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Students are being urged to maintain a healthy lifestyle in order to prevent future health concerns such as high blood pressure and obesity.
To help put teenagers on the fast track to staying fit and eating healthily, the British School of Bahrain (BSB) has just staged a Healthy Eating Week.
As well as dishing up plates full of tasty greens and wholesome fare to the pupils, teachers and a nutritionist have also held discussions and offered advice.
Khalil Ahmed, the head teacher of BSB’s senior school, said: “It’s very important that children are not obese and that they lead an active and healthy lifestyle. That is why we had a Healthy Eating Week and it’s a drive to ensure that the food that we serve is healthy too. The whole outlook, advice and guidance that we are providing during this week reflects that.
“We also have a nutritionist coming in and staff members have been talking to students during classes. A 40-minute Personal Social Health Education Class held once-a-week, which focuses on a range of topics such as lifestyle, bullying and careers, has also been aimed at raising awareness about the subject.”
Keeping in line with the five-day initiative, Year 7 to Year 10 students took part in a scientific study conducted by Bahrain Specialist Hospital (BSH) physicians and nurses entitled: ‘Screening for Hypertension and Obesity in Teenagers in Bahrain from Grade six to 12’.
Dr Jafar Al Said, the chair of internal medicine, nephrology and internal medicine consultant at BSH, said: “We have been going to all the middle schools and high schools of Bahrain to conduct this study. Our aim is to identify high blood pressure early on in children and check their weight for obesity.
“This is necessary because they are the future of Bahrain. We need to raise a healthy new generation. All these things need to be addressed to the children.”
High blood pressure, also known as HBP, hypertension and ‘the silent killer’ is becoming a common condition in which blood flows through the arteries at higher than normal pressures.
It’s a symptomless disease which can only be discovered when measured. If your blood pressure reading is more than 90 over 60 (90/60) and less than 120 over 80 (120/80) then you are healthy.
If it’s more than 120 over 80 and less than 140 over 90 (120/80-140/90) then you have normal blood pressure but it is a little higher than it should be and needs to be lowered. Those that have 140 over 90 (140/90) or higher, over a number of weeks, are advised to see a doctor as they have hypertension.
If left untreated over time it can cause damage to the heart and coronary arteries causing heart disease, congestive heart failure and stroke. It can also damage the kidneys, cause memory loss, as well as affect vision.
Dr Al Said said: “Once you have the problem it can be difficult to control in the future so we are trying to detect it as early as possible in order to prevent it and use preventative measures to avoid complications.
“If we find there is a child suffering from high blood pressure and obesity, then we inform the school and the school will send a letter to the family to make sure that they get back to their primary physician to address the issues.
“Basically, once people see what we are doing, one way or another, they will start to become more aware of what high blood pressure is, start looking at their weight and changing their lifestyle.”
Lifestyle changes such as eating a heart-healthy diet and exercising more can help.
Among the pupils taking part in the classroom screening, BSB Year 7 student Hoda Khalil, 11, from Hamala, said: “It shows that the teachers care about us and want us to stay healthy.”
Her classmate, Mahmoud Masadeh, 12, also from Hamala, added: “This has proved really helpful because now we know more about eating healthily and doing exercise.”
The medical team has already visited the Philippine School Bahrain, Multinational School Bahrain, AMA International School Bahrain and in two weeks will make their further rounds at Ibn Khuldoon National School and St Christopher’s School.
Data from the research will also assist the campaign to improve health matters and pinpoint campaigns to address issues raised.
Mr Ahmed added: “This study is very important for this particular region because it identifies early-stage hypertension. The idea is that we will contact the parents, notify them of the situation and offer them advice. Letters will be sent to them about how they need to change a child’s diet and increase exercise.”
