Obesity Among Elementary, Middle, and High School Students Continues to Rise... "Worsened by COVID-19"

Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education to Hold Online Obesity Camp on the 7th of Next Month
Applications Open Until the 23rd... Participants Notified Individually After the 26th

Photo by Asia Economy DB

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunju Lee] As the obesity rate among elementary, middle, and high school students nationwide continues to rise, it is expected that the impact of the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) this year will likely worsen student obesity levels.

According to the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education, the obesity rate based on health examination results analyzed by the Ministry of Education increased from 13.6% in 2017 to 15.1% in 2019 among elementary, middle, and high school students. The student obesity rate in Seoul also showed a similar trend, rising from 13.8% in 2017 to 14.2% in 2019.

The Metropolitan Office of Education pointed out that the reduction of school physical activities due to COVID-19 this year is likely to exacerbate student obesity. A representative from the office stated, "Domestic and international research results continue to report that obesity and COVID-19 are closely related in the era of COVID daily life."

In response to this trend, the School Health Promotion Institute under the Metropolitan Office of Education announced that it will conduct a "Parent-Accompanied Obese Student Camp" in cooperation with specialized hospitals. The camp will be held online via video conference from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. on the 7th, targeting 100 fifth and sixth grade elementary school students and 100 parents.

The camp includes accurate student obesity diagnosis and understanding by obesity specialists, dietary therapy by nutrition experts, real-time video sessions on making healthy snacks, and exercise experiences that can be done at home. If professional counseling is needed, specialist consultations will be supported after the camp ends.

The application period for the camp is from the 12th to the 23rd. Applicants can apply by filling out the application form sent home by the school and submitting it to the school. Participants will be confirmed after the 26th and individually notified to students and parents.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.