Gibran Asks Sports Curriculum To Prevent Children's Obesity At School Age

Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka DBON meeting at the Wisma Building of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jakarta, Wednesday (4/12/2024). (ANTARA)

JAKARTA - Vice President Gibran Rakabuming Raka asked for improvements to the sports education curriculum in schools to encourage a healthy lifestyle and prevent obesity in school-age children.

This was conveyed by the Vice President while chairing the inaugural meeting of the National Sports Grand Design (DBON) of the Red and White Cabinet at the Wisma Building of the Ministry of Youth and Sports, Jakarta, Wednesday, December 4.

"Improvement of the sports curriculum is needed to establish a healthy lifestyle, such as preventing obesity among children," said the Vice President, as released by the Vice Presidential Secretariat.

In the closed meeting, the Vice President also asked for an increase in the implementation of DBON from upstream, starting from the development of the sports curriculum to the provision of supporting facilities in schools. According to the Vice President, the current fast lifestyle has a negative impact on the body's resilience of the younger generation.

"Many school children experience diabetes, obesity, and other serious illness due to their diet and lack of physical activity," he said.

The Vice President highlighted the importance of finding talent and sports coaching that has not been maximized. In addition, he emphasized inclusiveness for persons with disabilities through DBON's facilities, infrastructure, and coaching programs.

Responding to the direction of the Vice President, Minister of Youth and Sports Dito Ariotedjo explained the government's steps, including requiring public schools and universities to provide scholarships of at least 5% of the capacity to athletes.

"This involves cooperation between the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of PUPR, the Ministry of Basic Education, and the Ministry of Higher Education, Saintek," said Dito.

This meeting also discussed the achievements of DBON Phase 1 (20212024) and preparations for the implementation of DBON Phase 2 (20252029). Closing the meeting, Vice President Gibran said that the results of the meeting would be reported directly to President Prabowo Subianto.

"We will convey the results of this meeting to President Prabowo," he said.