School Nutrition and Activity PDF

INTRODUCTION

Childhood and adolescent obesity has emerged as a critical public health problem over the last decade. Today, more than one-third of youth are considered overweight and obese, with both short- and long-term consequences to their health and well-being. While there are many factors that play a role in the striking increase in obesity rates, two of the cornerstones of prevention and treatment are access to good nutrition and increased physical activity.

A growing body of literature documents that school health programs can have positive effects on health-risk behaviors and health outcomes. Since about 95 percent of children and adolescents are currently enrolled in schools for a minimum of about six hours a day, schools have many opportunities to counsel youth. As a result, school interventions are a natural fi t for anti-obesity programs that focus on healthy eating and physical activity. In recent years, there has been much media attention on school initiatives, from decreasing the availability of sugar-sweetened beverages in vending machines to implementing comprehensive physical education programs to developing health education modules aimed at students, with many more initiatives being developed and studied.

This compendium assesses the research foundations behind these initiatives. It looks at the issue from three levels: fi rst, the effects of unhealthy eating and lack of exercise on a number of health outcomes in children and adolescents; second, successful small- and large-scale school-based interventions; and fi nally, synthesis of current literature and translation into specifi c guidelines and recommendations. This research provides schools with a strong foundation for implementing policies and practices that support healthy eating and regular physical activity. In the process, educators will be ensuring the best possible chance for increasing students' academic success, improving both physical and mental health, and decreasing the risk for myriad chronic diseases.