Childhood Obesity

A serious epidemic is affecting the health of children in today’s society. It is not one of emotional or behavioural problems, learning delays or even bullying. It is the alarming rise of childhood obesity, and it is preventable. There is an estimated 1.5million people under the age 18 are considered overweight or obese in Australia. This means that around 20-25% of Australian children are considered overweight or obese. (Childhood Obesity in Australia – Alarming Statistics, 2006). One of the main contributors to the increase in overweight children in an excessive intake of calories compared to caloric expenditure. Simply put, young children are now making unhealthy-food choices and are not getting enough physical activity. So how, as teachers, can we address the importance of physical activity to children in Middle Childhood (6-10 years) and help try to prevent obesity in this age group?

Engaging in physical activity is beneficial for the physical development of a child aged 6-10years. In Middle Childhood, activity levels can sometimes reduce by up to 50% (McDevitt & Ormrod, 2010). Children in Middle Childhood can benefit tremendously from physical activity. Some of these benefits include building strong muscles and bones, improving balance and developing skills, maintaining and developing flexibility, improving cardiovascular fitness and helping maintain a healthy weight. Gross motor-skills such as kicking, catching, jumping, throwing and running can also be developed through physical activity (Active Kids are Healthy Kids: Australia’s physical recommendation’s for 5-12 year olds, 2004). As shown in McDevitt (2010, p187.), it is in the Middle Childhood when a child’s growth rate slows down, and the child begins to put his or hers motor skills to excellent use.

The cognitive and social/emotional developments of children in Middle Childhood can also reap the benefits associated with physical activity. Bergen and Coscia (2001) point out that whilst observing...