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School Board
Policy – Student Wellness
Administrative Guidelines
Frequently Asked
Questions
Q. What is the big deal? Why are
Coordinated School Health and a wellness policy
needed?
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Our students are facing increased
pressures as never experienced before which can
negatively affect the different aspects of
health such as physical health, mental health,
emotional health and social health.
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One serious negative affect is in
the area of obesity alone. Obesity is
increasing rapidly in the United States,
touching adults and children and people of all
races, ethnicities, and income levels.
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Since 1980, the percentage of
overweight children ages 6 to 11 has
doubled, and the percentage of overweight
adolescents ages 12 to 19 has tripled.
Childhood obesity has both immediate and
long-term serious health impacts.
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In some communities almost
half of pediatric diabetes cases are type 2
diabetes, which was once believed to affect
only adults. Other health issues once
viewed as adult only problems currently
affecting children include high blood
pressure and elevated cholesterol levels.
All of these are linked to the obesity
issue.
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In one large study, 61% of
overweight 5-to 10-year-olds already had
risk factors for heart disease, and 26% had
two or more risk factors for the disease.
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Overweight children have a
greater risk of social and psychological
problems such as discrimination and poor
self-esteem.
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Overweight children have a
70% chance of being overweight as adults –
facing higher risks for many diseases such
as heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and
several types of cancers.
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The costs of treating
obesity-related diseases are staggering and
rising rapidly. Direct health costs rose
from $52 billion in 1995 to $75 billion in
2003.
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Good eating habits and
regular physical activity are critical for
maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately,
less than 25% of adolescents eat enough
fruits and vegetables each day. More than a
third of students in grades 9–12 do not
regularly engage in vigorous physical
activity.
Q. But why public schools, we didn’t
create the problem?
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Reversing the obesity epidemic
requires a long-term, well-coordinated approach
to reach young people where they live, learn,
and play. Schools have a big part to play.
Working with other public, voluntary, and
private sector organizations, schools can play a
critical role in reshaping social and physical
environments and providing information, tools,
and practical strategies to help students adopt
healthy lifestyles.
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More than 95% of young people are
enrolled in schools.
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Students have the opportunity to
eat a large portion of their daily food intake
and to be physically active at school.
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Schools are an ideal setting for
teaching young people how to adopt and maintain
a healthy, active lifestyle.
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Research has shown that
well-designed, well-implemented school programs
can effectively promote physical activity and
healthy eating.
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Emerging research documents the
connections between physical activity, good
nutrition, physical education and nutrition
programs, and academic performance.
Q. Is the wellness policy
mandatory? Who says?
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The Federal School Nutritional
Reauthorization Act of 2005 mandated that all
school systems have a wellness policy in place
by July 2006. The State of Tennessee took it
further by passing a comprehensive Nutrition
Bill TCA 49-6-2307 changing the nutritional
standards for all schools (WCS made the changes
in 2005) and by passing a Physical Activity Bill
which requires all public school system students
to have 90 minutes of physical activity a week.
(Even though below national recommendations and
mandated without funding, the intent is good and
moves everyone in the right direction).
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The State of Tennessee also
passed TCA 49-1-1002 the Coordinated School
Health Improvement Act which states local school
systems will initiate and develop the Center of
Disease Control’s eight component model of
Coordinated School Health. School systems are
expected to be in full compliance and all this
entails within five to seven years of initiating
Coordinated School Health into their system.
Q.
What if we choose not to
participate?
Q.
How are our cafeteria products
affected?
- Drink sizes, no whole milk, sugar content,
sodium content, fat content of all foods, menu
items as well as ala carte restrictions.
- School menus are developed by the
Child Nutrition Managers and Central Office
staff. Menus are nutritionally analyzed by
Registered Dietitian Consultants. Each school
cafeteria will offer the traditional lunch
pattern, and follows the current food pyramid
guidelines, as well as options of salads or sack
lunches.
- Foods
whose nutritional values were once
questioned are now in line with the USDA
minimum requirements. This is true of
all foods in terms of ingredients and
cooking processes. For example, our
pizza has a whole grain crust, low fat
cheese and lower sodium content. Thus
in relation to nutrition and healthy
food choices, pizza can be a good food
choice.
Q. What about foods brought in to the
schools?
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It is agreed by the wellness
committee and Director of Schools, individual
principals can either stop or limit items
brought in. It is suggested that healthy items
be used. The cafeteria can provide foods that
meet all nutrition requirements such as 1 oz.
cookies, low sodium pizza for pizza parties and
etc.
Q. What about fund raisers?
Q.
How will Coordinated School Health be
implemented?
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A health and wellness specialist
has been hired to oversee Coordinated School
Health for the Williamson County school
district. There will be a community member
advisory council, a school administrative staff
health council and each school will have a
school health team that will assess its health
status utilizing the School Health Index
self-assessment and planning guide. This allows
schools to design a school health program unique
to their situation and best for them. This is a
huge initiative and will take a collaborative
effort of all WCS stakeholders.
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