Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member Yuseongsoo Proposes Ordinance for 'Student Obesity Prevention Education'

Obesity with High Risk of COVID-19 Infection Requires Preventive Education and Measures

Yuseong-su, Jeonnam Provincial Assembly Member

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Lee Jun-kyung] Yoo Seong-su, Chair of the Education Committee of the Jeonnam Provincial Council, announced on the 7th that he has taken the lead in proposing the "Jeollanam-do Office of Education Student Obesity Prevention Education Ordinance" to systematically manage student obesity prevention education, which is scheduled to be submitted as an agenda item to the Education Committee at the 347th extraordinary session on the 13th.

According to data submitted by the Jeonnam Office of Education on the 7th, the rates of mild and severe obesity among elementary, middle, and high school students in Jeonnam over the past three years were 18.1% in 2017, 19.5% in 2018, and 21.1% in 2019. In particular, as of last year, the obesity rate was highest among high school students (24.9%), with one in four students classified as obese.

Chairman Yoo Seong-su plans to take the lead in proposing an ordinance for obesity prevention education programs and improving student lifestyle habits as the obesity rate among Jeonnam elementary, middle, and high school students increases every year.

This ordinance includes ▲establishing a comprehensive student obesity management plan ▲building a cooperative system related to obesity prevention education ▲conducting training on obesity prevention education for faculty and parents ▲developing obesity prevention education materials and programs.

Chairman Yoo said, “A study from the University of North Carolina in the United States found that obese individuals have a 46% higher risk of contracting COVID-19,” adding, “The World Health Organization (WHO) designated obesity as a disease requiring treatment and a new infectious disease of the 21st century in 1996. The Ministry of Health and Welfare also designates October 11 every year as ‘Obesity Prevention Day’ to raise awareness of obesity prevention, so schools urgently need to focus on obesity prevention.”

He continued, “With the spread of COVID-19, the time spent at home has increased, leading to a rapid decrease in physical activity and changes in eating habits, which have heightened the risk of obesity among students,” adding, “Childhood obesity causes various complications including respiratory problems and often leads to adult obesity, so early prevention is important.”

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