by Anindita Sengupta
WHAT’S HAPPENING
- Middle school students in Kozhikode in Kerala will get extra points for healthy living. An initiative in schools, Lifestyle and Efforts for Newer Understandings (LISTEN YOU), is trying to eliminate obesity among youngsters.
- Conceived by Dr. Meharoof Raj, the project will identify children with a body mass index of 23 and above. They will be given diet charts, and these will be discussed with their parents (ExpressBuzz.com, 6 March 2011).
- Students who lose weight within three months will be rewarded.
- The project will be conducted at unaided schools from the academic year starting June 2011. It will be expanded to other schools based on success levels and feedback.
- A 2010 study conducted by Achutha Menon Centre for Health Science Studies revealed that Kerala has a high prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, obesity and heart disease.
WHAT THIS MEANS TO BUSINESS
- With changes in work and social life, small town India is waking up to new, lifestyle-related diseases. This is affecting children as well as adults and the health-conscious are looking for solutions.
- Schools and hospitals are driving health awareness efforts. People are willing to take advice from authority figures who come from these establishments.
RESOURCES
