Check out North Carolina's Eat Smart, Move More "energizers," or active breaks, designed for middle school students! These energizers were mentioned on last week's Active Schools teleconference
Resources for elementary schoolers can be found here.
Showing posts with label physical activity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label physical activity. Show all posts
Monday, October 3, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Nutrition and physical activity news digest.
Can a National Food Day Convince Americans to Start Eating Right?
The Atlantic
September 15, 2011
In essence, Food Day is the "Stone Soup" of the food movement: Center for Science in the Public Interest puts the day out there, like a kettle with a stone in it, offering a chance to turn your carrot and my onion and her urban agriculture program and his hunger relief efforts into something remarkable. If groups and individuals organize thousands of Food Day events, big and small, we'll all start to understand not just that public health, sustainability, and food justice are related, but how they are related. It will help us begin to make changes in our own lives and our community's and country's institutions.
Why Americans can’t afford to eat healthy – The real reason Big Macs are cheaper than more nutritious alternatives? Government subsidies
Salon.com
Not surprisingly, the subsidies have manufactured a price inequality that helps junk food undersell nutritious-but-unsubsidized foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables. The end result is that recession-battered consumers are increasingly forced by economic circumstance to “choose” the lower-priced junk food that their taxes support. Corn — which is processed into the junk-food staple corn syrup and which feeds the livestock that produce meat — exemplifies the scheme. “Over the past decade, the federal government has poured more than $50 billion into the corn industry, keeping prices for the crop … artificially low,” reports Time magazine. “That’s why McDonald’s can sell you a Big Mac, fries and a Coke for around $5 — a bargain.”
Offer of soda-industry funds fell flat, as it should have
Philadelphia Inquirer
September 14, 2011
Discusses Philadelphia mayor’s rationale for rejecting funds from soda industry for an anti-obesity program. "It seems to me that accepting money from the beverage industry to fight obesity would be like taking money from the NRA to fight gun violence or from the tobacco industry for smoking cessations," Mayor Nutter said. "I mean, it's ludicrous."
Playground and Park Design: Getting Our Children to Exercise
The Atlantic
September 27, 2011
The current epidemic of obesity among our children and adolescents calls for creative, multidisciplinary approaches to address the problem. Improved nutrition at home, at school, and in the community is critical. Increased exercise is similarly important, but it is well known that the amount and quality of physical exercise declines as young children grow up and continues to decline into adulthood. A recent study looked at the types and amount of exercise that kids engaged in in public parks and offers some insights as to how to improve the physical activity levels of our youth through improved park planning.
Let's Make Let's Move! Even Better
The Atlantic
September 27, 2011
With plenty of room for more food access, farmers' markets continue to provide the most inexpensive, culturally sensitive, and effective option to get fresh produce into America's seriously underserved urban and rural communities. These markets provide jobs and fertile ground for inventive, entrepreneurial approaches to launching food businesses that require low investment -- and can have high impact, creating new jobs and equity opportunities to low-wage workers.
Harvard plate v. USDA MyPlate: an improvement?
Food Politics by Marion Nestle
September 15, 2011
Harvard School of Public Health students adapted the USDA MyPlate to offer more specific guidelines for healthful eating.
The Atlantic
September 15, 2011
In essence, Food Day is the "Stone Soup" of the food movement: Center for Science in the Public Interest puts the day out there, like a kettle with a stone in it, offering a chance to turn your carrot and my onion and her urban agriculture program and his hunger relief efforts into something remarkable. If groups and individuals organize thousands of Food Day events, big and small, we'll all start to understand not just that public health, sustainability, and food justice are related, but how they are related. It will help us begin to make changes in our own lives and our community's and country's institutions.
Why Americans can’t afford to eat healthy – The real reason Big Macs are cheaper than more nutritious alternatives? Government subsidies
Salon.com
Not surprisingly, the subsidies have manufactured a price inequality that helps junk food undersell nutritious-but-unsubsidized foodstuffs like fruits and vegetables. The end result is that recession-battered consumers are increasingly forced by economic circumstance to “choose” the lower-priced junk food that their taxes support. Corn — which is processed into the junk-food staple corn syrup and which feeds the livestock that produce meat — exemplifies the scheme. “Over the past decade, the federal government has poured more than $50 billion into the corn industry, keeping prices for the crop … artificially low,” reports Time magazine. “That’s why McDonald’s can sell you a Big Mac, fries and a Coke for around $5 — a bargain.”
