Health Ministry: Obesity affects 33% of school students in Jordan aged 13-17

Joint committees from the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education, and Food and Drug Administration to monitor school canteens

Minister of Health Firas Al-Hawari revealed the results of the Global School-based Student Health Survey in Jordan for the 13-17 age group, which showed that 32.9% of students in this category suffer from overweight or obesity. The rate of overweight alone reached 20.8%, while the percentage of students suffering from obesity reached 12.1%.

The results also showed that only 12% of students in this age group engage in physical activity for more than 60 minutes daily during the week, while 31.5% of them did not participate in physical education classes at school. The rate of overweight among students in public schools reached 30.3%, compared to 42.5% in private schools.

The study was prepared for school students by the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, with support from the World Health Organization.

Al-Hawari stated that these results and health indicators shown by the survey prompted the Ministry of Health to take a set of measures in coordination with the relevant authorities, with the aim of improving the health and nutritional environment in schools, enhancing physical activity among students, and reducing risk factors associated with overweight, obesity, and lack of physical activity.

In this context, the Ministry sent a letter to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, which included health requirements for school canteens, along with lists of foods and beverages permitted and prohibited for sale to students, calling for their implementation.

In the letter, the Minister of Health specified these requirements and the food items and beverages permitted and prohibited for sale, contributing to improving the nutritional environment in schools and enhancing healthy choices for students.

The most prominent items prohibited for sale in school canteens included chips containing flavorings and processed materials, carbonated drinks of all kinds, energy drinks, in addition to beverages and juices prepared manually or containing dyes.

As part of the measures taken to strengthen oversight of canteens, the Ministry of Health sent another letter to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration, emphasizing the need to activate technical sub-committees specialized in monitoring school canteens.

These committees include representatives from the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, and the Jordan Food and Drug Administration. They are responsible for carrying out periodic field tours of canteens in public and private schools within each governorate to verify compliance with health requirements and approved lists of food and beverages.

In a related context, the Ministry of Health sent another letter to the Ministry of Education and Human Resources Development, requesting the promotion of physical activity in schools as an essential part of the school day, in response to the survey results showing a decline in students' levels of physical activity, and as part of the Ministry's efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases and their associated risk factors.

The Ministry also requested adherence to physical education classes and their regular activation at all academic levels, and not to replace them with other requirements or classes. It also called for activating the morning assembly and break periods by including light physical exercises and interactive activities that encourage students to move during the school day.

It also called for encouraging school sports activities and tournaments, and expanding the base of participation to include all students without exception, while providing a safe, equipped, and stimulating school environment for physical activity.

It also emphasized the importance of raising students' awareness of the importance of physical activity and its health benefits, and utilizing various available means to instill healthy behaviors in them, contributing to the prevention of overweight and obesity and enhancing their long-term health.