title: [Experiences of a nation-wide integrated program for healthy body weight among students].
abstract: Taiwan has good support systems for obesity prevention and management. The percentage of elementary school students with normal body weight, however, has undergone a sustained decrease to 55%. Many factors are associated with this trend, such as lack of physical activity, dissatisfaction with body image, unbalanced dietary pattern, and unsupportive environment. Even though the rate of overweight and obesity is under control, the rate of underweight among girls has undergone a sustained increase, to 28%. Nurses therefore organized the "Aid students to fit" project, which emphasizes the bipolar issue of overweight and underweight. This national project is sponsored by the Ministry of Education and is expected to establish a beneficial environment, in which students can easily adopt healthy lifestyles and increase self-esteem. The program incorporates the AID triangle concept (Active, Image, Diet) and five strategies for achieving the goals. These strategies are: 1. Develop a persuasive statement to fit in with the philosophies of parents, students and teachers. 2. Set up measurable behavior indices and slogans. (Active life: 210 minutes per week. Image: confident and elegant. Diet: balanced and wise choice of low fat and high fiber foods.) 3. Establish a nation-wide interactive surveillance system for body weight control. 4. Develop an internet system that emphasizes tailored case management for overweight students. 5. Develop a supportive teaching plan, material, and aids to promote a healthy school environment. Five modeling schools, moreover, can be used to demonstrate the program. Educators can also download a free teaching plan, material, and aids at the website for healthy weight management (www.ym.edu.tw/active/aid). The authors brought together scholars from eight universities to accomplish the program. In support of the program, the Taiwan Ministry of Education addressed the new recommendation for physical activity which is to engage in moderate intensity physical activity every day for 30 minutes. We also shared this unique Asian experience at the round table discussion addressing the practical and policy issues of implementing public health strategies to reduce physical inactivity and prevent obesity in children. This was hosted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the World Health Organization (WHO) Collaborating Center for Physical Activity in order to establish declarations and recommendations for the prevention of obesity in children.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Community Health Nursing, National Yang-Ming University, ROC. ymliou@ym.edu.tw
authors.forename: Yiing Mei
authors.initials: YM
authors.lastname: Liou
authors.forename: Mei-Yen
authors.initials: MY
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Li-Chi
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Chiang
authors.forename: Li-Yin
authors.initials: LY
authors.lastname: Chien
authors.forename: Po-Lun
authors.initials: PL
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Yung-Tai
authors.initials: YT
authors.lastname: Hung
mesh_terms: D001835:Body Weight; D006293:Health Promotion; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D013334:Students; D013624:Taiwan / Q000453:epidemiology