Louann JonesKelli RiceTerry Belflower Carol AbdoDonna BoxJill Martin Reggie KimballTiffany KirklandJamylle Johnson Gavin ColquittAmy DavisMissie Bause OMS School Health Council: Whatever It Takes to Fight Childhood Obesity

Obesity Trends* Among U.S. Adults BRFSS, 1991, 1996, 2004 (*BMI 30, or about 30 lbs overweight for 5’4” person) No Data <10% 10%–14% 15%–19% 20%–24% ≥25% 2004 Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, CDC

Overweight or obese adults by health district, Georgia, Overweight or obese adults by health district, Georgia, Obesity in Georgia

How is obesity costing you?

Federal and Congressional Legislation Child Nutrition (42 USC 1779) Child Nutrition (42 USC 1779) Child Nutrition Child Nutrition Regulates the sale of foods at lunch time Regulates the sale of foods at lunch time Section Local Wellness Policy (42 USC ) Section Local Wellness Policy (42 USC ) Section Local Wellness Policy Section Local Wellness Policy Requires school districts to develop a local wellness policy that sets forth guidelines on health education and physical activity Requires school districts to develop a local wellness policy that sets forth guidelines on health education and physical activity Requires the district to assess its implementation Requires the district to assess its implementation Program requirements-School Lunch Program (42 USC 1758) Program requirements-School Lunch Program (42 USC 1758) Program requirements-School Lunch Program requirements-School Lunch Program Regulates the nutritional content of school lunches Regulates the nutritional content of school lunches

What is next? The Federal Government is likely to require districts to… The Federal Government is likely to require districts to… …develop a strict wellness policy regarding comprehensive school health …develop a strict wellness policy regarding comprehensive school health...completely implement such a policy...completely implement such a policy …make radical changes in policy regarding nutrition and physical activity (i.e. increase PE class time, prohibit the sale of “junk” foods at school, etc.) …make radical changes in policy regarding nutrition and physical activity (i.e. increase PE class time, prohibit the sale of “junk” foods at school, etc.)

Whatever it takes! The Henry County School District’s Wellness Policy The Henry County School District’s Wellness Policy Vague Vague Fails to follow guidelines suggested by the CDC and other health organizations Fails to follow guidelines suggested by the CDC and other health organizations Ola Middle School is committed to ensuring the success of every student! Ola Middle School is committed to ensuring the success of every student! The OMS School Health Council is in the process of developing our own wellness policy The OMS School Health Council is in the process of developing our own wellness policy

OMS School Health Council School Health Index (SHI) School Health Index (SHI) A tool developed by the CDC to assess school health policies on 8 key areas A tool developed by the CDC to assess school health policies on 8 key areas 1. School Health and Safety Policies and Environment 2. Health Education 3. Physical Education and Other Physical Activity Programs 4. Nutrition Services 5. Health Services 6. Counseling, Psychological, and Social Services 7. Health Promotion for Staff 8. Family and Community Involvement

School Health Index Greatest needs in Family and Community Involvement Greatest needs in Family and Community Involvement

Getting YOU Connected… Parent Education Nights Parent Education Nights Physical Activity Physical Activity Nutrition and Healthy Eating Nutrition and Healthy Eating Involvement in health policies Involvement in health policies Community-based health programs Community-based health programs Feedback on school meals Feedback on school meals Healthy snacks and food choices Healthy snacks and food choices

How YOU Can Help Students Can Students Can Set goals for healthy eating habits and monitor progress. Set goals for healthy eating habits and monitor progress. Make healthy choices in the school cafeteria or when packing lunch. Make healthy choices in the school cafeteria or when packing lunch. Ask for healthy snacks. Ask for healthy snacks. Encourage friends and family members to eat healthy foods and be physically active. Encourage friends and family members to eat healthy foods and be physically active. Use nutrition labels to select low-fat snacks. Use nutrition labels to select low-fat snacks. Urge the student council to request healthy food choices in school and at school events. Urge the student council to request healthy food choices in school and at school events. Take elective courses in health, nutrition, cooking, and physical education. Take elective courses in health, nutrition, cooking, and physical education. Help plan school and family menus. Help plan school and family menus.

How YOU Can Help (cont.) Parents or Guardians Can Parents or Guardians Can Provide healthy snacks for school parties and special events. Provide healthy snacks for school parties and special events. Help school staff plan activities where students can sample healthy foods. Help school staff plan activities where students can sample healthy foods. Involve children in selecting and preparing food. Involve children in selecting and preparing food. Offer children a variety of healthy foods, keep healthy snacks on hand, and make mealtime an enjoyable experience. Offer children a variety of healthy foods, keep healthy snacks on hand, and make mealtime an enjoyable experience. Share nutrition information with children and talk with them about nutrition projects and homework assignments. Share nutrition information with children and talk with them about nutrition projects and homework assignments.