USDA PROPOSES STANDARDS FOR SNACK FOODS SOLD AT SCHOOL  — The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released the proposed rule for competitive food standards as required by the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, the National School Lunch Program and School Breakfast Program: Nutrition Standards for All Foods Sold in School. The standards cover all food sold on the school campus, during the school day, aside from reimbursable meals. They were published in the Federal Register on February 8, 2013 and will be open for public comment until April 9, 2013. Source: USDA memo (2/1/13)

FIRST NATIONAL ACTION PLAN FOR YOUTH SPORTS SAFETY RELEASED — The Youth Sports Safety Alliance, a group of more than 100 associations dedicated to keeping young athletes safe, released its National Action Plan for Sports Safety, a first-of-its-kind manifesto with specific, agreed-upon recommendations. The plan addresses head injuries and concussions, cardiac emergencies, neurologic injuries, environmental conditions, and dietary/substance-induced conditions. Convened by the National Athletic Trainers Association, the Alliance includes education associations, health care professionals, parent advocacy groups, and others. Source: Youth Sports Safety Alliance (2/6/13)

MOST SOUTH CAROLINA SCHOOL DISTRICTS FAIL TO ADHERE TO STATE SEX ED LAWS, STUDY FINDS — A study by the New Morning Foundation reports a majority of South Carolina school districts do not meet state requirements for reproductive health education. The New Morning Foundation analyzed data for how school districts taught reproductive health education and determined that three out of four school districts were not adhering to at least one requirement of the state’s Comprehensive Health Education Act. Findings also showed many district policies regarding reproductive health education were inadequate or outdated. South Carolina’s Comprehensive Health Education Act, established to regulate health education instruction, includes requirements for teaching reproductive health and monitoring district compliance. Source: Palmetto Public Record (1/18/13)

SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAM HELPS KEEP NYC STUDENTS SAFE — The federal Safe Routes to School program improved the safety of children who walk to more than 120 schools in New York City, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. The study conducted by researchers at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health examined the effectiveness of the national Safe Routes to School program and found that children who walked one of the studied routes to school between 2001-10 were 44 percent less likely to be injured than previously. In parts of the city where the Safe Routes to School program was not implemented, there was no change in the injury rates. Safe Routes to School was established in 2005 to provide safe environments for children walking or biking to school. Sources: Education Week (1/15/13), Pediatrics (2/1/13)

BULLYING CLIMATES TERRORIZE ALL STUDENTS — Bullying has a negative effect on all students, according to a recent study in the Journal of School Health. Researchers examined data from the Virginia High School Safety Study to determine the effect of bullying on bystanders, as well as intended victims. The sample was limited to the responses of 9th-graders because considerable research shows that school engagement during this year is a strong predictor of future academic success. Students answered questions about bullying climates, school commitment, and school involvement, and results showed that schools with a bullying environment also had low levels of school commitment and school involvement among all students. Researchers recommended that bullying prevention programs should have a school-wide focus designed to improve academic and social experiences for all students. Source: Journal of School Health (Jan. 2013)

REPORT: IN-SHAPE STUDENTS PERFORM BETTER ACADEMICALLY — A study in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness suggests that students in good physical condition academically outperform their overweight peers. Researchers from Michigan State University evaluated how the performance of 312 middle school students in 6th through 8th grades was affected by physical fitness by administering a series of five FITNESSGRAM tests. Results revealed that students who fell into the Healthy Fitness Zone category in all five tests performed better academically on tests and in their grades. Findings also showed that the fitness components most strongly associated with academic achievement were cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength and endurance. Sources: Education Week (12/7/12), Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness (Dec. 2012)

