Obesity: A preliminary report of an introductory service- learning course on the role of pharmacy students in health promotion

Abstract

Lifestyle diseases such as obesity have been neglected in developing countries partly due to a more urgent focus on infectious diseases in these countries. The incidence of obesity is on the increase in developing countries, with a marked rise in childhood obesity. The present health-promotion activity employed service-learning principles by which final year pharmacy students prepared a piloted computer-based quiz using a pre- and post- test design along with other learning material, for participants who attended the 2007 Sasol National Festival of Science and Technology (SciFest). Interactive models, posters and information leaflets were used in explaining the prevention and control of obesity to learners. The results showed that the pre-existing knowledge of the participants was good. There was a further improvement after the educational intervention. Activities such as this are important in heightening awareness of obesity in learners as it is likely to reduce the incidence of obesity later in life. Furthermore, the activity also served to increase awareness of the role of pharmacists in the prevention of lifestyle diseases such as obesity. Opsomming Leefwysesiektes soos obesiteit word verwaarloos in ontwikkelende lande weens die fokus op aansteeklike siektes. Voorvalle van obesiteit het verdriedubbel in ontwikkelende lande, met 'n skerp styging in kinderobesiteit. Die huidige gesondheidsprogram bied 'n indiensopleidingskursus aan, waar finalejaar-aptekerstudente 'n loodsprogram aanbied met behulp van 'n rekenaarvasvraprogram waar 'n voor- en na-toets saam met ander leermateriaal gebruik word vir bywoners van die 2007 Sasol Nasionale Wetenskap- fees. Interaktiewe modelle, plakkate en inligtingspam- flette is as hulpmiddels gebruik om die voorkoming en beheer van obesiteit aan leerders te illustreer. Die resultate het gewys dat die kennis van die deelnemers goed was. Dit het ná opvoedkundige raadgewing verder verbeter. Projekte soos hierdie is belangrik om leerders van obesiteit bewus te maak, aangesien dit baie moontlik die voorkoms van obesiteit later in deelnemers se lewens kan verminder. Die projek poog verder om bewustheid oor die rol wat aptekers in die voorkoming van leefwysesiektes soos obesiteit kan speel, te verhoog.

Keywords

• obesity
• health promotion
• service-learning
• pharmacy
• chronic conditions