Secondary school students are overweight, suffer health problems and do not practice sports, shows a report by the Chief Sanitary Inspectorate.

According to the report, forty per cent of Polish teenagers would like to lose weight and the same amount are afraid of gaining it. Every third student has been on a diet at least once, irrespective of their weight.

Secondary school students, between the ages 13-16, are also vulnerable to stress. Only seven per cent of them say they are never stressed, 15 per cent admit being stressed very often, and 29 per cent – somewhat often.

Stress and strong desire to look slim among young people can result in anorexia or other eating disorders, warn psychologists.

The report also shows that young people have improper eating habits. Every tenth student is undernourished and parents are usually unaware of their children skipping meals. On the other hand, 11 per cent of secondary school pupils are obese and six per cent are considered overweight.

Every forth student does not have breakfast and a half of students do not eat lunch at school. The most popular packed lunch is a sandwich, a chocolate bar or a packet of chips. Almost 25 per cent of young people have only one meal a day and 40 per cent do not eat vegetables.

According to the report, most young people exercise only at Physical Education classes, which they have three times a week. However, 12 per cent of students do not participate even in these classes. Only 40 per cent of teenagers practice sports, usually football, volleyball or swimming.

As a result, young people are becoming less active and have health problems. Every fifth student has allergy, asthma, back pains, skin or eye-sight problems.

The report was based on interviews from 12,000 secondary school students throughout Poland. (mg/mmj)

Source: Rzeczpospolita