The prevalence of childhood obesity as perceived by primary school teachers, and their attitudes towards the role of the school in obesity prevention.

Abstract

In 2018, the issue of childhood obesity both nationally and internationally is a profoundly relevant topic, with one in four nine-year old children in Ireland now considered to be overweight or obese (Layte & Mc Crory, 2011). The purpose of this dissertation is to explore the perspectives of primary school teachers regarding their role in combatting this global epidemic. It also explores the prevalence of childhood obesity, its causes and consequences, current initiatives and strategies that promote obesity prevention and the barriers teachers often face in the promotion of a healthy lifestyle in children. Existing literature on this subject was reviewed to inform the author throughout this research, which aided the generation of recommendations for further study in the area of childhood obesity.