Background 
Obesity in children is a growing health issue among urban populations in Southeast Asia and Australasia. The biggest hurdle faced by health professionals today while tackling this problem is the lack of adequate resources to address and evaluate the impact of intervention programs. Limited publication on program design and impact further hinders the allocation of resources needed to promote physical activity and balanced nutrition in the region.
Recognizing these issues, ILSI SEA Region’s Overweight and Obesity Task Force focuses on:
- Childhood Overweight and Obesity Intervention Programs
- Healthy Lifestyle Programs
- Physical Activity Research
In 1999, ILSI Southeast Asia Region collaborated with the Ministries of Health and Education, and the School of Physical Education, Nanyang Technological University in Singapore to develop a resource tool for teachers designed to improve fitness in all children and reduce overweight and obesity rates. The PowerKids™ program developed by ILSI SEA Region, incorporating nutrition and physical activity packages, was launched in all primary schools in Singapore in 2000. In 2005, the program was up-dated and relaunched as an on-line version of the resource tool for students, teachers and parents.
Outside of Singapore, PowerKids™ is being introduced in other countries in the Southeast Asian region. In Thailand, the program was introduced in selected primary schools in Bangkok in November 2005 with the collaboration of the Institute of Nutrition, Mahidol University. In Indonesia, the program was introduced in June 2006 in selected schools under the guidance of UNESCO. Training workshops have been conducted in Thailand and Indonesia, and ILSI SEA Region will continue with pilot testing and evaluation.
Objectives
The objectives of the Task Force are to:
- Review and address the increasing incidence of obesity in school children as well as in other target population groups;
- Foster a balanced scientific approach to weight management that includes healthy eating, physical activity and behavior modification; and
- Identify, develop and facilitate the implementation and evaluation of successful programs to promote healthy eating, physical activity and behavior modification.
In January 2006, ILSI’s Asia branches met in Puerto Rico, in conjunction with the 2006 ILSI Annual Meeting, and agreed to address obesity in Asia through a joint collaborative effort. ILSI SEA Region was nominated to co-ordinate this cross-entity initiative. The branches met again in May 2006 in Singapore during ILSI SEA Region’s 2006 Annual Meeting with the aim of identifying a common intervention program or platform that can be implemented across Asia.
Activities Undertaken
- PowerKidsTM On The Go in Singapore for primary school children (www.powerkids.org.sg)
- Adaptation and testing of PowerKidsTM On The Go in Thailand and Indonesia
- Forum on Long-term Success for Weight Management, December 1, 2005, Australia
Upcoming Activities
- Adaptation and introduction of PowerKids™ in Indonesia, On-going
- Identification and implementation of pan-Asia obesity intervention program/ platform as joint collaboration among ILSI Asian Branches
Publications
Summary Report of Seminar and Workshop on Active Lifestyle Programs School-based Intervention Programs for Weight Management, APJCN
Contact Person
Ms Anna Jacob
Associate Director, Scientific Programs
ILSI Southeast Asia Region
1 Newton Road, Goldhill Plaza
Podium Block #03-45
Singapore 308899
Tel: (65) 63525 220
Fax: (65) 63525 536
Email: annajacob@ilsisea.org.sg
Download Files
ILSI Childhood Obesity Prevention Database Report