Offer of soda-industry funds fell flat, as it should have
Philadelphia Inquirer
September 14, 2011
Discusses Philadelphia mayor’s rationale for rejecting funds from soda industry for an anti-obesity program. "It seems to me that accepting money from the beverage industry to fight obesity would be like taking money from the NRA to fight gun violence or from the tobacco industry for smoking cessations," Mayor Nutter said. "I mean, it's ludicrous."
Playground and Park Design: Getting Our Children to Exercise
The Atlantic
September 27, 2011
The current epidemic of obesity among our children and adolescents calls for creative, multidisciplinary approaches to address the problem. Improved nutrition at home, at school, and in the community is critical. Increased exercise is similarly important, but it is well known that the amount and quality of physical exercise declines as young children grow up and continues to decline into adulthood. A recent study looked at the types and amount of exercise that kids engaged in in public parks and offers some insights as to how to improve the physical activity levels of our youth through improved park planning.
Let's Make Let's Move! Even Better
The Atlantic
September 27, 2011
With plenty of room for more food access, farmers' markets continue to provide the most inexpensive, culturally sensitive, and effective option to get fresh produce into America's seriously underserved urban and rural communities. These markets provide jobs and fertile ground for inventive, entrepreneurial approaches to launching food businesses that require low investment -- and can have high impact, creating new jobs and equity opportunities to low-wage workers.
Harvard plate v. USDA MyPlate: an improvement?
Food Politics by Marion Nestle
September 15, 2011
Harvard School of Public Health students adapted the USDA MyPlate to offer more specific guidelines for healthful eating.
Friday, August 12, 2011
Prevention Institute: Safe Places to Play and Be Active
All communities should have access to safe places to play and be physically active. The evidence is clear: regular physical activity is critical for healthy mental and physical development, chronic disease prevention, and reducing healthcare costs. Our ability to be active is determined, in large part, by the places in which we live, learn, work, and play. In both rural and urban areas, essential ingredients for physical activity include: safe, well-maintained paths and sidewalks; clean, well-lit parks; accessible school playgrounds; affordable public transit; quality physical education and places to which people can safely walk, roll, and bike.
“Safe Places to Play and Be Active,” a declaration developed by the Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments and the Joint Use Statewide Taskforce to demonstrate a shared vision for equitable and accessible physical activity opportunities for all, provides recommendations across sectors to improve activity environments and provide safe places to play for communities.
Download here: Safe Places to Play and Be Active
“Safe Places to Play and Be Active,” a declaration developed by the Strategic Alliance for Healthy Food and Activity Environments and the Joint Use Statewide Taskforce to demonstrate a shared vision for equitable and accessible physical activity opportunities for all, provides recommendations across sectors to improve activity environments and provide safe places to play for communities.
Download here: Safe Places to Play and Be Active
Wednesday, August 10, 2011
Active Schools Toolkit Updated
 |
| Download the Active Schools Toolkit |
Kids spend most of their day in school. The Active Schools Toolkit can help schools create environments that support increased activity, to ensure our children’s future is healthy.
An active school has many benefits!
Active Schools = Academic Success
- Higher physical fitness test achievement is related to:
- Higher state academic test scores
- Higher attendance and fewer behavioral problems
- Physical activity can help youth improve their concentration, memory, and classroom behavior.
- Are more like to maintain a healthy weight
- Are less likely to develop illnesses such as type 2 diabetes, cancers and other chronic diseases
- Have higher self‐esteem
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Physical activity and health eating standards for afterschool programs
First-ever national healthy eating and physical activity standards developed for afterschool programs
"Energy balance and appropriate physical activity are critical to good health and preventing childhood obesity, which is reaching record numbers in this country. Out-of-school programs provide opportunities for children to not only consume nutritious snacks but also to learn real-life strategies for evaluating food options and making healthy choices," says project co-leader Ellen S. Gannett, director of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time. "If out-of-school programs can influence smart choices for children when they're away from home and out of the classroom, they will be an important component in the campaign to fight childhood obesity."
