Change School Environments to Change Childhood Obesity

Research has found that by making changes to a school environment, such as providing

nutrition education and parent outreach, the rate of childhood obesity can be significantly

reduced. The study was conducted by the Temple University School of Medicine and The

Food Trust, a nonprofit organization committed to ensuring everyone access to  affordable, nutritious food.

 

More than 1,300 students were followed for two years in several K–8 Philadelphia

schools. Weight, height, and physical activity were measured before and after. Here are some of the changes that were instituted:

 

Nutrition: Candy and soda were eliminated from the school premises. Children were allowed to drink water, 100 percent fruit juice, and low-fat milk. The snacks provided to them were low in fat, sodium, and sugar.

 

Education: Teachers received 10 hours of training in teaching nutrition, and students

received 50 hours of nutrition education over the course of the year.

 

Motivation: Kids were rewarded for healthy snacking, yet encouraged to save their appetites for nutritious meals.

 

Homework: Nutrition educators encouraged parents and students to eat more fruits and vegetables and to purchase healthy snacks outside of the school environment.  Students were challenged to be less sedentary and more physically active.

 

The results: Only 7.5 percent of children became overweight in the intervention schools

as compared to 15 percent in the comparison schools.

 

January 2009 Newsletter