Abstract:

Health education of primary and secondary school pupils also needs to involve the support of their healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, today´s population does not adhere to the evolutionary rules of life essential for humans. The result is the development of many civilization diseases, with ever more widespread obesity ranking among the most serious. A vital role in dealing with this problem must be played by education at primary and secondary schools, which need to teach children how to take care of their health. This process involves not only teachers of subjects aimed at health education but all people participating in a pupil´s education process. It is, therefore, necessary for all teachers to acquire this knowledge during their training.

The main part of the paper presents the necessary information on the origins and health consequences of obesity. Based on the content analysis of specialized information sources, we summarize all factors of this chronic condition. Obesity arises as a result of positive energy balance, especially in individuals with a polygenic predisposition to the accumulation of fat, influenced by many etiopathogenic factors. In the next part of the article, we deal with serious diseases that accompany the development of overweight or obesity or can complicate them. They include especially metabolic, cardiovascular and psycho-social complications and, in some cases, also endocrine disorders. The individual is most affected by changes occurring in the cardiovascular system, characterized as a so-called global cardiovascular risk.

The conclusions of the article emphasize the role of all teachers of primary and secondary schools in creating appropriate conditions and reinforcing the right attitudes to healthy lifestyle in their pupils. These habits, especially those related to movement and eating, will markedly influence the future healthy development of our population.

Keywords:

Obesity, children, health, education, pedagogical faculty.