“INFIT: The Legacy of Infinite Fitness Program”

Introduction:

One of the basic requirements of shipping or manning agencies in identifying their cadets is the normal body mass index (BMI). Some students failed to be accepted in different shipping and manning agencies because they do not have the normal BMI.
Most of the students do not have regular exercises. Some of them are completely satisfied with holding their gadgets for the whole day. Thus, many of them do not have normal BMI.

Data showed that among Grade 11 students: forty three (43) are underweight, two hundred sixteen (216) have normal weight, seventy seven (77) are overweight and thirty one (31) are obese. Further for Grade 12 students: twenty (20) are underweight, one hundred eighty two (182) have normal weight, ninety five (95) are overweight, and twenty two (22) are obese.

Data showed that in the Senior High School Department sixty three (63) students are underweight, three hundred ninety eight (398) have normal weight, one hundred seventy two (172) students are overweight, and fifty three (53) students are obese.

The Senior High School Department initiated the INFIT Program to help students maintain a normal BMI. Further, this program encourages senior high school students to strengthen healthy practices.

Program Objectives:

The following are the specific objectives of the program:

maintain general wellbeing of the students;
monitor students’ BMI; and
improve students’ BMI.

Implementation:

Program is daily.
Monday – Friday every after regular class hours.
Students were asked to secure parents’ consent.
Program is not compulsory, but all the students’ BMI must improve after the full implementation of the program.
Some students may take personal program exercises/gym programs.

Implementation of the Practice:

Students were asked to secure a parents’ consent if they are joining the program. Those who did not join secured an excused letter given that their BMI must improve during the weigh-in. Parents and guardians were informed through a formal letter about the program.

INFIT Program.

Some snaps during the implementation of the activity.

Results of Practice:

Data showed that before the INFIT program the following are results of the BMI monitoring among Grade 11 students: 43 students were underweight, 216 were normal, 77 were overweight and 31 were obese. The INFIT program was conducted as per its plans and programs. Daily exercises and monitoring of the BMI were done. After the INFIT program, the following were the results as per the BMI monitoring: 59 students were underweight, 253 were normal, 39 were overweight and 16 were obese.

Data showed that before the INFIT program the following are results of the BMI monitoring among Grade 12 students: 20 students were underweight, 182 were normal, 95 were overweight and 22 were obese. The INFIT program was conducted as per its plans and programs. Daily exercises and monitoring of the BMI were done. After the INFIT program, the following were the results as per the BMI monitoring: 20 students were underweight, 237 were normal, 61 were overweight and 10 were obese.

These data showed that there were improvements in the BMI among SHS students after the INFIT Program. Thus, we recommend to continue said program for SY 2023 – 2024.

Lessons Learnt:

The INFIT Program is an initiative of the Senior High School (SHS) Department. It is one of the core responsibilities of the SHS to ensure the wellbeing of our students. More so, the program inculcated the value for health among our SHS students as well the parents and guardians. This program helped us strengthen our advocacy in ensuring that our students are aware of the importance of having a normal BMI in the maritime profession. Our students are keener in monitoring their BMI as an improvement is one of the requirements in the signing of clearance. Further, parents and guardians were also involved in ensuring that their child’s BMI improves. This program also let our students and parents/guardians feel that we take responsibility in ensuring that our SHS students stay fit. Further, we let them be prepared if they have the chance to be recommended in shipping companies.

Conclusions:

The INFIT program will continue for SY 2023 – 2024. The results showed improvements in the BMI of our SHS students. This program will continue to ensure that our SHS students stay fit throughout their stay in the SHS. This will also help them create a healthy habit, so they can maintain a normal BMI which is needed for their future profession.

By: Mrs. Mary Mae Jun P. Esmaya
(SCHOOL PRINCIPAL)