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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/jul/18/schools-alone-cannot-solve-childhood-obesity-crisis-ofsted-warns
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| Schools alone cannot solve childhood obesity crisis, Ofsted warns | Schools alone cannot solve childhood obesity crisis, Ofsted warns |
| (4 months later) | |
| Schools cannot provide a “silver bullet” to tackle childhood obesity and should not be expected to solve society’s wider problems, the chief inspector of Ofsted has warned. | Schools cannot provide a “silver bullet” to tackle childhood obesity and should not be expected to solve society’s wider problems, the chief inspector of Ofsted has warned. |
| Amanda Spielman said teachers were already stretched and should not be distracted from their primary role as educators. She said that while schools could help encourage healthy lifestyles and exercise as part of the curriculum, they could not address all aspects of the obesity problem. | Amanda Spielman said teachers were already stretched and should not be distracted from their primary role as educators. She said that while schools could help encourage healthy lifestyles and exercise as part of the curriculum, they could not address all aspects of the obesity problem. |
| Research by Ofsted at 60 primary schools found no pattern to suggest school-level interventions alone, such as having an on-site kitchen or staff member leading on obesity issues, could be linked to certain levels of obesity. | Research by Ofsted at 60 primary schools found no pattern to suggest school-level interventions alone, such as having an on-site kitchen or staff member leading on obesity issues, could be linked to certain levels of obesity. |
| There were “too many factors beyond the school gate” for them to have a direct and measurable impact on children’s weight, said Ofsted’s report. | There were “too many factors beyond the school gate” for them to have a direct and measurable impact on children’s weight, said Ofsted’s report. |
| Spielman said schools had an important role to play in the fight against childhood obesity, by offering high-quality PE and emphasising healthy lifestyles. | Spielman said schools had an important role to play in the fight against childhood obesity, by offering high-quality PE and emphasising healthy lifestyles. |
| But she added: “We must also recognise that schools cannot provide a silver bullet for all societal ills. Teachers and school leaders are already stretched; they should not be held responsible for an issue that requires concerted action across the board. Families, government, industry, and other parts of the public sector all have a role to play in making food and drink healthier, and supporting children to make better choices.” | But she added: “We must also recognise that schools cannot provide a silver bullet for all societal ills. Teachers and school leaders are already stretched; they should not be held responsible for an issue that requires concerted action across the board. Families, government, industry, and other parts of the public sector all have a role to play in making food and drink healthier, and supporting children to make better choices.” |
| The report comes just weeks after the government published the second chapter of its childhood obesity strategy, which called for a united effort to halve childhood obesity by 2030. | The report comes just weeks after the government published the second chapter of its childhood obesity strategy, which called for a united effort to halve childhood obesity by 2030. |
| It was revealed this year that nearly twice as many children in year six were classed as severely obese as children in reception classes. Data showed that 22,646 (4%) of 556,452 children aged 10 and 11 were in the highest body mass index (BMI) category, nearly double the 14,787 (2%) of 629,359 children aged four and five. | It was revealed this year that nearly twice as many children in year six were classed as severely obese as children in reception classes. Data showed that 22,646 (4%) of 556,452 children aged 10 and 11 were in the highest body mass index (BMI) category, nearly double the 14,787 (2%) of 629,359 children aged four and five. |
| The Local Government Association said this showed children were gaining weight at a drastic rate as they progressed through school. | The Local Government Association said this showed children were gaining weight at a drastic rate as they progressed through school. |
| Spielman said: “It is essential that schools do not get distracted from their core educational purpose. Education for health is essential and must be done well. But this will not happen if schools are devoting time and energy to things in which they are neither expert nor likely to have an impact.” | Spielman said: “It is essential that schools do not get distracted from their core educational purpose. Education for health is essential and must be done well. But this will not happen if schools are devoting time and energy to things in which they are neither expert nor likely to have an impact.” |
| Inspectors found most schools across the country had responded to government initiatives concerning physical activity and healthy eating. Ofsted’s report urged staff to focus on “what schools do best”, including planning a broad curriculum incorporating lessons about the body and healthy eating. It said they should also teach skills such as cooking and dance, provide plenty of opportunities for students to “get out of breath” through physical activity, and keep parents updated on children’s physical development. | Inspectors found most schools across the country had responded to government initiatives concerning physical activity and healthy eating. Ofsted’s report urged staff to focus on “what schools do best”, including planning a broad curriculum incorporating lessons about the body and healthy eating. It said they should also teach skills such as cooking and dance, provide plenty of opportunities for students to “get out of breath” through physical activity, and keep parents updated on children’s physical development. |
| Parents have told Ofsted they want more time for PE in the curriculum; a quarter said their child could not join all the clubs and activities they wanted. | Parents have told Ofsted they want more time for PE in the curriculum; a quarter said their child could not join all the clubs and activities they wanted. |
| Ali Oliver, the chief executive of the charity Youth Sport Trust, said the report sent an important message about the opportunities schools must embrace, “from introducing more physical activity … to working more closely with parents”. | Ali Oliver, the chief executive of the charity Youth Sport Trust, said the report sent an important message about the opportunities schools must embrace, “from introducing more physical activity … to working more closely with parents”. |
| “To truly transform PE and unlock its potential to nurture happier, healthier, more successful young people, the subject needs to be assessed against the life-enhancing outcomes we know that it can deliver,” Oliver said. | “To truly transform PE and unlock its potential to nurture happier, healthier, more successful young people, the subject needs to be assessed against the life-enhancing outcomes we know that it can deliver,” Oliver said. |
| Obesity | Obesity |
| Children | Children |
| Ofsted | Ofsted |
| Health | Health |
| Schools | Schools |
| Parents and parenting | Parents and parenting |
| Amanda Spielman | |
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