IMA to organize Aao School Chalen Project on September 5th

IMA to organize Aao School Chalen Project on September 5th Focus to be laid on the importance of inculcating good health practices at a young age to prevent lifestyle diseases in the future
New Delhi, September 4, 2017: The Indian Medical Association (IMA) is all set to organize its second 'Aao School Chalen' programme this Teachers' Day on September 5. Last month’s initiative was successfully conducted across over 200 schools. According to statistics, about 60% of the country’s population is below the age of 45 including the sub-group of school children. The health and well being of the country’s young people is not a matter of luck and neither is it a chance or random event. It must be a planned outcome. Under IMA’s Aao School Chalen Project, the 5th day of every month has been designated to imparting public health education in schools. IMA Branches at a National level have been asked to adopt schools and deliver lectures on matters of public health in their morning assemblies. The topic for this month is fighting obesity at a young age to prevent common lifestyle diseases in the future. Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming pace. India has not been spared either. Factors contributing to this are the consumption of an unhealthy diet - eating foods high in fats, sugar and salt (junk food, processed food) and a sedentary lifestyle. Today, TV, internet, computer and mobile games have taken precedence over outdoor sports making children at a much higher risk of obesity. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "Prevention of lifestyle diseases must start in childhood itself. Schools shape the lives of their students and have a very important role to play in this battle against childhood obesity in creating health awareness among children. Healthy habits in childhood lay a foundation for a healthier adulthood. The IMA Aao School Chelen project aims at inculcating healthy habits in students from the very onset.” Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “School health is very important as schools are not just centers that impart formal education, but also influence overall development of a child. To enjoy good health during adulthood, healthy lifestyle including hygiene habits must be inculcated in childhood itself. School health education programmes can help reduce health risk behaviors such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, drug and alcohol use.” All IMA members have been asked to visit their old school or any nearby school during the school assembly and interact with students and teachers to sensitize them on issues of public health importance. It need not be a long-drawn talk, but a short talk of 10 to 15 minutes. A few tips for school children: • Respect the Laws of Nature and eat seasonal and locally grown fruits and vegetables • Each day ensure that you consume food items that span all seven colors and six tastes • Avoid refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white maida and white rice) • Reduce the consumption of salt by 40% • Whenever you get an opportunity walk or move. • There are no medicinal advantages of consuming tobacco in any form. It only causes harm • While eating out always remember the basic formula– Heat it/Cook It/ Boil it /Peel It or Forget it. • Get up at the same time every day • Don’t forget to practice yoga and meditation on a regular basis • Do not miss your mid-day meal and don’t skip mid-day workouts as they expose you to the sunlight that your body needs for proper functioning

Aao School Chalen Project on 5th September

Aao School Chalen Project on 5th September “Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Lifestyle Diseases” Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA Childhood obesity is increasing worldwide at an alarming pace. India has not been spared either. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children is steadily increasing. A multifactorial disorder, unhealthy diet - eating foods high in fats, sugar and salt (junk food, processed food) and a sedentary lifestyle contribute significantly to this escalating epidemic. Today, TV, internet, computer and mobile games have taken precedence over outdoor sports. Childhood obesity is well-recognized as a precursor to obesity in adulthood. Most obese children grow up to be obese adults. Overweight and obesity in childhood also predispose children to other lifestyle disorders such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome later on in life. Hence, there is an urgent need to prevent and control obesity in children. Prevention of lifestyle diseases starts in childhood itself. Schools shape the lives of their students and so have a very important role to play in this battle against childhood obesity in creating health awareness among children. Healthy habits in childhood lay a foundation for a healthier adulthood. As you are aware, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has initiated a nationwide “Aao School Chalen Project” beginning last month. The 5th of every month has been chosen as the day for any activity related to this project across the country. The topic in focus last month was ‘Vector-borne diseases’ and the related activities were successfully conducted in over 200 plus schools. The next date for this project is therefore 5th September 2017. The topic is “Lifestyle Changes to Prevent Lifestyle Diseases”. 5th September also happens to be Teacher’s Day. The talk should revolve around the following guidelines: • Respect the Laws of Nature and eat seasonal locally grown fruits and vegetables. • Consume all sever colors and six tastes in food. • Avoid refined carbohydrates (white sugar, white maida and white rice). • Reduce the quantity of salt by 40% in diet. • Walk or move whenever you get an opportunity. • There are no medicinal advantages of consuming tobacco in any form. It only harms. • While eating out follow the principle “Heat it/Cook it/ boil it /Peel It /Forget it”. • Get up at same time every day. • Don’t forget to practice yoga and meditation learned in school, while at home. • Don’t miss playing in the sun during school break & do not miss mid-day meal. You can visit/adopt a school for this activity. Visit the school assembly every 5th of the month and talk about the health messages that are uniform across the country. You can also be a moderator and let students interact with each other on these important topics. States and Local Branches of IMA are requested to circulate this information to all the members. I hope that you will participate maximally in this national health initiative of IMA to make it a success.

