Abstract:

Today´s population is threatened by the growth of many civilization diseases. One of the most serious, widespread and fastest-growing diseases is obesity. In dealing with this problem, a vital role is played, in addition to the influence of the family, by school teaching and the impact of the primary and secondary school environment. It is immensely important that pupils acquire all the necessary information and build appropriate life habits essential for the healthy development of their young bodies. The education process and the creation of a suitable environment is not only related to specific teaching aimed at health education; other teachers and staff, too, should think of the health of their school´s pupils in their classes as well as in other organizational and technical activities. To create such a suitable environment, it is important to know all the necessary and new information that enables tackling this problem.

The article deals with summarizing new information which should be included in the teaching of all students of pedagogical faculties. On the basis of content analysis of specialized sources, we summarize new information on possible procedures in the prevention and treatment of this chronic condition. These possibilities are especially related to a child´s lifestyle, as well as to other targeted procedures, such as psychological, pharmacological and bariatric treatment. Unhealthy eating habits tend to play a crucial role in developing obesity, where the food consumed tends to be not only nutritionally poor but, above all, generally rich in energy. A typical example is food consumed in various fast food canteens, but also the consumption of many types of fizzy drinks and other “tasty” foodstuffs. Therefore, the text focuses in this area on the main principles of suitable dietary procedures. An obese child, however, simultaneously deals not only with somatic but also psychological problems, as they perceive their bodies negatively and experience feelings of shame, inferiority, guilt, etc. Thus, gradually, the increasing obesity impacts personal, intimate but also social relationships of the child. In these instances, the assistance of specialized psychological care is needed and in serious cases of obesity, pharmacological or bariatric treatment needs to be used.

The role of teachers is often crucial in creating appropriate conditions and reinforcing the right attitudes to healthy lifestyle in their pupils. Information included in the teaching of students of pedagogical faculties will enable this problem to be tackled.

Keywords:

Obesity, health, children, education.