015-16-new-zealand-health-survey
OECD. (2016) Trends Shaping Education 2016, OECD Publishing, Paris. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.1787/trends_edu-2016-en
Well written and a very worrying trend.In many countries the children who live in poverty are malnourished and underweight. What causes ourchildren in poverty to be overweight? Something is definitely out of balance. I think you are onto something very relevant here.
ReplyDeleteKia ora Keryn,
ReplyDeleteYes this is becoming a big problem.
I think one of the main contributing factors is the rise in fast food restaurants popping around schools. I also think parents are 'to busy' to make tea, don't have the skills to cook or lack the education on what makes a healthy meal. Convenience of unhealthy food plays a major role too.
Access to entertainment technology such as tablets, phones, computers and game consoles play a significant part too. I recently saw something on the news where national sporting bodies found there was a decline in youth being involved in sports clubs. They put it down to the rise in the access to digital technologies.
As teachers we need to educate children about how to plan and make healthy meals for families and teach the importance of budgeting and how healthy meals can be less expensive than a standard take away.
I also think we need to make Physical Education a priority and not put it on the back burner because 'we don't have time'. I think it is important we try and get as many children into interschool and intraschool sport. We need to use this to spark an interest in sport and the benefits it can provide.
Great read Keryn
Cheers
Colin
Keryn
ReplyDeleteThis is very concerning and a reality for so many families. It seems to me what was once a Friday treat is now a regular staple as families seek convenience and price over quality.
Recently celebrities such as Shaun Johnson, Valerie Adams and Casey Kopua have got behind this global trend with the new initiative http://www.eatmovelive.govt.nz/ which attempts to provide ideas for parents to increase fitness and increase knowledge around 'good food'.
Initiatives such as this are fantastic but I find often become interventions which start strong but fizzle out due to the lack of strategic direction.