Obesity rates in children world-wide are burgeoning, and those attending childcare are more at risk. Now a new Massey University study hopes to discover information that may help design interventions offering simple, practical and relevant tips for early childhood education (ECE) teachers about nutrition and physical activity for pre-schoolers.
Physical activity is an important part of having a healthy life, and is commonly prescribed for managing your weight. But what about the challenges facing overweight children? How can we better understand the physical barriers these children must overcome so they can be physically active?
Activity trackers have been placed on toddlers as part of a pioneering research programme in early learning centres aimed at tackling New Zealand's childhood obesity epidemic.
Drinks Research in Kids’ Sport (DRinKS) is the brainchild of Bachelor of Science Honours student Daniel Gordon. His study, majoring in exercise and sports science, is being supported by senior lecturer Dr Ajmol Ali from the School of Sport and Exercise, other sports scientists, as well as nutritionists from the School of Food and Nutrition.
New Zealand is currently ranked third in the OECD with 26.5 per cent of the adult population deemed obese. But the worrying trend is that, at 28.5 per cent, the percentage of New Zealand children aged two to 14 years in the obese category is even higher.