The project seeks to create awareness about diabetes, obesity, lipid disorders and heart disease in children and adolescents through a school-based intervention programme.
Expected impact
110 teachers and 220 student volunteers trained
11,000 students educated through the project
15,500 parents educated through the project
Approximately 1,800 parents of children with high-risk characteristics reached
Results at project completion
The MARG project to prevent obesity has been completed in 30 public and private schools in the initial three project cities, New Delhi, Agra and Jaipur and since been expanded to include 40 public and private schools in Allahabad, Lucknow, Dehradun, Mumbai and Pantnagar.
9,500 teachers, 69,930 students and 15,000 parents have been trained.
KAP (Knowledge, Attitude and Practice) surveys have been conducted among children, parents and teachers before and after the project. Anthropometric measurements of height and weight have been carried out among more than 45,000 children.
In general, the KAP survey showed a gap in knowledge about health and nutrition between children, parents and teachers. One overall finding was that younger children are predominantly more receptive to health and nutrition programmes.
90,000 booklets have been distributed.
Children in all project schools have participated in educational activities such as poster-making, cookery activities, drama and quiz competitions, debates and talks about the importance of nutrition and physical exercise.
80 health camps and 656 lectures have been organised. 94,430 persons have been sensitised through the project.
Walks to prevent obesity, diabetes and heart diseases have been organised, including school children, teachers, principals, elderly people, doctors, and sports personalities.
The project has obtained extensive media coverage. See more
Project details
Childhood obesity is increasing particularly in urban and peri-urban areas in India. Recent data shows a prevalence of obesity at approximately 16%, resulting in a high prevalence of insulin resistance. Obese children and adolescents are in a substantially increased risk for developing an early-onset type 2 diabetes.
The increasing urbanisation combined with lack of physical activity and unhealthy diet is leading to an increase in obesity. This has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people with diabetes. Obese children and adolescents is an important group affected by diabetes.
A significant number of people in the risk group for diabetes can be prevented from developing the disease through changes in nutrition and lifestyle.
Approach
The project is composed by two main components. First component consists of inducing changes at the individual level by targeting children, parents and teachers with a view to inform and encourage change in risk behaviour. Second component consists of changing the environment by focusing on creating a healthy environment at home and at school.
The project will train teachers and student volunteers, who will enhance awareness in children on obesity, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and the consequences of the diseases: blindness, renal failure, heart attacks, strokes etc. Furthermore, children will also learn that the above diseases are originated in childhood, and that appropriate intervention in childhood can prevent the diseases.
There will be an introduction of healthy food in school canteens, labelling with appropriate warning signs on food items sold in the schools and an increase in physical activity during school time.
Parents of children with high-risk characteristics are offered special support on nutrition for overweight children, cooking methods, advice on physical activity etc.
The project tries to ensure sustainability through:
Continued labelling of the food items sold in school canteens
Continued awareness raising by 120 trained student volunteers
Maintenance of focus on exercise by 60 physical educational teachers
Maintenance of healthy eating habits at home in the families
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