Overweight and obesity in school age - Abstract

Health and physical Activity form a binomial that has proved to be joined throughout the time. The society and the Administration are increasingly aware of this relation thanks to works as the famous “Lalonde Report", which defended a bigger administrative investment in a determinant factor of health, lifestyle. Lalonde established that the lifestyle´s influence on health was 90 % and the sanitary destined budget was 1 %. As a consequence, he fomented a higher level of physical activity, since its repercussion on the population´s health was bigger than other factors: (the lifestyle, the health system and the environment). In addition, it would mean a considerable saving in the public cost if it focused on investing in prevention more. The educational system takes on the responsibility of health prevention and education, promoting health and a healthy lifestyle. Although school interventions have proved to be effective in improving dietary habits at school, its effect on obesity prevention is uncertain. However, this improves when a reduction in sedentary activities is obtained. It is important to implement innovative obesity prevention school programmes that take into account such factors of interest as gender and family environment.