PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND CHILDHOOD OBESITY

Abstract

Childhood obesity has become an increasingly serious public health issue in many countries, showing significant growth in recent decades. This condition requires urgent attention because excess weight during childhood can lead to negative consequences for physical, emotional, and social health, as well as increase the risk of developing chronic diseases later in life. In this context, the school environment plays an important role in promoting health and encouraging healthy lifestyle habits among children. Schools provide an ideal setting for stimulating physical activity and raising awareness about the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle. Therefore, school Physical Education can significantly contribute to the prevention and control of childhood obesity by encouraging students to participate in physical activities and by promoting the development of physical and motor abilities. The present study aims to analyze the importance of school Physical Education in addressing childhood obesity, discussing how activities developed during classes can support the adoption of healthier habits. This research is characterized as a bibliographic study based on the analysis of academic publications related to the topic. The findings indicate that Physical Education classes can serve as an important strategy for preventing excessive weight gain when activities are planned in an inclusive way, respecting the individual needs and limitations of students. It is concluded that regular participation in physical activities within the school environment contributes to improving children's health, quality of life, and overall well-being.