NEW DATA SHOWS MANY YOUTH BORN WITH HIV UNAWARE THEY WERE INFECTED AT FIRT SEXUAL EXPERIENCE — A study by the National Institutes of Health found that 20 percent of youth who were born HIV-positive did not know they were infected when they started having sex. The study surveyed 330 HIV-positive youth ages 10 – 18-years-old. Findings also showed that of those youths who knew their status, most said they had not disclosed their HIV status to their partner prior to sexual activity. Lack of condom use was also reported among the youth surveyed. To help combat these problems, researchers recommended that children be informed about their HIV status before they become sexually active. They also urged all health care providers to reinforce the importance of practicing safe sex and of disclosing their status to their partners. Source: NIH News (11/9/12)

STUDY LINKS FUTURE BONE LOSS TO SMOKING BY TEEN GIRLS — Smoking may increase the risk for future osteoporosis among teen girls according to a study in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Researchers at the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center examined the effects of smoking, alcohol consumption, depression, and anxiety on bone mineral content and bone mineral density of 262 females 11 to 19 years of age. Although women in the study sample consumed less calcium than nationally recommended guidelines, smoking and symptoms of depression were associated with lower rates of bone mineral density in the lumbar spine and hip bone. Larger studies, however, are needed to take into consideration geographic and racial differences among adolescent females. Source: NIH MedlinePlus (12/4/2012)

D.C. STUDENTS SCORE HIGH ON STANDARDIZED HEALTH EXAM — Students in the District of Columbia scored higher on the state’s standardized health exam than they did in reading or math. Seventy-five percent of the District’s high school students correctly answered questions on sexuality, safety, physical education, emotional health, and reproduction. Together, students in the District’s public and charter schools answered 62 percent of the questions accurately. Officials added health questions to the District’s Comprehensive Assessment System in response to the Healthy Schools Act of 2010, which promotes health and well-being as an important part of academic success. More than 11,000 students in the 5th and 8th grades and high school took the exam last spring. Source: Washington Times (12/13/12)

MICHIGAN STATE BOARD UPDATES PHYSICAL EDUCATION AND ACTIVITY POLICIES — The Michigan State Board of Education adopted its revised “Model Policy on Quality Physical Education and Physical Activity in Schools.” The policy is aligned with national recommendations for physical education and now includes physical activity components that are also aligned with national recommendations. It is intended as a guide for school districts in the development of their own policies. In March 2011, NASBE staff helped the Michigan state board begin this process and has continued to provide technical assistance through a grant from CDC’s School Health Branch. An online toolkit will now be created to help with implementation, funded through this same CDC grant. Source: Michigan Department of Education press release (12/20/12)

USDA PROVIDES FLEXIBILITY WITH UPDATED SCHOOL MEAL RULES — Based on public feedback about the challenges of implementing the updated school meals regulations, the U.S. Department of Agriculture loosened some requirements regarding servings of meat and grains. This set of standards for the meals programs is the first that requires calorie limits for school lunches, and school officials complained that it was difficult to create menus that complied with the new limits while also limiting the amount of protein and whole grains for the first time. In late December, USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack announced in a letter to Congress that the department would temporarily eliminate the limits on protein and relax the requirements for grains as a way to give schools flexibility as they adjust to the updated meal standards. Source: USDA memo (12/20/12)

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SURVEY OF STATE PHYSICAL EDUCATION POLICIES RELEASED — The National Association for Sport and Physical Education released its annual Shape of the Nation report, a scan of state physical education policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The report is based on a survey given to physical education specialists in each of the state education agencies. For more about state-level physical education policies and links to policy language, also visit NASBE’s State School Health Policy Database.

CDC UPDATES SCHOOL HEALTH INDEX — CDC’s School Health Index: Self-Assessment & Planning Guide 2012 is a tool that schools can use to improve their health and safety programs. A recent version has been updated to add sexual health topics, a family and community involvement module, and updated nutrition content. Both the interactive, online version and a downloadable, printable version can be accessed here.

