Education Minister Randolph Horton yesterday announced plans to step up physical activity in schools as the Island fights back against startling obesity figures.

Mr. Horton, a former physical education teacher, told The Royal Gazette he would push for an increase in hours of compulsory exercise as his Ministry reviews the curriculum.

It comes after obesity expert Jane DeVille-Almond labelled the Island's schools system "a disgrace" for failing to dedicate enough time to physical exercise.

Earlier this month, a survey revealed more than one in three children aged five to ten is obese or overweight, while nurses have warned some ten- to 12-year-old diabetics — weighing 300 pounds — risk death in their early adult years.

Yesterday, Mr. Horton responded by stating: "As a former physical education teacher, I am well aware of the importance of physical education in the school curriculum and I am of the belief that the time allocated to physical education should be increased.

"As a part of the Ministry-wide restructuring process and as we review the curriculum, this matter will be addressed. I am keen to see that young people, on a daily basis, are healthy and full of life."

Ms DeVille-Almond, of the UK's National Obesity Forum, flew into the Island last week for a series of workshops with health workers and other professionals including teachers. She said she was told youngsters were doing just 100 minutes compulsory exercise at schools each week.

Yesterday, the Ministry of Education released a breakdown of how much time schools spend doing exercise.

CedarBridge and Berkeley students do 200 minutes per week for one semester and none for the other semester. Others include: preschool to P3 — 90 minutes per week; P4 to P6 -120 minutes per week; Clearwater — 180 minutes per week; Dellwood — 100 minutes every four days; Whitney — 94 minutes every four days; T.N. Tatem — 100 minutes every three days; Sandys — 100 minutes every three days.

A number of Royal Gazette readers have added their thoughts to the debate this week.

One mother-of-two, whose children go to Saltus, said: "I would like to suggest that the school day last an extra half an hour to an hour where they can run round the field, do circuit training etc.

"I have said time and time again, does doing a project on Warwick Parish or a parrot fish really help you in later life? Let's sort out the lessons that should be taken and reduce the lessons that are a waste of time and allow more gym lessons during the day."

Another mother-of-two, from Southampton, said homework should be limited so children can spend more time doing exercise in the evening.

She added: "My four-year-old started school this year. She came home and said: 'Do you know what we do at school Mummy? We mostly sit down at our tables.' She said it all!"

Michele DeSousa, of Smith's, said: "Government should extend the school day to include more sports and physical activities. Children today do not play outside with neighbourhood friends after school like I did as a child because there are a lot more distractions which require little or no physical activity.

"If sport and exercise programmes were more available and run by enthusiastic coaches/teachers, children would just have fun and forget about their electronic games for a short time."

What do you think should be done to reduce Bermuda's obesity problems? E-mail tsmith@royalgazette.bm