Students could do nutrition education. The vice-president of the National Sports Agency: We are in the top of the countries with alarming rates of childhood obesity

The vice-president of the National Sports Agency (ANS) Romania, Gabriel Toncean, announced on Friday that soon a project will be officially submitted to introduce a nutritional education discipline in schools, at least at the secondary level, to reduce childhood obesity.

Gabriel Toncean said that he had already discussed this aspect with the Minister of Education, Ligia Deca, and with the Secretary of State in the Ministry of Education Kallos Zoltan, arguing that “our young people rarely practice sports and often adopt poor eating habits” and “we are among the top countries with alarming rates of childhood obesity, which is a serious problem for the next generation”.

• “Because of the lifestyle of children in Romania, the alarming increase in childhood obesity and the social factors involved, the sedentary lifestyle and the consumption of processed foods, I believe that it is absolutely necessary to introduce a new discipline of nutritional education in schools, at least at the gymnasium, for grades V-VIII. This discipline, regardless of what it will be called, will aim to teach children to eat properly and adopt a healthy lifestyle. I take this opportunity to tell you that this soul project will soon be officially submitted and I hope it becomes a reality,” Gabriel Toncean wrote on Facebook.

The vice-president of the ANS stated that a team dedicated to this cause was formed, made up of specialists in pediatric psychology, pediatricians and pediatric nutritionists, including a mother with an obese child.

Thus, specialized reports were drawn up that show how critical the situation in Romania is and how urgently effective measures are needed.

• “Our major objective – the introduction of this new discipline of nutritional education in schools, at the secondary level – must be completed, implemented either as a stand-alone subject (the ideal case), or as a study mode within sports lessons or related subjects. The health and nutritional education of our children are essential for our future as a nation. With your support, of all parents and decision-makers in Romania, we can bring about this change and ensure that our young people grow up strong and healthy,” stressed the vice-president ANS.