• Home

Poor food and no play fatten school students

Smoking at an early age, poor eating habits and low levels of physical activity are among the worrisome health behaviour revealed by an international school health survey.

In a major shift of perception over the past years, the majority of students admitted to having a sound knowledge of HIV/AIDs. Nearly 70 per cent of the students said they tried to quit smoking during the past year. However, the majority also said they were physically inactive most of the time and also did not walk or use their bicycles on their way to and from school. Also, over 50 per cent of the students said they never wore a seat belt while travelling in vehicle.

The findings of the second UAE Global School Health Survey (GSHS) 2010 conducted among 2,581 students of 52 public and private schools were made public by the Ministry of Health officials on Tuesday.

Both national and expatriate students aged between 13 and 15 were quizzed for the survey that took place from December 2009 to January 2010. As reported by Khaleej Times in February, nearly 80 per cent of the students admitted to having started smoking at the age of 14 or less. Only 10.7 per cent of students had smoked cigarettes in a day or more during the past 30 days.

The survey revealed that over 80 per cent of the students do not eat fruits and vegetables five or more times during a month. However, only 39.2 per cent of students are overweight while 15.5 per cent were obese. Male students were found to be more obese (19.8 per cent) than female students (12.4 per cent).

Terming the new data as ‘positive’, officials said the findings revealed ‘controllable’ levels of non-communicable diseases among the youth. Dr Mahmoud Fikri, Assistant Undersecretary of Health Policies and Legislation at the ministry, said the results of the survey would help in identifying priorities in developing health programmes.

“We can also identify trends and prevalence of health behaviour assess school health programmes to promote youth health,” he added. Contrary to reports, 55.1 per cent of the total students took breakfast daily. The survey also found that only 25.6 per cent students drank soft drinks twice or more per day while 21 per cent ate a meal from fast food restaurants three times or more in a week. However, only 17.2 per cent of the students admitted to exercising for at least 60 minutes a day in a week. Also, 79.5 per cent said they did not walk or use their bicycles on their way to and from school during the past seven days.A total of 84.8 per cent students said they had heard about HIV/AIDS. Also, 40.3 per cent said they discussed the disease with their parents or guardians. According to Dr Mariam Matroushi, Director of the School Health Department at the ministry, “All health issues concerning students were important.

“We are following a multi-factorial approach and will come up with policies that will benefit all.”

When asked about mental health, a total of 38 per cent students said they were depressed for two or more consecutive weeks during the past 12 months, 17.1 per cent said they felt lonely often or always while 16.7 per cent admitted that some reason often or always prevented them from sleeping during the past 12 months. The students were also quizzed on drug abuse and the lessons they had received on the subject.

Nearly 40 per cent of them said they were absent from school without an excuse a day or more during the past thirty days while 46.3 per cent students stated that their parents did not pay attention to their problems.

The ministry will also soon reveal a comparative study between the survey done in 2005 and 2010.

asmaalizain@khaleejtimes.com