USDA PROVIDES FUNDING FOR FARM-TO-SCHOOL PROGRAMS — USDA’s Food and Nutrition Services announced the first-ever round of 68 grantees from 37 states that will share over $4.5 million to implement farm-to-school programs. The grants are authorized through provisions of the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act of 2010 and will be used to support agriculture and nutrition education and improve access to locally grown food. More information, including a list of grantees by state, is available here. The 2014 application has also been released, with a deadline of April 24, 2013.

NEW CDC REPORT LOOKS AT EXISTING STATE STANDARDS FOR SNACK FOODS AT SCHOOL — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released Competitive Foods and Beverages in U.S. Schools: A State Policy Analysis, which reported that 39 states have laws, regulations, or policies related to competitive food and beverages in schools, while 11 states have none. The report, which cites NASBE’s school health policy database as a primary source, compares existing standards to the set of standards recommended by the Institutes of Medicine and gives state-by-state analysis of their findings.

REPORT SHOWS INCREASES IN SCHOOL BREAKFAST PARTICIPATION — The newest School Breakfast Report Card from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC) indicates huge increases in participation in the federal School Breakfast Program. FRAC determined that for the first time, more than half of all low-income students who participate in school lunch also participate in school breakfast programs, and 90 percent of schools that participate in the National School Lunch Program also participate in the School Breakfast Program. The state-by-state analysis shows growth in every state, with 10 states showing double-digit increases from last year. Strategies such as offering free breakfast to all students, serving breakfast in the classroom, and implementation of the new Community Eligibility Option are credited for these results. Similar findings are also discussed in a separate FRAC report, School Breakfast: Making It Work in Large School Districts.

PARENTS ADMIT RESPONSIBILITY FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY — In a new survey from Yale’s Rudd Center for Food Policy and Obesity, 60 percent of parents blamed themselves for the rise in childhood obesity, with the rest of the responsibility assigned to an unhealthy food environment. The online survey of 2,454 parents with children ages 2 to 17 with an average family income of $59,000 was conducted three times from 2009-11. Expense, easy access, and children’s media use and advertising were cited as the top barriers to ensuring healthy eating habits for their families. Source: Los Angeles Times (11/1/12)

STUDY FINDS SMARTPHONE USE INCREASES TEENS’ SEXUAL ACTIVITY — Researchers at the University of Southern California found the use of smartphones increases the likelihood of sex among teens. The study results presented at the American Public Health Association’s annual conference revealed that teenagers with smartphones are 1.5 times more likely to be sexually active, almost twice as likely to be solicited for sex online, and more than twice as likely to have sex with someone they met online. The study team analyzed data from 1,839 students within the Los Angeles Unified School District. Findings from the study also showed that non-heterosexual teenagers are five times more likely to solicit sex online than their heterosexual classmates. Sources: New York Daily News (11/5/12), University of Southern California School of Social Work (11/9/12)

REGULAR MEALS DECREASE CHILDREN’S OBESITY RISK — Preliminary data from Indiana University research suggests the combination of consuming more meals and playing sports reduces children’s risk for gaining weight or remaining overweight. Conversely, consuming soda, watching TV, and playing video games increases students’ risk of gaining weight or remaining overweight, said the study’s author. The study examined 5,300 students at 11 schools who participated in the Healthy, Energetic, Ready, Outstanding, Enthusiastic Schools (HEROES) program. Findings of the survey also showed that a school’s socioeconomic environment influenced students’ weights, with obesity or overweight more likely in poorer schools. Sources: MedlinePlus (10/30/12), Indiana University (10/30/12)

VICTIMIZED STUDENTS MORE LIKELY TO CONSIDER SUICIDE — A study in the Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine found that bullied or abused students are more likely than their peers to consider suicide. The report concluded that children who suffer from seven or more types of victimization are six times more likely to contemplate suicide than other students. Other findings were that within a month prior to the start of the study, 4.3 percent of the students interviewed had experienced suicidal thoughts. Findings also showed that youth who were sexually assaulted were 3.4 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and those who were maltreated were 4.4 times more likely to experience suicidal thoughts. The study examined nearly 1,200 children aged 10 to 17. Sources: MedlinePlus (10/22/12), Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine (10/22/12)