Among the recommended standards outlined for out-of-school programs – which include before and after school programs, day camps, and overnight camps – are:
"Energy balance and appropriate physical activity are critical to good health and preventing childhood obesity, which is reaching record numbers in this country. Out-of-school programs provide opportunities for children to not only consume nutritious snacks but also to learn real-life strategies for evaluating food options and making healthy choices," says project co-leader Ellen S. Gannett, director of the National Institute on Out-of-School Time. "If out-of-school programs can influence smart choices for children when they're away from home and out of the classroom, they will be an important component in the campaign to fight childhood obesity."
Among the recommended standards outlined for out-of-school programs – which include before and after school programs, day camps, and overnight camps – are:
- Serving fruits and vegetables (fresh, frozen or canned) as options instead of cake, cookies, candy and chips
- Offering water as the preferred drink option during snack times instead of juices, punch boxes or soda
- Dedicating at least 20 percent or at least 30 minutes of morning or afterschool program time to physical activity (60 minutes for a full day program)
- Ensuring that daily physical activity time includes aerobic and age-appropriate muscle and bone strengthening and cardio-respiratory fitness activities
In addition, the new standards elevate the importance of training out-of-school program staff on the role of healthy eating, physical activity and social supports for healthy behavior.
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Letters: Kids need physical activity for health
Letter to the Appleton Post Crescent.
It's time we change the numbers facing our kids: According to the American Heart Association, one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963.
Because of these increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation of kids that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
So what are we doing in Wisconsin to teach kids the skills they need to live a healthier, active life?
Children spend most of their day in school. So, it makes sense our kids have access to comprehensive physical education courses and healthy foods in and out of the classroom.
Appleton East High School and the Outagamie County Fitness and Nutrition Coalition are piloting Active Schools strategies such as Bike to School Week, intramurals, ping pong club, boxing club, zumba dance club, tracking daily exercise with use of pedometers and school tubing trips to increase options for physical activity before, during and after school hours.
To keep kids healthy and fit, it's recommended that they engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Not only does it keep their bodies active, but it keeps their minds active, too.
Regular physical activity is associated with a healthier, longer life and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Research also shows effective physical education programs actually improve academic performance.
As a concerned citizen, I want to make sure our kids learn all the essential skills to live a healthy active life.
Ben Stumpf,
Neenah
It's time we change the numbers facing our kids: According to the American Heart Association, one in three American kids and teens is overweight or obese, nearly triple the rate in 1963.
Because of these increasing rates of obesity, unhealthy eating habits and physical inactivity, we may see the first generation of kids that will have a shorter life expectancy than their parents.
So what are we doing in Wisconsin to teach kids the skills they need to live a healthier, active life?
Children spend most of their day in school. So, it makes sense our kids have access to comprehensive physical education courses and healthy foods in and out of the classroom.
Appleton East High School and the Outagamie County Fitness and Nutrition Coalition are piloting Active Schools strategies such as Bike to School Week, intramurals, ping pong club, boxing club, zumba dance club, tracking daily exercise with use of pedometers and school tubing trips to increase options for physical activity before, during and after school hours.
To keep kids healthy and fit, it's recommended that they engage in at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity each day. Not only does it keep their bodies active, but it keeps their minds active, too.
Regular physical activity is associated with a healthier, longer life and lower risk of cardiovascular disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity and some cancers. Research also shows effective physical education programs actually improve academic performance.
As a concerned citizen, I want to make sure our kids learn all the essential skills to live a healthy active life.
Ben Stumpf,
Neenah
Friday, June 3, 2011
Obesity in the News
PE an Unfortunate Casualty of Budget Cuts [Editorial]
Muncie
May 13, 2011
School programs outside of core academics, such as PE, art and music, are being pitted against each other as they battle to survive. The programs were created not as a luxury, but as a necessity, but inadequate state and federal funding is jeopardizing the development of our children. With our children trending toward obesity and leaving sedentary lifestyles, where the only exercise too many get is texting and working a game console, an argument could be made that PE should be elevated to a core curriculum status.
School programs outside of core academics, such as PE, art and music, are being pitted against each other as they battle to survive. The programs were created not as a luxury, but as a necessity, but inadequate state and federal funding is jeopardizing the development of our children. With our children trending toward obesity and leaving sedentary lifestyles, where the only exercise too many get is texting and working a game console, an argument could be made that PE should be elevated to a core curriculum status.
