“If current trends are allowed to continue, there will be an increased risk in diabetes, hypertension, obese pregnancies, and obesity-related morbidities,” said Dr. Joann Richardson of United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine in her presentation titled The Future of Palau: Snapshot of School Health Screening Program.
“All this leads to increased human and financial costs to Palau,” Dr. Richardson added. “Obesity is a disease, there’s no pill for it.”
The School Health Screening program was initiated in 2006, and the Public Health Division Family Health Unit has been collecting the data every year since then. They only survey odd year levels — first, third, fifth, seventh, ninth and 11th graders — and only if the parents consent to their participation in the program.
The purpose of the survey is to gather pediatric population health statistics.
Among the data collected are demographics, physical activity, body mass index, physical examination, eyesight, blood pressure, sexual history and contraception use, alcohol and drug use.
Dr. Richardson’s presentation concluded that issues faced by Palauan youths are not uniquely Palauan. “Palauan community is now part of the global community with similar pediatric issues,” she said. “The solutions will require global perspective and can no longer be obtained in isolation.”
In order to further monitor the rate of obesity in the country, Dr. Richardson recommended following one class over time. She also recommended studying the effects of prevention programs, such the Peleliu water program where soda is not allowed in the campus; doing physical activities in schools, and hiring medical writer to assist in grants.
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