A physically active and healthy lifestyle is strongly associated with a lower risk of disease and a general better quality of life. Moreover, an active lifestyle as a child is linked to future participation in our adult years. With this in mind, as well as the ever increasing Obesity epidemic that is gripping the UK, we have an obligation to ensure that the younger generation receive both the encouragement and opportunities necessary to maintain a healthy lifestyle. The primary responsibility lies with parents, teachers, and the wider community. This paper offers insights into the type of interventions that may be successful in the school, home, and wider social environment.

Essentially, the following scopes of intervention must be considered:
1. School Based
2. Home Based
3. Community Based
4. Web Based

- School Based -

The school provides a real opportunity to tackle the obesity epidemic and lack of physical activity amongst young people as it provides access to all children, in a setting where they are most susceptible to learning new behaviours.

It is essential to develop a "Whole School Initiative"
The 3 key elements to consider in relation to this are:

1. The curriculum
Ensuring that through the proper education pupils are able to increase knowledge and understanding of fitness and health, and develop decision-making skills related to physical activity.

2. The environment
Provide a safe environment, which provides opportunities for participation in physical activity for people of all abilities.

3. The community
Involve the wider community in policies for physical activity. Includes developing links with clubs and local authority in developing policies for physical activity. Use of school facilities for extra curricular activities or other sports clubs (could be a source of income for the school). Use of external agencies /physical activity professionals.

- Active Interventions -

School-based PE
New Health Related Exercise (HRE) classes or additional classes (extra-curricular if necessary)
Some examples of useful HRE classes include:

• Orienteering
• Dance
• Exercise to Music
• Circuits

School based PE should have an emphasis on moderate-vigorous activity. Emphasis on CV fitness, flexibility, balance, and endurance, through non-competitive games. Less inactive time during lessons in games such as cricket etc… attempt to modify rules or find other activities.
***Develop Competence in skills and perceived Self Efficacy

Classroom-based Health Education
Classroom based approaches should aim to provide information and skills which prompt positive decision making in relation to physical activity. They should be multi-component, with the curriculum typically addressing:

• Physical Activity
• Smoking
• Nutrition
• Disease

These lessons should aim to produce:

• Increased general health knowledge
• Exercise related knowledge
• Self efficacy about exercise /physical activity

Classroom-based Health Education aimed at reducing time
watching TV and playing Video Games
Specific emphasis on decrease in amount of time doing these activities. Reward system may be useful.

• Self monitoring
• Limiting access (parental involvement)
• Budgeting time for TV
• "TV Turnoff Challenge". Pupils encouraged not to watch TV for certain number of hours /at a set time of day.

***Parental Involvement essential

Family-based social support
A supportive social environment has been shown to increase the maintenance of behaviour change!!!

• Nutritional support (provide correct meals)
• Monitor/control sedentary behaviours such as watching TV
• Provide adequate opportunity for participation in physical activity
• Goal Setting

Community /Partnership Interventions
Develop a community that supports and provides opportunities for safe participation in physical activity

• Provide safe walking routes to and from school
• "Buddy System"- A contract with others to participate in certain amount of physical activity
• Walking Groups