MIXED DATA ON LEAD LEVELS FOUND IN MINNESOTA CHILDREN — Unsafe lead levels in Minnesota children are down significantly from 1995. Data released by the Minnesota Department of Health indicates the number of children with high levels of lead in their blood went from 4,339 in 1995 to 584 in 2011. However, federal health officials changed safety standards for lead levels since then, and under these new standards more than 3,000 Minnesota children are still considered as having unsafe lead content in their blood. Source: Star Tribune (10/25/12)

CHILDREN WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES ARE MORE LIKELY TO BULLY — Children with mental disorders are three times more likely to be bullies than other children, according to Brown University researchers. Their survey, presented in October at the American Academy of Pediatrics National Conference and Exhibition, concluded that children diagnosed with depression were three times more likely to be identified as bullies by parents or guardians, and children diagnosed with Oppositional Defiant Disorder were six times more likely to receive this label. The data came from the 2007 National Survey of Children’s Health of more than 64,000 children. Source: American Academy of Pediatrics web post (10/22/12)

SURVEY SHOWS AGREEMENT WITH FEDERAL SCHOOL FOOD STANDARDS — The California Endowment reported 91 percent of parents with children in California public schools support the new federal meals standards under the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act being implemented in schools this year, and 82 percent of students agree. Both groups surveyed also approved of the new calorie limits and agreed that school lunches have improved over past meals. Additionally, majorities in both groups want the new standards to include food sold outside of the federal meal program, such as in vending machines and school stores. Six hundred parents and 509 students were surveyed in early October 2012.

These findings were released at the same time as a report from the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project showed that rising obesity rates may be caused by overconsumption of just 110 to 165 calories daily. This is roughly the same number of calories that differentiates a snack of an apple from a bag of chips, though most secondary schools do not sell fruits and vegetables in their school stores, snack bars, or vending machines. Sources: The California Endowment press release (10/18/12), Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project press release (11/1/12)

COOPERATIVE EXERGAMES LEAD TO TEEN WEIGHT LOSS — Overweight students who participated in a 20-week “Wii Club” during the 2009-10 school year in which they played exercise games that forced them to cooperate with their peers to earn points lost an average of 3.6 pounds during that period. Students in the control group, who did not play the games, gained 1.9 pounds over the same period, while students in a third experimental group who played exergames in competition with other students maintained their weight. The study by researchers from the Children’s Digital Media Center at Georgetown University was funded through a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Heath Games Research program and published in the journal, Obesity. Seventy-four overweight and obese high school students in an under-resourced neighborhood in Washington, DC were recruited to participate by playing the exergames 30-60 minutes per school day during lunchtime or after school. Source: Pioneering Ideas blog (10/30/12)

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POLICIES TO PROMOTE SCHOOL SAFETY AND PREVENT VIOLENCE  
NASBE released a new chapter in its acclaimed Fit, Healthy, and Ready to Learn series of school health policy guides, Policies to Promote School Safety and Prevent Violence. The chapter covers a wide array of topics, including comprehensive planning, safety inspections and maintenance, school security, safe routes to school and driver education, anti-bullying strategies, health and safety education, and preventing athletic injuries.

FREE RESOURCES TO HELP WITH NEW SCHOOL MEALS — The U.S. Department of Agriculture Food and Nutrition Services’ “The School Day Just Got Healthier” campaign offers a variety of resources for administrators, educators, parents, and students to help them learn more about and adapt to implementation of the new school meal pattern. Visit the program site to access fact sheets on athletic programs and afterschool meal services, frequently asked questions about calories in school meals, and more tools.