Schools, State Leaders Tackling Childhood Obesity Epidemic
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
May 27, 2011
Faced with ballooning health care costs, Georgia state leaders, medical providers, schools and others are calling new attention to childhood obesity. Gov. Nathan Deal recently launched the SHAPE initiative -- a statewide program designed to promote fitness and healthy living amongGeorgia
Atlanta Journal-Constitution
May 27, 2011
Faced with ballooning health care costs, Georgia state leaders, medical providers, schools and others are calling new attention to childhood obesity. Gov. Nathan Deal recently launched the SHAPE initiative -- a statewide program designed to promote fitness and healthy living among
Goodbye Food Pyramid, Hello Dinner Plate
New York Times
New York Times
May 27, 2011
Whatever you do, don’t call it a pie chart. The Obama administration is about to ditch the food pyramid, that symbol of healthy eating for the last two decades. In its place officials are dishing up a simple, plate-shaped symbol, sliced into wedges for the basic food groups and half-filled with fruits and vegetables.
Whatever you do, don’t call it a pie chart. The Obama administration is about to ditch the food pyramid, that symbol of healthy eating for the last two decades. In its place officials are dishing up a simple, plate-shaped symbol, sliced into wedges for the basic food groups and half-filled with fruits and vegetables.
Appleton Plans to Install 30 Miles of Bike Lanes in Next 15 Years
Appleton Post Crescent
May 21, 2011
Traffic engineers are rolling out a plan that adds bike lanes and routes on 30 miles of city streets over the next 15 years.
Appleton Post Crescent
May 21, 2011
Traffic engineers are rolling out a plan that adds bike lanes and routes on 30 miles of city streets over the next 15 years.
May 19, 2011
Holmes County , Mississippi , is the most obese county in Mississippi , the most obese state in America
McDonald's Under Pressure to Fire Ronald
Wall Street Journal
Wall Street Journal
May 18, 2011
More than 550 health professionals and organizations have signed a letter to McDonald's Corp. asking the maker of Happy Meals to stop marketing junk food to kids and retire Ronald McDonald. The letter, slated to run in the form of full-page ads in six metropolitan newspapers around the country on Wednesday, acknowledges that "the contributors to today's (health) epidemic are manifold and a broad societal response is required. But marketing can no longer be ignored as a significant part of this massive problem."
More than 550 health professionals and organizations have signed a letter to McDonald's Corp. asking the maker of Happy Meals to stop marketing junk food to kids and retire Ronald McDonald. The letter, slated to run in the form of full-page ads in six metropolitan newspapers around the country on Wednesday, acknowledges that "the contributors to today's (health) epidemic are manifold and a broad societal response is required. But marketing can no longer be ignored as a significant part of this massive problem."
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
DCF names Library Square School in Kenosha as a Rising Star
To honor child care providers and in celebration of Provider Appreciation Day, the Department of Children and Families has selected six Rising Star providers, including one of the 20 Active Early pilot sites. Library Square School is a shining example of how thoughtful changes can have a big impact. These child care providers know that physical activity is good for a child's body and mind. To encourage this, teachers had led play that involved physical activity. However, with the support of YoungStar, a Department of Children and Families initiative, and with Active Early, a Department of Health Services program, the children are now taking the lead on being healthy.
Tuesday, May 31, 2011
Speaking up for physical activity.
From the Be Active Your Way blog:
In all likelihood, if you are reading this blog, you're already well aware of the myriad of benefits associated with being regularly physically active, and you likely meet or exceed federal physical activity guidelines. What you may be less aware of are the ways in which you can become a voice for physical activity promotion in your community, so that your neighbors, colleagues, and friends can also realize the benefits of being more active.
Maybe you've noticed that physical education is no longer required in your children's school, that there are unsafe sidewalks in your town, or no bike racks where you work, while others never give you thought to such issues. As an individual, what can you do? With May being National Physical Activity Month, you can use the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) to become a voice for change that echoes for months to come.
Read more...
In all likelihood, if you are reading this blog, you're already well aware of the myriad of benefits associated with being regularly physically active, and you likely meet or exceed federal physical activity guidelines. What you may be less aware of are the ways in which you can become a voice for physical activity promotion in your community, so that your neighbors, colleagues, and friends can also realize the benefits of being more active.
