Trim and Fit
The Trim and Fit (TAF or FAT spelled backwards) programme was a
Overview
Overall, the programme was successful in reducing the obesity rate amongst schoolchildren from 14% to 9.8% by 2002. However, it came at a psychological cost of participants being
The TAF programme has since been replaced by the Holistic Health Framework (HHF) which includes all schoolchildren.The programme
The TAF programme was introduced into schools in 1992 as part of the National Healthy Lifestyle Campaign. It was a result of a 1991 review of the nation's health plan by a national committee. Students aged 9 to pre-tertiary education were required to undergo annual
The programme was deemed by observers as an interventionist measure, requiring students who were deemed overweight to be subject to additional intense exercises or physical activities for at least one and a half hours per week. These activities were organised during recess or at times set aside before or after lessons at schools' discretion. They were also issued with "calorie cash" – food ration coupons from which no more than a certain number of calories may be purchased and consumed in a recess break. The amount of calorie cash was inversely proportional to the child's obesity rate.[2][4] Children which exceeded the 160% of the ideal BMI were referred to the Health Promotion Board for follow-up action.
A direct impact of the TAF programme was a reduction of the obesity rate of schoolchildren from 14% to 9.8% by 2002.[5] Worldwide public health experts have evaluated the TAF model for possible replication around the world.
A carrot-and-stick approach was adopted in putting pressure on schools to meet the targets of fitness and obesity set by the ministry. Cash incentives were awarded by the ministry to schools that exceeded fitness targets and created new strategies to maintain students' obesity levels. Schools that failed had to face "consultation" sessions with ministry officials. Schools were also ranked annually based on how well targets were met at national level.[4] Schools were given a wide discretion in determining how TAF was to be implemented, which resulted in some schools going so far as to implement apartheid-like segregation – for instance, where children were grouped to sit at normal and overweight tables during recess.[2]
Psychological factors
Psychological motivation and
In 2005, a
Two years later, in 2007, the Ministry of Education decided to replace TAF with the Holistic Health Framework (HHF). The HHF intended to ensure the fitness and health of all schoolchildren.[6][7][10]
References
- ^ a b c Singapore schools' weight-loss programme linked to eating disorders: study, Agence France-Presse, 24 May 2005
- ^ a b c Obesity series part III: Singapore Archived 25 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The World (radio program), 14 November 2007
- Time Asia, 1 November 2004
- ^ Agence France Presse, 22 February 2005
- ^ Fighting fat: with TAF in Singapore Archived 24 January 2013 at the Wayback Machine, Warren Lee, Diabetes Voice (International Diabetes Federation), May 2003
- ^ The Associated Press, 20 March 2007
- ^ a b c "HuHF, it's not TAF to get fit". www.asiaone.com. Retrieved 12 October 2021.
- ^ Hell-bent on looking thin Archived 21 May 2011 at the Wayback Machine, Ng Cheng Yee, The Star (Malaysia), 24 July 2007
- Ministry of Education, Singapore, 20 May 2005
- ^ Childhood obesity's about good choices, Melinda Tankard Reist, The Sydney Morning Herald, 12 April 2007