Approximately 2,000 elementary and high school students gathered at Manchester High School for National School Mobility Day, which focuses on promoting physical activity and healthy living among school-age children.
School Moves Day, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Wellness. Education and Youth inspires the prioritization of physical activity and its importance in the overall health, well-being, and performance of the student population.
The event also highlights the importance of stakeholder and community support in promoting healthy lifestyles among students.
“We want to educate students across Jamaica on how to incorporate physical activity and healthy eating into their daily lives, especially in light of data showing that half of the student population over the age of 15 is overweight. We want to show what we can do,” the Health Minister said. and Wellness Dr. Christopher Tufton.
A study conducted for the Jamaica Health and Lifestyle Survey III (2016/17) found that the prevalence of obesity among Jamaicans aged 15 and above was 28.6%.
It was also found that 32.6% of Jamaicans over the age of 15 consume sugary drinks at least once a day.
“Childhood obesity remains a widespread concern, with a tendency to persist into adolescence and adulthood, with serious and lasting health consequences,” he continued.
According to the Jamaican school-based Global Student Health Survey 2017 fact sheet, a significant proportion of school-age children (13-15 years) lead a sedentary lifestyle, with 56.4% sitting for more than three hours each day. I’m living a lonely life. In fact, only 23.2% of people get the recommended 60 minutes of physical activity each day.
Meanwhile, School Moves Day 2024 included an obstacle course, physical activity challenge, food sampling, group training, dance competition, and body mass index (BMI) measurement. It also provided opportunities for students, educators, and parents to participate in informative exhibits promoting healthy lifestyles, nutrition, and disease prevention.
.
In addition, selected elementary and high schools from Ministry of Education and Youth Region 5 and other regions were invited to present physical activity initiatives and live demonstrations.
Physical activity has a positive relationship with cognitive functions such as memory and executive function, as well as academic performance. Other benefits include improved cardiovascular fitness, muscle strength, bone health, and mental health.