Maybe you've noticed that physical education is no longer required in your children's school, that there are unsafe sidewalks in your town, or no bike racks where you work, while others never give you thought to such issues. As an individual, what can you do? With May being National Physical Activity Month, you can use the National Physical Activity Plan (NPAP) to become a voice for change that echoes for months to come.
Read more...
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Outagamie County: Press Release for Bike Month
Appleton East and Neenah's Hoover Elementary Gear Up for Bike Month
Contact: Jennifer Van Den Elzen or Ben Stumpf
Phone: 920-832-4452; 920-284-0917
May is National Bike Month! Celebrate this month by biking to work, school, the store, or just leisurely with your family.
Both schools are also partnering with local physical activity focused coalitions, the Fitness And Nutrition (FAN) Coalition and Walk to Win, and participating in an Active Schools initiative to get kids up and moving every day and to fight the rising problem of obesity in our nation and state. Active Schools focuses on environmental or policy changes that can be made in the school setting to help kids meet the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.
“Bike to School Week is a great opportunity for students to get out and ride for fun, fitness or transportation,” said Ben Stumpf , of the Active Schools Grant Team at Appleton East.
Why is this important?
- Physical activity can help children improve their concentration, memory, and classroom behavior.
- Research shows that higher physical fitness is related to higher state academic test scores, higher attendance, and fewer negative school incidents.
- Half of
Wisconsin students are getting an F in physical activity recommendations – a grade no parent wants to see. - Children are increasingly being diagnosed with obesity-related chronic illnesses.
- More than 25% of
Wisconsin
What is being done?
Appleton East and Hoover Elementary are promoting physical activity in the classroom, at recess, at home, and before and after school. Students have the opportunity to learn the importance of eating healthy and being active.
Appleton East students and faculty who ride their bikes to school during the week of Monday, May 23 may be able to win prizes, including a bike from Chain Reaction Cyclery of Appleton. Free breakfast will be provided to all participants on Bike to School Day. East High School
Tips to help keep you safe while biking:
- Keep your bike in proper working order.
- Have your bike checked over by your local bike shop.
- Learn the routine maintenance that needs to be done on your bike.
- Always wear a helmet to protect your head in the event of a crash.
- Ride on the right side of the road, always in the same direction as other traffic.
- Ride as far to the right as practical, not as far right as possible. Practical means safe and reasonable.
- Obey all stop signs, traffic lights and lane markings.
- Look before you change lanes or signal a turn; indicate your intention, then act.
- Be visible and predictable at all times; wear bright clothing and signal turns.
About the Fitness And Nutrition (FAN) Coalition: FAN grew out of the Outagamie County Community Health Improvement Planning process, which identified nutrition, physical activity and obesity prevention as priority health issues for our county. This collaboration strives to create environments that support and promote healthy eating, daily physical activity, and a healthy weight in the places we live, learn, work and play. We work to build capacity within our community to implement best, evidence-based and promising strategies, identify and enhance communication with non-traditional partners, and create opportunities for program sustainability. In addition to partnering with Appleton East High School
About Walk to Win: Walk to Win is an annual community walking program that has been in existence since 2002. The program is heavily promoted to area schools and businesses, but is open to all individuals 5 years of age or older, employed or residing in the counties of Calumet , Outagamie or Winnebago. All participants are challenged to walk 30 minutes a day at least 5 times a week over a 3-month period in the fall. This program is part of the solution to encouraging our citizens to engage in positive behaviors that impact their health. For more information, visit http://www.walktowin.org/.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
National Walking Survey
Help America Walks learn more about who walks, and why we walk. This survey will take only 5 minutes to complete and results are anonymous.
The National Walking Survey results will help walking advocates understand what motivates avid walkers, and what keeps others from walking more. Once the data is analyzed, America Walks will tell you what we've learned to help promote walking in America.
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Recent Poll Shows Parents Want More Physical Activity at School
The University of Michigan C.S. Mott Children's Hospital National Poll on Children's Health asked parents of children 6 to 11 years old for their views about physical activity in schools. The results may surprise you:
"Parents are virtually unanimous that it's very important for elementary-school kids to get physical activity during every school day." says Sarah Clark, MPH, who directed the poll.
A few other key points from the poll:
For more information about the poll, visit http://www.med.umich.edu/mott/npch/
"Parents are virtually unanimous that it's very important for elementary-school kids to get physical activity during every school day." says Sarah Clark, MPH, who directed the poll.
