Integrated Management of Adolescent Obesity... Gangbuk-gu Operates Health Promotion Schools

Morning Health Habits, Integrated Health Classes, Physical Activity Environment Creation, Designated Essential Projects for Health and Fitness Challenges... Beondong Elementary School Selected for This Year's Seoul Health Promotion School Contest

Students of Beondong Elementary School Walking to School in the Morning

[Asia Economy Reporter Jongil Park] Gangbuk-gu (District Mayor Park Kyum-soo) is launching a full-scale operation of a health promotion school that supports the prevention of adolescent obesity and proper physical development.

The health promotion school is an integrated system for preventing adolescent obesity, operated jointly by the public and private sectors. The health center, schools, and local community cooperate to support the formation of healthy lifestyle habits.

This year, three elementary schools in Seoul were selected through a Seoul city public contest. Among them, Beondong Elementary School in Gangbuk-gu was chosen as the project target.

The program consists of four essential projects: ▲Morning Healthy Habits ▲Integrated Health Classes ▲Creating an Environment for Physical Activity ▲Health Fitness Challenge. Any applicant within the school can participate. The Morning Healthy Habits program includes 10 minutes of exercise on the way to school and a healthy snack. Participating students walk two laps around the playground and receive a convenient meal package considering nutritional content. Members of the local walking club provide warm-up exercises and on-site guidance.

In the Integrated Health Classes, physical activity programs linked to the academic curriculum and education on proper eating habits for obesity prevention are provided. Facilities to activate physical activities within the school will also be installed. The district plans to set up an indoor climbing space that builds full-body strength and a virtual reality sports room by July.

The Health Fitness Challenge program measures individual health status through the Physical Activity Promotion System (PAPS) and offers customized prescriptions. Professional staff provide exercise prescriptions and dietary management tailored to students' personal goals such as improving fitness or reducing body fat. Students exceeding a certain body mass index in the PAPS measurement will receive services linked to obesity management programs at specialized hospitals.

Park Kyum-soo, Mayor of Gangbuk-gu, said, “It is highly meaningful that the local community has come together to support the healthy growth and lifestyle habits of adolescents,” and added, “We will continue to expand specialized health promotion programs so that students can live strong and energetic lives.”

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