D7030 Digest EN - Vol 1 :: COPP (Aug 2026)

Posted by Virry Asin-Oostburg on Aug 10, 2026

Childhood Obesity Prevention: The Next Phase

Background

Facts

  • Childhood Obesity has become a major health problem globally with especially high levels per capita noted in the Caribbean region

  • Childhood Obesity is becoming a rising health concern in the Caribbean.

  • Childhood obesity is a complex health issue which occurs when a child is well above the normal or healthy weight for his or her age and height

  • The causes of excess weight gain in young people include factors such as a person’s behaviour and genetics

  • The adoption of a more western diet coupled with reduced levels of physical activity have contributed significantly to this phenomenon

  • Due to the rapid increase in obesity prevalence and the serious health consequences, obesity is commonly considered one of the most serious health challenges of the 21st century
     

Immediate Health Risks
Children who are obese are more likely to develop:

  1. High blood pressure and high cholesterol, which are risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD).

  2. Increased risk of impaired glucose tolerance, insulin resistance, and type 2 diabetes.

  3. Breathing problems, such as asthma and sleep apnoea.

  4. Joint problems and musculoskeletal discomfort.

  5. Fatty liver disease, gallstones, and gastro-oesophageal reflux (i.e., heartburn).

  6. Psychological problems such as anxiety and depression.

  7. Low self-esteem and lower self-reported quality of life.

  8. Social problems such as bullying and stigma. 
     

Future Health Risks

  1. CHILDREN who have obesity are more likely to become ADULTS with obesity

  2. Adult obesity is associated with increased risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and many cancers including, colorectal cancer, kidney cancer and oesophageal cancer

  3. If CHILDREN are obese, their obesity and disease risk factors in ADULTHOOD are likely to be more severe

  4. Hypertension, High Cholesterol and Diabetes Mellitus are often referred to as noncommunicable diseases (NCDs); they not only cause premature mortality but also long-term morbidity

  5. Orthopaedic dysfunction such as osteoarthritis from carrying excess body weight for an extended period of time

  6. Psycho-social distress, Anxiety and Depression can occur as a result of childhood obesity 
     

Childhood obesity often tracks to adulthood and in the short run, childhood obesity can lead to psycho-social problems and cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and abnormal glucose tolerance or diabetes. Childhood obesity prevalence has increased substantially in the past four decades, from an average of less than 5% in 1980 to over 20% in the 2020s especially in our Caribbean region.
 
Rotary in District 7030 recognizes the danger and has come together to tackle this disease head-on!!!
 

The Future of the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program in Rotary District 7030

Since 2020 and over the last 5+ years of Rotary District 7030's Childhood Obesity Prevention Program (COPP), the primary goals were to sensitize clubs, create awareness and encourage advocacy related to all aspects surrounding Childhood Obesity.
 
This year the program is morphing into the next shape where the major objective is to instill and exercise healthy behavior to prevent childhood obesity.
 
For that purpose a unique and new COPP tool called GenFIT will be introduced and available for all clusters and clubs to use in schools. The expected result is that at least 17 schools (one school per country) successfully use the GenFIT tool and at least 17 new schools are identified and confirmed to use the school in the next school year (and so on).
 
To kick things off, all Assistant Governors will be familiarized with the GenGIT tool and trained in their role to promote and supervise implementation of the GenFIT tool in their respective clusters and country. As District COPP Chair, I will maintain contact with Assistant Governors to monitor the roll-out, adoption and use of the GenFIT tool, while the District COPP team remains available to support clusters and clubs in their respective implementation of the GenFIT tool.
 
Upon its official launch, the primary goal of this new GenFIT tool is to create a fit generation among children and help curb the obesity epidemic facing children in our Caribbean region.
 
More information and details about the GenFIT tool and next steps will soon be available via our district website and on the COPP Hub
https://go.rotarydistrict7030.org/COPP-Hub
 
 
About Virginia. I joined the Rotary in 2003. Served in District 7030 and 7020. Held several club positions including President, Vice President, Secretary, Disaster Chair. In 2020 was appointed District 7030 Chair for the Childhood Obesity Prevention Program which I have passionately coordinated, managed and monitored. For questions or assistance, please email Virginia