Beijing Schools to Adopt Obesity Intervention Strategy

More than 80% of primary and secondary schools in Beijing will implement obesity intervention schemes to help overweight children keep fit, the Beijing News has reported.
Schools will need to organiSe one hour of physical exercise for overweight students every day and provide nutritious lunches, according to the five-year intervention plan being rolled out by Beijing's municipal health bureau.
The latest report on the health of Beijing residents shows that the obesity rate of school children in Beijing increased to 20.3% in 2010.
An accumulation of too much fat instigates early sexual development and stops children from growing properly, said Wen Fang, director of the Beijing School-Students' Consultant Centre.
In addition to these requirements, the Bureau has also asked schools to set up records tracking students with diseases that are common among adults, such as high blood pressure and diabetes. School doctors are to be responsible for checking students' health regularly, as well as urging them to seek medical assistance when necessary, and recording the results of treatment.