Health Education and Resource Team (HEART) Health Education and Resource Team (HEART) Presented by: Lorrene Ritchie, Leslie Teruya- Acard, and Elsie Szeto Presented to: NHUSD School Board Presented on: April 28, 2005

2 Outline What is HEART? Why do we need HEART? How is HEART promoting health? What are the future plans for HEART?

3 What Is HEART? HEART stands for Health Education and Resource Team Consists of a volunteer group of NHUSD teachers, staff, parents, and community members who meet ≈ once a month Formed in 2003 around common concerns about children’s health

4 HEART Mission “To promote healthy eating, physical activity, and healthy lifestyle choices through education, program and policy implementation, and environmental improvement.”

5 Why do we need HEART? Most Children are NOT Getting Enough Physical Activity % Meeting 6 of 6 fitness standards Source: Calif. Dept. of Educ California Physical Fitness Testing Results.

6 Many Children are NOT Eating Healthy Foods  Only 2% of children in the U.S. meet the Food Guide Pyramid recommendations for the intake of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy, and meats.  Nearly half of California teens eat no vegetables whatsoever on a given day and not even a third eat the recommended number of fruits and vegetables.  Most kids consume soda and/or candy on a daily basis. Nationally, by 14 years of age, 32% of girls and 52% of boys consume 24 oz or more of sweetened soda every day!  A third eat one or more meals at a fast food restaurant and nearly one quarter have access to fast foods at school. Sources: Muñoz et al. Pediatrics 1997;100:323-9; USDA. Ritchie et al. Center for Weight and Health, UC Berkeley. 2001;

7 Childhood Overweight Has Increased Dramatically 3 Fold Increase Source: Ogden et al. JAMA 2002;288:

8 How Overweight Are Kids Locally? “Overweight” and “At risk for overweight” Source: Calif. Dept. of Educ California Physical Fitness Testing Results.

9 Associated Costs to Schools  Poor nutrition and physical activity lead to:  Lower test scores  Lower grades  Lower school attendance  Decreased ability to concentrate  Less energy  Poorer attitude toward school  Overweight leads to a cost of:  $160,000 per year for average-sized CA school district Source: Action for Healthy Kids. The Learning Connection

10 What is HEART doing to promote health? Established coalition Discussed pediatric weight and health issues Assessed group resources and interests Assembled resource binder Used the CDC’s School Health Index to identify strengths and areas for improvement Began instituting and recommending program and policy changes

11 Strengthen Student Knowledge and Skills Include Nutrition Olympics in Field Day. Expand “Walk to School Week” activities. Conduct a “Motion Match” with pedometers. Promote use of school garden as fun, interactive way to teach children about nutrition.

12 Promote Parent & Family Learning Circulate flier to parents on healthy party snacks. Include article on nutrition and physical activity in principal’s newsletters to parents. Provide demonstration & information on healthy nutrition at “Friendly Friday” parents’ meeting. Update SSC and PTC on HEART activities. Provide in-service to parents on child and family health, nutrition and physical fitness. Organize booth at Annual Science Fair.

13 Inform Teachers & Staff Encourage healthy foods at staff parties and functions. Provide in-service to teachers and staff by Dr. Scott Gee, Kaiser Pediatrician, on the importance of healthy nutrition and physical activity in children. Promote pedometer activities. Update teachers and staff on HEART activities.

14 Encourage Leisure Services to offer healthy cooking/nutrition and lifestyle fitness classes. Invite additional teachers and staff to join via Superintendent’s Newsletter. Promote health and HEART at Logan’s Annual Science, Earth & Health Festival. Share resources with other school districts and youth organizations (e.g., Adewole Community Group) Foster Coalitions and Networks

15 Promote alternatives to traditional ‘junk food’ fundraisers that reflect healthy choices – e.g., Jog-A-Thon. Provide healthy alternatives to children on ‘Friday Cookie Day’. Alter school foodservice line to encourage selection from all of the major food groups. Change Organizational Practices

16 Institute “15 minute” rule – time children must stay and eat lunch before going out to recess. Institute policy to promote healthier choices at school parties and functions. Update School District on HEART activities. Write proposal to obtain grant monies to institutionalize healthy changes. Influence Policy

17 Regulation of ala Carte Items (SB 19)  Effective January  Limits non-nutritive foods and beverages to be sold and offered to students on campus that are not part of the National School Lunch Program.  Carbonated sodas are not allowed. Amounts of electrolytes in sports drink are limited.  A $.10 increase allocated to each reimbursable meal,.

18  Effective July  Prohibits the sale of certain beverages at elementary and middle schools.  Allowable beverages: Water Milk Fruit juices made of at least 50% juice Sports drinks with limited added sweeteners. CA Childhood Obesity Prevention Act of 2003 (SB 677)

19 School District Health Policy Mandate By July 2006: Each school district is required to develop a wellness program policy. Policy is to include goals for nutrition & physical activity.

20 How can NHUSD Support HEART? Get involved with HEART Join our circulation to keep up-to-date Come to a HEART meeting Contact New Haven USD Food and Nutrition Services Request in-services for all schools  For staff and parents  Provided at no cost  By Drs. Scott Gee and Lorrene Ritchie Support HEART to continue working on wellness programs and policy