© 2007 HealthMPowers. All rights reserved. Health and Academic Achievement Special thanks to: Diane Allensworth, CDC Christi Kay, HealthMPowers Debra Kibbe, ILSI

Key Messages  Childhood obesity is a national crisis  Health is academic  A coordinated, multi-component, evidence- based approach is the best way to make a difference  Change is happening…more to do

 Health consequences Cardiovascular risks Hypertension Type 2 diabetes High blood cholesterol Respiratory ailments Orthopedic issues  Psychological consequences Self-esteem Withdrawal Anxiety Poor body image Poor nutrition and inadequate physical activity in children has far reaching consequences …

Academic Consequences…  Attendance  Classroom behavior  Cognitive development  Test scores  Academic performance Therefore, healthful living is as important to well being and quality of life as it is to academic achievement.

The Science of Health & Learning: Physical Activity  Physical Activity (PA) Stimulates learning Fitness is significantly related to school achievement Vigorous physical activity, specifically, boosts performance

The Science of Health & Learning: Physical Activity  Physical Activity (PA) No negative impact of enhanced physical education (both ↑ time & quality) on academic performance Both reading and math scores improve for “poorly adapting” students when PA increases during school day Classroom PA leads to significant, systematic improvement in on-task behavior

The Science of Health & Learning: Nutrition  Nutrition Affects learning AND behavior Breakfast improves attention, memory, test performance, attendance & weight control Food insufficiency is related to poor behavior and academic function in low income children Food quality and frequency may relate to positive academic effects

The Science of Health & Learning: Nutrition  Nutrition Children who participate in school nutrition programs are less likely to have discipline problems. School breakfast participants, 3 rd -5 th grade, realized gains in math, reading and vocabulary Reduced rates of tardiness and absenteeism

References  Karsting K. Exploring the evidence-base for the relationship between health and learning. Nebraska DHHS, Division of Public Health. Poster presented at American School Health Assn, Denver CO. Oct  Murray NN, Garza JC, et. al. Fitness and academic achievement among 3 rd and 4 th grade students in Texas. Paper presented at ACSM annual meeting, Indianapolis IN. May  Tomporowski PD. Cognitive and behavioral responses to acute exercise in youth: A review. Pediatric Exercise Science  Sallis JF, McKenzie TL, et. al. Effects of health-related physical education on academic achievement: Project SPARK. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport,  Mahar MT, Murphy SK, et. al. Effects of a classroom-based program on PA and on- task behavior. MSSE,  Buzby JC, Guthrie JF, Kantor LS. Evaluation of the USDA fruit and vegetable pilot program: report to Congress. Washington, DC: Economic Research Service,  Meyers AF, Sampson AE, et. al. School breakfast program and school performance. American Journal of Diseases of Children,  Rampersaud G, Pereira M, et. al. Breakfast habits, nutritional status, body weight, and academic performance in children and adolescents. JADA, 2005.

Percentage of U.S. High School Students Getting Mostly A’s or Mostly B’s and Mostly D’s or F’s* Who Engage in Selected Health Risk Behaviors Source: CDC available at Data based on YRBS, 2003www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth % of students Health Risk Behaviors

Other Resources See Training Manual (Tab 5)  Making the Case for School Health Resource List  The Association Between School-Based Physical Activity Including Physical Education and Academic Performance  Physical Inactivity and Unhealthy Dietary Behaviors and Academic Achievement