Healthy Body = Healthy Education

A Healthy Body Yields a Healthy Education: School Health Programs

With obesity rates reaching epidemic proportions in the United States, one would wonder if this problem stems from the education (or lack thereof) in our school systems. With our nation’s massive educational budget cuts and the mounting controversy surrounding school health curriculum, many of the school’s mandated programs such as physical education, nutritional services and health services are being cut from our school’s health program. Could the problems surrounding these controversies have a direct link to the health of our school age children?

The term obese and obesity refers to an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to a person’s health (World Health Organization, 2013). Experts have determined that the Body Mass Index (BMI) is the most practical tool to use and screen for overweight and obesity. The BMI is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). According to the 2011 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey, among U.S. high school students; 13% were obese (students who were > 95th percentile for body mass index, based on sex- and age-specific reference data from the 2000 CDC growth charts), 69% did not attend PE classes daily when they were in school, and 11% drank a can, bottle, or glass of soda or pop three or more times per day during the 7 days before the survey (The Obesity Epidemic and United States Students, 2011).

What this survey indicates is that due to unhealthy dietary behaviors and physical inactivity in our schools, the health of our children is in jeopardy. The rising rates for obesity among children are a growing concern for parents, teachers and public health professionals. The Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) is an organized set of policies, procedures, and activities designed to protect, promote, and improve the health and well-being of students and staff, thus improving the student’s ability to learn. It includes, but is not limited to comprehensive school education; school health services; a healthy school environment; school counseling; psychological and social services; physical education; school nutrition services; family and community involvement in school health; and school-site health promotion for staff (McKenzie, 2008). The CSHP encapsulates many elements on improving a student’s ability to learn but how ever great the potential for a “coordinated” school health program… it still must be supported by the state, local policy makers and school administration.

In order to create an atmosphere that will allow students to grasp and implement the concept of being healthy it is essential that the school administration intervene. It is important that the district hire employees that are properly educated and have a willingness to be role models for their students when it comes to appropriate health behaviors. It is their leadership that dictates the quality of the education that our children receive.  Employing properly educated and trained personnel should be a priority but too often we see school nurses being under qualified for their positions. We also hear stories about health educators lacking the motivation to teach the principles of a healthy body. People in these positions often lack the training and expertise to provide a quality education to students. Budget cuts to school programs such as physical education (PE) must be reconsidered and prioritized—it is a considered primary prevention method under public health and if that is where the PE program falls then maybe our health educations should be paid in dual roles – as a public health educator and as a PE teacher.

Nutrition in our schools is another topic that is always surrounded by controversy. Our nation’s First Lady, Michelle Obama, takes this issue to heart by stressing the importance of adopting healthy behaviors, such as, physical activity. Another issue school-aged children face is the lack of fruits and vegetables in their diet. Most rely on their school cafeteria meals to receive required daily intakes, which is why it should be not be an option to subsidize our meal programs. Schools often offer two meals per day but do not include nutritional education; this is one of key educational roles that could change the outcome of the obesity rates, physical inactivity and nutritional education.

In conclusion, there are many factors that determine the state of our school health program. However, it is imperative that local policy makers; health educators; and school administration back and support the true nature of the underlying principles of a “coordinated” school health program. These principles include a vast area of expertise needed in our school system. As a “public health agent” I see the cost as being great but the payoff in the end will not only benefit our children’s education but ultimately, our children’s health.

 

Works Cited

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2011, September 13). Retrieved February 19, 2013, from Centers for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/assessing/bmi/

The Obesity Epidemic and United States Students. (2011). Retrieved February 19, 2013, from Center for Disease Control: http://www.cdc.gov/HealthyYouth/yrbs/pdf/us_obesity_combo.pdf

World Health Organization. (2013). Retrieved February 19, 2013, from WHO.INT: http://www.who.int/topics/obesity/en/

McKenzie, P. K. (2008). An Introduction to Community Health. Sudbury: Jones and Bartlett.