A few other key points from the poll:
- Overweight and obese parents were more likely than other parents to view school-time activity as essential for preventing obesity and promoting healthy physical development.
- 35% of parents feel their children's schools have too little time in gym class; 26% think there is not enough equipment on the playground; 22% say there is too little time for recess.
- Parents' responses are especially important given the budget pressures on schools, illustrating that parents value the benefits of physical activity - not only for obesity prevention, but for academic success as well.
For more information about the poll, visit http://www.med.umich.edu/mott/npch/
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
Wisconsin Complete Streets Network
Guest post written by Julie Logue, Technical Assistance Coordinator for Physical Activity, Communities Putting Prevention to Work program at the WI Department of Health Services.
What if these roads had been constructed with people in mind or Complete Streets? Pedestrians, children, seniors, bicyclists, and people using wheelchairs can safely move along and across a complete street. Bikeable/walkable roads have been shown to reduce injuries to pedestrians, improve air quality and make it possible for our children to be active. Research shows that people who live in neighborhoods with complete streets get an average of 30-45 minutes more exercise per week than those who do not. When roads are made safe for bicycling and walking, more people choose to use them. By improving the “built environment,” communities improve the health of people in their communities as well. While individuals are responsible for their own health, communities can encourage healthy behaviors by the policies they create.
We are lucky to have a strong state Complete Streets Law in Wisconsin, but in La Crosse County, for example, 53% of road projects use local funding and wouldn’t be covered by our state and federal Complete Streets laws. Through the adoption of local complete streets policies, we can create a seamless network of cities, towns, streets and highways that encourage people to walk out their front doors and be active.
To help support Complete Streets, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, in partnership with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, has formed a state-wide Complete Streets Network. Complete Streets state-wide networking calls are hosted bi-monthly, and are open to individuals throughout the state who are interested in learning more about the benefits of local Complete Streets policies, and how individuals and organizations can effectively develop Complete Streets initiatives in their communities. To join or learn more about the Complete Streets network, please contact Julie Logue via email at julie.logue@wisconsin.gov. To learn more about La Crosse’s Complete Streets initiative, please contact Jack Zabrowski at zabrowski.jack@co.la-crosse.wi.us. You can follow progress in La Crosse by visiting the “LaCrosse Complete Streets” Facebook page, and/or the GetActive La Crosse website.
What if these roads had been constructed with people in mind or Complete Streets? Pedestrians, children, seniors, bicyclists, and people using wheelchairs can safely move along and across a complete street. Bikeable/walkable roads have been shown to reduce injuries to pedestrians, improve air quality and make it possible for our children to be active. Research shows that people who live in neighborhoods with complete streets get an average of 30-45 minutes more exercise per week than those who do not. When roads are made safe for bicycling and walking, more people choose to use them. By improving the “built environment,” communities improve the health of people in their communities as well. While individuals are responsible for their own health, communities can encourage healthy behaviors by the policies they create. We are lucky to have a strong state Complete Streets Law in Wisconsin, but in La Crosse County, for example, 53% of road projects use local funding and wouldn’t be covered by our state and federal Complete Streets laws. Through the adoption of local complete streets policies, we can create a seamless network of cities, towns, streets and highways that encourage people to walk out their front doors and be active.
To help support Complete Streets, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, in partnership with the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin, has formed a state-wide Complete Streets Network. Complete Streets state-wide networking calls are hosted bi-monthly, and are open to individuals throughout the state who are interested in learning more about the benefits of local Complete Streets policies, and how individuals and organizations can effectively develop Complete Streets initiatives in their communities. To join or learn more about the Complete Streets network, please contact Julie Logue via email at julie.logue@wisconsin.gov. To learn more about La Crosse’s Complete Streets initiative, please contact Jack Zabrowski at zabrowski.jack@co.la-crosse.wi.us. You can follow progress in La Crosse by visiting the “LaCrosse Complete Streets” Facebook page, and/or the GetActive La Crosse website.
Photo from pedbikeimages.org
Friday, April 8, 2011
Active Recess
"In the face of this accumulated wisdom, the question is why so many educators across the nation have, in recent years, decided that it is acceptable to reduce or eliminate recess."
