Building Healthy Habits at School

Experts tell us that our nation is in the midst of an "obesity epidemic", and sadly, obesity is one of Arkansas's most prevalent health problems. Fortunately, it is also one of the most preventable. The percentage of overweight and obese adults in our State has increased from more than 53 percent to nearly 66 percent over the past decade. Among Arkansas children in grades pre-K through 12, almost 38 percent were overweight or obese at last count, compared to 29 percent nationwide. That places us in the bottom two states in terms of the number of children struggling with obesity. As the nation works to reform health care, it's time to transform these unhealthy statistics and to change the lives of obese Arkansans, especially children, for the better.

Overweight and obese children develop chronic health conditions at higher rates, including diabetes and hypertension. Obesity can lead to other serious health problems, among them heart disease, high blood pressure, arthritis, respiratory issues, reproductive complications, skeletal and joint problems, and decreased endurance.

In a laudable step toward addressing this challenge, the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission, the Arkansas Department of Education's Office of Coordinated School Health, and Arkansas Children's Hospital have partnered to launch a $700,000 grant program to tackle childhood obesity and promote health and wellness in schools. The Child Wellness Intervention Program is designed to promote high-quality physical education in our public elementary and middle schools. Schools that receive this grant will be able to craft stronger health and physical education curricula. The ultimate goal of the program is to ingrain healthy physical activity into children's lives in a way that transcends the school day. Just as schools assume responsibility for teaching children math and reading, so, too, should they foster a culture of healthy habits for students.

While creating health risks for children, obesity also can contribute to problems within our education system. Overweight children are less productive and alert at school, which can decrease potential for academic - and ultimately professional - success. We all share the goal of economic progress in our State, so we must do everything we can to ensure that our children come to school every day ready to learn.

Fighting obesity takes time and persistence. It requires committed efforts from teachers, parents, school administrators, nurses and doctors, cafeteria workers, athletics coaches, and most important, the children themselves. There is no overnight solution, but this intervention program will fund new P.E. equipment, provide access to interactive fitness-themed software, and train teachers to tailor coursework with an emphasis on health and exercise. These are first steps in the fight against obesity.

I encourage public schools that have not yet done so to apply for this grant. Schools must submit a letter of intent by October 30 and the grant application by November 20. Forms are available online at the Arkansas Tobacco Settlement Commission's Web site: atsc.arkansas.gov. Make your school a model in promoting physical education that will help children inside the classroom and, hopefully, last a lifetime.

By building healthy environments in our homes and schools, we can give our children the chance for a healthier life, and make a substantive investment in our future.