A comprehensive survey by the World Health Organization (WHO) across Jordanian schools has revealed troubling findings about youth health in the kingdom. The survey found that 30.3% of students in state-run public schools are overweight—nearly one in three. The findings further disclosed that 31.5% of students do not participate in school physical education classes, while 12.1% suffer from clinical obesity.
1+The survey findings prompted the Jordanian Ministry of Health to take swift regulatory action to overhaul the school nutritional environment and promote physical fitness. As part of the intervention, the Health Ministry issued a formal directive to the Ministry of Education detailing mandatory hygiene and nutritional requirements for school canteens, along with categorized lists of permitted and prohibited foods and beverages.
Prominent prohibited items include processed snacks containing artificial flavorings and synthetic additives, all varieties of carbonated soft drinks, energy drinks, and homemade juices or sweetened beverages containing artificial food colorings.
1+In addition, the Health Ministry requested that schools promote physical activity as an integral part of the school day. This request responds to survey results showing declining levels of physical activity among students, and is part of efforts to prevent non-communicable diseases and their associated risk factors.
Alongside the obesity problem, Jordan has become Iran’s preferred target for attacks in recent months, with the Islamic Republic aiming at American bases on its territory. According to an analysis by Al Jazeera, Jordan has become a convenient target for the regime because relations with it have never been “really good”—unlike its Arab neighbors in the Persian Gulf. In addition, the peace agreement with Israel, signed in the 1990s, did not improve relations between the countries.