The beginning of any New Year would typically signal an opportunity for many to make resolutions for their future. Last February with the onset of the year of the Ox within the Chinese calendar, some debatable and for some inspirational changes were being made to the school curriculum in some provinces of China.
The Chinese government are recognising a developing obesity problem in children, as well as noting that in some parts of the country less than 3% of youngsters have good health. Their approach to tackling the issue is through reformation of the school curriculum, increasing the importance of physical education, as well as the arts. The overall goal being to ensure exercise is established as a long-term habit from a very young age.
There is a general concern worldwide that people are living longer, but not necessarily with good health. The UN have stated that “Population ageing is poised to become one of the most significant social transformations of the twenty-first century, with implications for nearly all sectors of society” (1).
Perhaps starting young really is the answer to better health as we age... only time will tell.
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