By David Bornstein,New York Times, April 7, 2011
 |
| Tracie Faust, New York Times |
Active recess involves purposefully designing the playground and recess activities to encourage physical activity for all students. It also involves including a minimum of 20 minutes of recess each day for students in elementary and middle school.
Active recess provides children with a guarantee of non-structured play each day, with equipment and supplies needed to be physically active on the playground. It provides some structure to recess and may include several activity stations scattered around the playground and green spaces. It is one of 17 strategies included in the Active Schools Toolkit.
“Active Recess has had a positive impact on students and staff. Students are more active and staff has noticed a decrease in discipline referrals.”
Hoover Elementary, Neenah, WI
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Manitowoc County CAN and U --> CAN: Public nurses discuss health initiatives with Leibham
Julie Reimer and Amy Storm, public health nurses from Manitowoc and Calumet counties, respectively, discussed the Active Schools Initiative and other health-related issues during a recent visit with state Sen. Joe Leibham.
Coverage in the Herald Times Reporter summarizes the topics covered during the visit. Read the article.
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
County Health Rankings Show There is More to Health Than Health Care
Annual Health Check-Up Highlights Healthiest and Least Healthy Counties in Every State
How healthy is your county? A new set of reports released today rank the overall health of nearly every county in the nation, confirming for the second year the critical role that factors such as education, jobs, income, environment and access to health care play in how healthy people are and how long they live. Rankings include obesity rates, access to health foods, and access to recreational facilities.
How will your coalition use the County Health Rankings to talk about the work you're doing to prevent obesity in your community?
Update:
Outagamie, Calumet counties early high marks in health assessments
Outagamie County: "We're really focused on environmental and policy changes that make the healthy choice the easy choice," Melody Bockenfeld, Outagamie County health officer.
Waupaca County: The county's health department and the Extension now lead a NuAct (Nutrition and Activity) Coalition that has received grants to benefit the entire county.
"We wouldn't have been able to do that alone as a health department," said Gail Yest, Waupaca County health officer.
The Waupaca Community Garden — which raises produce for food pantries, senior centers and other outlets — used a federal grant to expand to Weyauwega and Clintonville.
Yest is pleased that access to healthy foods increased from 40 percent to 60 percent this year in Waupaca County, and that access to clinical care — another priority goal — is ranked 10th this year, up significantly from 37 in 2010.
How healthy is your county? A new set of reports released today rank the overall health of nearly every county in the nation, confirming for the second year the critical role that factors such as education, jobs, income, environment and access to health care play in how healthy people are and how long they live. Rankings include obesity rates, access to health foods, and access to recreational facilities.
How will your coalition use the County Health Rankings to talk about the work you're doing to prevent obesity in your community?
Update:
Outagamie, Calumet counties early high marks in health assessments
April 2, 2011Appleton Post-Crescent
 |
| Sharon Cekada/Appleton Post-Crescent |
Waupaca County: The county's health department and the Extension now lead a NuAct (Nutrition and Activity) Coalition that has received grants to benefit the entire county.
"We wouldn't have been able to do that alone as a health department," said Gail Yest, Waupaca County health officer.
The Waupaca Community Garden — which raises produce for food pantries, senior centers and other outlets — used a federal grant to expand to Weyauwega and Clintonville.
Yest is pleased that access to healthy foods increased from 40 percent to 60 percent this year in Waupaca County, and that access to clinical care — another priority goal — is ranked 10th this year, up significantly from 37 in 2010.
Friday, February 25, 2011
Friday, Feb. 25
A sampling of obesity in the news this week:
Wisconsin
Column: American Heart Month; State of the State
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, 02/19/2011 “(Obesity) is a major contributor to heart disease and continues to affect larger numbers of American youth. We must promote physical activity for our children and ourselves in order to maintain healthy lifestyles and communities,” wrote State Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore.
The problem: Obesity and lack of physical activity
La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse County Health Department, 02/19/2011 “Nearly 1 in 4 high school students and 2 of 3 adults in La Crosse County are overweight or obese. Overweight or obese youth are at higher risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease at a young age.
