Thiruvananthapuram: As part of its efforts to control lifestyle diseases, the state government will launch Lifestyle disease Education and Awareness Programme (LEAP) in schools across the state this week.
Unhealthy diet, lack of exercise, stress and excess use of junk food cause many lifestyle diseases to people at an early age.
A recent survey carried out by the Health Department in government schools covering 10 lakh children revealed that around 2.7 percent children were overweight and 0.8 percent obese.
The initiative will provide special care to children prone to lifestyle diseases.
A top official of National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) told DC that yoga and PT hours will be made compulsory in schools.
“Children are the best medium for health education, especially to disseminate the message to society. Specific hours will be allotted for outdoor exercise. Also, this will be a movement against the use of tobacco and alcohol.
The LEAP initiative will help educate school kids on healthy diet, exercise and good eating habits in schools for teachers and students.
Outdoor exercise facility in schools, promoting walking and cycling to schools, vegetable gardening and healthy cooking class are the programmes to be carried out in schools.
