1. Assessing eating habits and obesity in a rural middle school and the importance of “Health Education” classes Author: Adriana-Marta Bigiu Co-author: Denisia-Suzana Todor

2. Present-day studies stress an alarming increase of obesity in schools. The dietary quality of school lunches is a public policy issue. There are a lot of projects and laws which promote “Health Education” classes. Every child has the right to receive information about healthy eating and well- being.

3. The Food Guide Pyramid is a basic yet effective tool to help you feed children

4. Purpose Evaluating eating habits and behaviors of a group of students from the rural area to emphasize the importance of the “Health Education” classes. Evaluating dietary intake, lifestyle and knowledge students have on the topics up to this moment.

5. Material and method This was a prospective epidemiologic study, using surveys on eating habits and lifestyle. 155 students, aged between 10 and 15 years, were questioned. Data collection took place between 01.11.2013 and 19.12.2013.

6. The methodology included questions related to demographic (age, gender) and anthropometric (weight, height) data and questions about eating habits and life style. They were measured according to standard procedures and were followed by Body Mass Index calculations.

7. Results The results of this particular study were not in agreement with present-day studies, which stress an alarming increase of obesity in schools. The majority of the questioned students have the habit of -food, soft drinks and sweets in excess as well as leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

8. Repartition of students by BMI

9. Percentage of students which serve breakfast days/week

10. Distribution of pupils according to commonly consumed foods

11. Percentage of students which consume fruits and vegetables

12. Distribution of pupils according to commonly consumed drinks

13. Percentage of meat intake at my group of students

14. Percentage of sweets intake at my lot of students

15. Repartition of answers at my lot of students about excess sweets and fats

16. Conclusions All the gathered information underline the student’s defective food intake and unhealthy lifestyle. The results makes “Health Education” classes imperative for this institution. The students need to learn and inform about :healthy lifestyle, healthy food, good eating habit, sports.

17. Teachers and parents can help make schools healthier places to learn by providing quality food and teaching children about the importance of nutrition and embracing a healthy active lifestyle. The results are worrying but the student’s BMI shows a normal weight to most students.

18. Thank you for your attention !