Nationally (adapted from RWJF News Digest: Childhood Obesity)
Hurley Elementary Is Inspiring Students to Run Toward Better Health
Visalia Times-Delta, Hillary S. Meeks, 02/21/2011
Sun or fog, during January and February, youngsters at Hurley Elementary School in Visalia can be seen running around the makeshift track that was created five years ago for the aspiring marathon runners. Four laps, past the basketball courts and through the soccer fields and back around the playground equals one mile. Each time the 1-mile marker is hit, the participating student gets another flip-flop charm to add to his or her necklace of “soles.” Eventually, those charms will add up to 26.2 miles — a full marathon — one mile at a time. About 80 percent of the student body participates, said Julie Berk, the school's principal.
Jackson Elementary Promotes Better Nutrition With Salad Bar
Whittier Daily News, Tracy Garcia, 02/24/2011
They've already amped up their Physical Education program and educated parents about health and nutrition - and now, a new salad bar at Jackson Elementary School is giving upper-graders more of a say in the food choices they make. The portable salad bar, funded by a $3,000 grant from the Kaiser Permanente Downey medical office, was rolled out for the first time last week at Jackson - and it's the first such salad bar in the Whittier City School District.
A sampling of obesity in the news this week:
Wisconsin
Column: American Heart Month; State of the State
Wisconsin Rapids Tribune, Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, 02/19/2011 “(Obesity) is a major contributor to heart disease and continues to affect larger numbers of American youth. We must promote physical activity for our children and ourselves in order to maintain healthy lifestyles and communities,” wrote State Rep. Amy Sue Vruwink, D-Milladore.
The problem: Obesity and lack of physical activity
La Crosse Tribune, La Crosse County Health Department, 02/19/2011 “Nearly 1 in 4 high school students and 2 of 3 adults in La Crosse County are overweight or obese. Overweight or obese youth are at higher risk for developing diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease at a young age.
Nationally (adapted from RWJF News Digest: Childhood Obesity)
Hurley Elementary Is Inspiring Students to Run Toward Better Health
Visalia Times-Delta, Hillary S. Meeks, 02/21/2011
Sun or fog, during January and February, youngsters at Hurley Elementary School in Visalia can be seen running around the makeshift track that was created five years ago for the aspiring marathon runners. Four laps, past the basketball courts and through the soccer fields and back around the playground equals one mile. Each time the 1-mile marker is hit, the participating student gets another flip-flop charm to add to his or her necklace of “soles.” Eventually, those charms will add up to 26.2 miles — a full marathon — one mile at a time. About 80 percent of the student body participates, said Julie Berk, the school's principal.
Jackson Elementary Promotes Better Nutrition With Salad Bar
Whittier Daily News, Tracy Garcia, 02/24/2011
They've already amped up their Physical Education program and educated parents about health and nutrition - and now, a new salad bar at Jackson Elementary School is giving upper-graders more of a say in the food choices they make. The portable salad bar, funded by a $3,000 grant from the Kaiser Permanente Downey medical office, was rolled out for the first time last week at Jackson - and it's the first such salad bar in the Whittier City School District.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Thinking about physical activity
We received a question this week about tools for assessing how much physical activity is currently taking place in schools. Here are some resources that might help coalitions work with schools to assess the current physical activity environment.
The Active Schools Toolkit assessment checklist is a good place to start. The toolkit still says draft because DPI is piloting it right now, but it’s definitely a useable tool!
Following are tools that are more comprehensive than just physical activity. You could either focus on the physical activity portions or complete the whole assessment to get a broader sense of what your district is doing well and what areas might need work.
The Active Schools Toolkit assessment checklist is a good place to start. The toolkit still says draft because DPI is piloting it right now, but it’s definitely a useable tool!
Following are tools that are more comprehensive than just physical activity. You could either focus on the physical activity portions or complete the whole assessment to get a broader sense of what your district is doing well and what areas might need work.
- The Wisconsin School Health Award also has some helpful questions about school wellness policies, activity and movement, and physical activity/education. As a bonus, you could work with you school to apply for the Wisconsin School Health Award. Applications are due March 15, 2011!
- The CDC encourages schools to use the School Health Index, a self-assessment and planning tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety policies and programs. Note, the self-assessment process involves members of your school community coming together to discuss what your school is already doing to promote good health and to identify your strengths and weaknesses.
Additionally, you might consider assessing your school district’s current Wellness Policy.
WellSAT provides a standard method for quantitative assessment of school wellness policies. The tool offers a consistent and reliable means of assessing the comprehensiveness and strength of school wellness policies. The tool takes about 45 minutes to complete.
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