Nudging Nanny out the way: Promoting health literacy in Schools

Mon, Nov 04, 2013 17:02 CET

The recognition of childhood obesity as a global health epidemic has placed schools in a position of responsibility as the state shifts from ‘nannying’ to ‘nudging’ individuals to adopt healthy behaviours.

Health Literacy (HL) is a concept of empowerment, based on the premise that health education can improve people’s abilities to make choices about their health and well-being.

The journal of Sport, Education and Society has published the findings of a practice-based, qualitative study of the level of health literacy across pupils in UK schools in an article entitled ‘Health literacy in schools: prioritising health and well-being issues through the curriculum’

Although the results found that both pupils and staff in schools that do not have an understanding of health and a capacity for HL, there is still room for improvement. Health education (via taught subjects) is not statutory across the four Key Stages of the National Curriculum.

The study concludes by recommending that key health messages be delivered through an agenda that integrates current provision for health via the curriculum and other school-based practices, such as the Healthy Schools Programme.

This article has been made free for you to access as part of the ‘Obesity in Schools’ article collection from Routledge, Taylor & Francis. Offering free article access until the end of November, this selection of international research reflects the important work being conducted in the field of health research and education. From obesity research to ways in which schools can promote health at every stage, for every size, this collection offers a look at the variety of ways education and childhood obesity affect each other. View the collection here: http://www.tandfonline.com/page/cyberbullying-2013

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Fitness health obesity National Curriculum childrens health health education public health childhood obesity UK schools Taylor Francis Schools Programme HL