POOR PHYSIQUE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23222, 16 December 1938, Page 14

POOR PHYSIQUE

THE HEALTH OF BOYS APPEARANCE MISLEADING COMMENTS BY HEADMASTER Comment upon the physical standard of boys attending the Mount Albert Grammar School was passed by the headmaster, Mr. F. \Y. Gamble, during the school's prize-giving last night. The health of the school through measles and influenza epidemics had not been good, he said, and attention had been forcibly drawn to the lack of resistance to complaints which scarcely alfeeted n well-nourished boy. "Our cadet battalion makes an imposing sight on parade," said Mr. Gamble, "but, with the removal of the disguising layers of uniform and undershirt, the boys do not appear as -v whole in a favourable! light, and the poor physique of a large percentage oi them is very distressing. Without proper medical inspection and without the services of a qualified physical instructor, a school cannot lie expected to go far in meeting this urgent problem." A large section of the school, continued Air. Gamble, had received instruction in correct nutrition. In many cases the keenness and understanding of the boys had enabled them to rouse the interest of their parents to the extent of .changing the habits and diet of the family to conform more closely with the correct principles of health. During the year an accurate analysis of the diet of over 100 boys was carried out. It was found that the diet of about 10 per cent of the boys was very good, 35 per cent satisfactory, 40 per cent fair, 10 per cent poor, and 5 per cent bad, Mr. Gamble continued. Twenty per cent of the boys had too much food, chiefly bread and cake.