The Role of Architecture in Obesity Prevention in Schools

Obesity Prevention 1
The Role of Architecture in Obesity Prevention in Schools
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Obesity Prevention 2
Introduction
The nutritional quality of children has declined in the past ten years or more, contributing to
high rates of childhood obesity (Brener et al., 2013). The study by Reedy and Krebs-Smith
(2010) report that there has been a striking increase of the intake of sugary beverages among
children and adolescents making up most of their total energy intake, while the consumption
of nutritious foods has considerably decreased. Schools are better placed in dealing with the
cumulative incidences of obesity in children and adolescents. This is because the schools
function to provide education and socialisation and are platforms in which the students access
approximately 50% of their dietary intake (Reedy and Krebs-Smith, 2012). However, studies
have demonstrated that school-based nutrition promotion is less effective because they
compete with existing promotions for foods that are not nutritious (Chacon et al., 2015). This
has thus provoked further research and investment in the design and development of new
multifaceted approaches to designing school environments in such a way that they promote
healthy eating. The most recent investigation strategy is the contribution of the school
architectural design, i.e. landscape features, sitting arrangement, interior design etc. in
improving the healthy eating habits and attitudes among learners. The objective of this paper
is to critically review relevant literature on the importance of architecture in preventing
obesity in Schools. Thematic analysis has been used based on the information obtained from
the analysed literature. Three major themes have thus been developed and discussed in details
to provide an in-depth understanding of the topic of study.
Causes of Obesity and the Role of Architectural Design
It is generally accepted that obesity is caused by the disparity between energy consumption
and use, with the rise in positive energy balance being linked to nutrition and lifestyle. The
study by Sahoo et al. (2015) pointed out that obesity in children as a result of the increased

Obesity Prevention 3
subsistence of unhealthy diet leading to high consumption of energy or an amalgamation of
both factors. The research by Ogden et al. (2010) has also demonstrated that obesity is also
caused by ones genetic background coupled with environmental factors and dietary
preferences. However, it accounts for less than 5% of obesity cases (Sahoo et al., 2015).
Huang et al. (2013) observe that obesity seems to be caused by an intricate association
between the body’s exposure to obesity and the environment.
Architectural design has been found to play a critical role in the prevention of obesity in
children and adolescents (Gorman et al., 2007). Architectural design in school has been
perceived to consist of the school spaces which has also been defined using three sub-
domains namely policy, physical and legal environments (Gorman et al., 2007). Architectural
design shapes environmental factors such as quality of air, crowding which have been found
to affect appetite and food preferences which are associated with obesity. Gorman et al.
(2007) also found out that architectural design also helps in preventing obesity in children by
providing models that provide recreational spaces, weather protected areas or covered courts.
All these increase physical activity among children that have embraced sedentary lifestyle
(An et al., 2018).
The architectural and interior Design solution to prevent obesity in school
Studies have shown that obesity in school children and adolescents can effectively be
prevented by utilising architectural and interior designs. According to Anthamatten et al.
(2011), architectural design can be used in order to avoid obesity in children by increasing
physical activity while at school through the creation of transitional spaces. The provision of
covered courts or weather-protected spaces both in the indoor and outdoor areas can offer
exceptional space for physical activity especially for children that avoid fields (Sahoo et al.,
2015).