Implementing the Surgeon General’s “Call To Action “ What Schools Can Do ! Alicia Moag-Stahlberg, MS, RD Executive Director Action for Healthy Kids

2 Overview of the Problem The majority of American youth are sedentary and do not eat well. These unhealthy practices lead to health and learning problems. One major health consequence in youth is overweight and obesity --- this is not a cosmetic issue There are costs to poor nutrition and physical inactivity….on health and on our schools.

3 The Wake-Up Call Recognition that overweight and obesity is a public health concern. Encourages environmental changes that can ultimately lead to prevention. Calls for the development of private- public partnerships to help implement the vision.

4 Schools Are Key A key setting identified in Surgeon General Report Significant influencing environment Children develop lifelong habits in school Schools provide equal access Feeding programs in place Provides links to parents and community Nutrition and physical activity are compatible to the education mission

5 Costs of the Status Quo Current school practices and policies can aggravate health and learning –selling and promoting low-nutrient, high-calorie foods in an attempt to generate revenue –cutting back on physical education, recess and other physical activity opportunities to increase classroom time as a way to boost achievement In fact, these strategies are not proven to meet their objectives Unknowingly are counterproductive !

6 Connection to Learning Poor nutrition has a negative impact on learning –Undernourished children attain lower scores on standardized tests, are more irritable, have difficulty concentrating and have less ability to resist infection and may miss more school –Well nourished students who skip breakfast perform worse on tests and have poor concentration –Poor nutrition and hunger interfere with cognitive function and are associated with lower achievement

7 Connection to Learning Being physically active has a positive impact –One study linked physical activity to stronger academic achievement, increased concentration, and improved math, reading, and writing scores. –Another study found that students participating in daily physical education exhibit better attendance, a more positive attitude toward school, and superior academic performance –Physical activity among adolescents is consistently related to higher levels of self-esteem and lower levels of anxiety and stress—each of which has been associated with better academic performance. –Moderate physical activity has positive impact on immune function…this can help to prevent colds and flu.

8 A More Tenuous Link Evidence of a direct effect of weight on achievement is less conclusive, however emerging research shows an association. –A 2003 JAMA study found that severely overweight children and adolescents were 4 times more likely to than healthy children and adolescents to report “impaired school functioning” –A 2004 study of 11,192 kindergartners found that overweight children had significantly lower math and reading test scores at the beginning of the year than did their non-overweight peers, and that these lower scores continued into first grade.

9 Overweight and Learning Underlying cause of overweight -- poor nutrition and inactivity -- effect learning Being overweight can impact a student’s health and leads to increased absenteeism Overweight children face more psychological problems and studies show these student’s may be victims of bullying or be bullies…this can interfere with readiness to learn

10 Economic Strains on Schools Reduced state funding and other hidden costs due to increased absenteeism from health issues Costs associated with increased staff time and money on programs designed to help underachieving students and those with behavior problems Students with increased medication needs come with additional costs associated with –Staff time to dispense medications –Many schools can not afford professional staff, using other staff keeps them intended duties, potential risk if there was an error Burden by rapid rise in staff healthcare costs, absenteeism, and lower productivity associated with staff suffering from the consequences of poor nutrition, inactivity and weight problems

11 Action for Healthy Kids’ Vision Schools provide an environment that fosters the development of lifelong habits of good nutrition and physical activity for all children Our aim is to: –Enhance the learning potential of all children, –Slow the rate of increase in overweight and obesity, –Increase efforts that lead to the prevention of overweight and obesity among youth.

12 Partner Steering Committee American Academy of Family Physicians American Academy of Pediatrics American Association of School Administrators American Association of Family & Consumer Sciences American Diabetes Association American Dietetic Association American Federation of Teachers American Public Health Association American School Health Association Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development Association of School Business Officials International Association of State & Territorial Chronic Disease Program Directors Association of State & Territorial Health Officials Association of State & Territorial Public Health Nutrition Directors Council of Chief State School Officers Family, Career & Community Leaders of America Food Research and Action Center National Association for Sport and Physical Education National Association of Elementary School Principals National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners National Association of School Nurses National Association of Secondary School Principals National Association of State Boards of Education National Association of Student Councils National Coalition for Parent Involvement in Education National Coalition for Promoting Physical Activity National Council of La Raza National Dairy Council National Education Association — Health Information Network National Future Farmers of America Organization National Medical Association National Middle School Association National PTA National School Boards Association The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation School Nutrition Association Society for Nutrition Education Society of State Directors of Health, Physical Education and Recreation U.S. Department of Agriculture — Food and Nutrition Service U.S. Department of Education — Office of Safe and Drug-Free Schools U.S. Department of Health and Human Services — Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and National Institute of Child Health and Human Development

13 Actions Schools Are Taking Forming school health advisory councils Adding healthy vending and a la carte options and limiting access to low nutrient foods Developing nutrition and wellness policies Integrating physical activity and nutrition into the school day Incorporating nutrition and physical activity into after school programs Encouraging staff to model healthy lifestyles

14 Your Call To Action! Actions need to target environment, behavior and policy changes Actions need to be carefully planned and evaluated Actions are needed by diverse and cooperative groups Actions will require vigorous, dedicated and on-going commitment The Nation needs deliberate, persistent action and we will need patience

15 Motivate, Educate, Activate Set priorities Establish strategies and actions Build on existing successful programs, policies Identify gaps Develop initiatives that fill those gaps Collaborate and cooperate

16 “Together we really can make a difference in the health of our nation's children. Frankly, the stakes are too high to do nothing. We must tackle this issue, we must not fail, we will not fail.”