IMA adopts Aao School Chalen Project

IMA adopts Aao School Chalen Project • Emphasizes on the importance of imparting public health education in schools • Fifth day of every month to be designated to activities under this project New Delhi, 23 July 2017: According to statistics, about 60% of the country’s population is below the age of 45 including the sub-group of schoolchildren. The health and well-being of the country’s young people is not a matter of luck and neither is it a chance or random event. It must be a planned outcome. Considering this, the IMA has adopted the "Aao School Chalen Project" initiated by Delhi Medical Association in the recent past as a National Project. Under the project, the 5th day of every month has been designated for any activity related to this project. The IMA has always stressed on the importance of imparting public health education in schools and this is a step in that direction. As a part of the 'Aao School Chalen' project, lectures and awareness campaigns will be held in schools to sensitize school children on various public health issues. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "School health is very important as schools are not just centers that impart formal education, but also influence overall development of a child. To enjoy good health during adulthood, healthy lifestyle including hygiene habits must be inculcated in childhood itself. These habits learned during childhood last through to adulthood and then through life. Moreover, children are naturally inquisitive and keen learners. Thus, they are not only beneficiaries of any health-related activity but also agents of change in their family.” School health education programmes can help reduce health risk behaviors such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, drug and alcohol use. It is imperative to impart quality public health education in schools and promote positive health behavior among children and adolescents alike. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Visit your old school if you can or any nearby school during the school assembly and interact with students and teachers to sensitize them on issues of public health importance. Speak to the principal of the school beforehand about this. It need not be a long-drawn talk, but a short talk of 10 to 15 minutes. Get a certificate (proforma) signed by the Principal. Send the proforma to IMA HQs along with the photographs taken with students during assembly for records.” The schedule of the lectures to be organized is as under. • 5 August - Vector-borne diseases • 5 September – Lifestyle • 5 October - Menstruation myths • 5 November - Health and hygiene • 5 December – Substance abuse IMA adopts Aao School Chalen Project • Emphasizes on the importance of imparting public health education in schools • Fifth day of every month to be designated to activities under this project New Delhi, 23 July 2017: According to statistics, about 60% of the country’s population is below the age of 45 including the sub-group of schoolchildren. The health and well-being of the country’s young people is not a matter of luck and neither is it a chance or random event. It must be a planned outcome. Considering this, the IMA has adopted the "Aao School Chalen Project" initiated by Delhi Medical Association in the recent past as a National Project. Under the project, the 5th day of every month has been designated for any activity related to this project. The IMA has always stressed on the importance of imparting public health education in schools and this is a step in that direction. As a part of the 'Aao School Chalen' project, lectures and awareness campaigns will be held in schools to sensitize school children on various public health issues. Speaking about this, Padma Shri Awardee Dr K K Aggarwal, National President Indian Medical Association (IMA) and President Heart Care Foundation of India (HCFI) and Dr RN Tandon – Honorary Secretary General IMA in a joint statement, said, "School health is very important as schools are not just centers that impart formal education, but also influence overall development of a child. To enjoy good health during adulthood, healthy lifestyle including hygiene habits must be inculcated in childhood itself. These habits learned during childhood last through to adulthood and then through life. Moreover, children are naturally inquisitive and keen learners. Thus, they are not only beneficiaries of any health-related activity but also agents of change in their family.” School health education programmes can help reduce health risk behaviors such as tobacco use, poor nutrition, lack of physical activity, drug and alcohol use. It is imperative to impart quality public health education in schools and promote positive health behavior among children and adolescents alike. Adding further, Dr Aggarwal, said, “Visit your old school if you can or any nearby school during the school assembly and interact with students and teachers to sensitize them on issues of public health importance. Speak to the principal of the school beforehand about this. It need not be a long-drawn talk, but a short talk of 10 to 15 minutes. Get a certificate (proforma) signed by the Principal. Send the proforma to IMA HQs along with the photographs taken with students during assembly for records.” The schedule of the lectures to be organized is as under. • 5 August - Vector-borne diseases • 5 September – Lifestyle • 5 October - Menstruation myths • 5 November - Health and hygiene • 5 December – Substance abuse

Aao School Chalen: A national project undertaken by IMA

Aao School Chalen: A national project undertaken by IMA School health is very important as schools are not just centers that impart formal education, they also influence overall development of a child. To enjoy good health during adulthood, healthy lifestyle including hygiene habits must be inculcated during childhood. These habits learned during childhood last through to adulthood and all their lives. Moreover, children are naturally inquisitive and keen learners. So, they are both beneficiaries of any health-related activity and agents of change in their family. To this end, the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has adopted “Aao School Chalen Project” initiated by Delhi Medical Association in the recent past as a National Project. The 5th of every month has been designated for any activity related to this project. Visit your old school if you can or any nearby school during the school assembly and interact with students and teachers to sensitize them on issues of public health importance. Speak to the principal of the school beforehand about this. It need not be long-drawn talk, but should be a short talk of 10-15 min duration. Get a certificate (proforma) signed by the Principal. Send the proforma to IMA HQs along with the photographs taken with students during assembly for records. We have identified few topics for the coming months and there will be common points for discussion for uniformity. The first topic for 5th August is “vector-borne diseases”. The 10 uniform messages for first lecture are as follows: 1. Mosquito-borne diseases are preventable and manageable if detected early. 2. Do not allow water to stagnate in or around the houses, particularly in plastic containers. 3. Wear full sleeves clothes during monsoon season. 4. All patients suffering from dengue, malaria, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis should use bed nets while sleeping. 5. Treatment of malaria should be started early; it can be for 3 days or 14 days depending on the type of malaria. 6. All patients with dengue do not require platelet transfusion. 7. IMA Slogans: “Katwaieyga to nahi” (I hope you will not get me bitten by a mosquito) or “My premises are mosquito-free, you are invited at my premises”. 8. Look for mosquitoes: inside or outside the house; both small and big containers, during day or night; in the room or on the roof; floor or up on the walls; larvae or the mosquito. 9. Let all schools be declared by the principal as being mosquito-free. 10. Let every child speak a slogan: “From now onwards my house will be mosquito free”. The schedule of the talks is as under: • 5th September: Lifestyle • 5th October: Menstruation myths • 5th November: Health and Hygiene • 5th December: Substance Abuse States and Local Branches of IMA are requested to circulate this information to all the members. Since, this is a national health project, IMA requests all its members to participate to make it a success. Dr KK Aggarwal National President IMA & HCFI