RESOURCE AVAILABLE FOR CREATING STRONG PHYSICAL ACTIVITY PROGRAMS THROUGH POLICY — The National Physical Activity Plan’s Comprehensive School Physical Activity Program (CSPAP) Policy Continuum is a valuable resource for policymakers to determine what policy options are best for their communities. The tool provides a list of model policy language that address several key areas, with each example rated according to its objective strength. Additionally, the continuum provides suggestions for monitoring progress and requiring accountability for implementation.

NEW JERSEY SCHOOLS TO HAVE DEFIBRILLATORS ON SITE AND ACCESSIBLE — A new law requires all public and private New Jersey schools to keep automatic external defibrillators (AEDs) on site in an unlocked location starting Sept. 1, 2014. The AEDs must be kept near athletic fields and gymnasiums, and schools must develop emergency action plans that detail how they will respond to sudden cardiac events. At least five employees, including coaches and athletic trainers, must be trained to properly use the equipment and identified in the emergency action plan. The plan must also clearly indicate which staff member will be responsible for which type of task if response is needed.

The law comes coincidentally on the heels of a study in the journal Resuscitation that indicates adults on school property after 5 p.m. are more likely to need AEDs than students during the school day. Researchers surveyed 47 schools about such incidents, and found that when an AED was not used at the school, four out of 11 victims survived, while that rate decreased to two of eight when AEDs were not available. Sources: EdWeek.org (10/1/2012), Reuters (9/28/12), Resuscitation (9/20/12)

NEW STUDY FINDS HPV VACCINATION NOT ASSOCIATED WITH INCREASED SEXUAL ACTIVITY AMONG ADOLESCENT GIRLS — A new study in the journal Pediatrics concluded there is no link between the vaccine against the human papillomavirus (HPV) to protect against cervical cancer and sexual promiscuity among girls who receive the injection. Researchers in Georgia looked at medical records of 1,398 vaccinated and unvaccinated girls for three years, looking for evidence of sexual activity after receiving the HPV vaccine. Results revealed few of the girls vaccinated at age 11 or 12 sought birth control advice, tests for sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy, or became pregnant by the time they were 14 or 15. Findings of the study also showed no difference in sexual activity-related outcome rates compared with unvaccinated girls. Source: Pediatrics (10/15/12)

NEW REPORT ADVISES ON BEST WAYS TO ASSESS STUDENT FITNESS — Shuttle run tests, Body Mass Index (BMI) measurement, skinfold and waist circumference measurements, handgrip strength tests, and the standing long jump are the most accurate ways to assess student fitness, according to a new report from the Institutes of Medicine (IOM). The authors of Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth determined those assessments are the best indicators of cardiorespiratory endurance (associated with risk factors that can lead to the development of heart disease later in life), obesity (linked to the development of diabetes and other chronic diseases), and musculoskeletal fitness (related tone health and body composition). With funding from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the IOM convened a committee of leading national experts who reviewed CDC literature concerning the fitness of children ages 5-18 from 2000-10 to create the recommendations outlined in the report. The report also provides guidance for interpreting fitness scores and recommendations for future research. Source: Fitness Measures and Health Outcomes in Youth (9/27/12)

FEDERAL SEQUESTRATION LIKELY TO NEGATIVELY IMPACT PUBLIC HEALTH PROGRAMS AT ALL LEVELS — The Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO) reports the looming federal sequester would cut public health programs for all major federal public agencies a combined $2.4 billion. The analysis determined that in addition to subsequent state and local spending cuts, approximately 659,000 fewer individuals would be tested for HIV, and more than 750,000 mothers and infants would be cut from the WIC program. Budget sequestration is slated to go into effect Jan. 2. Source: ASTHO press release (9/24/12)

STUDY: CHILDREN WHO COOK HAVE HEALTHIER EATING HABITS — The best way to get children to eat healthier is to allow them to help prepare their own meals, according to researchers at the University of Alberta. Researchers from the university’s School of Public Health surveyed 5th graders in 151 Alberta schools about the students’ eating habits and food preferences. One-third of children reportedly helped with meal preparation at least once a day; one-third said they helped one to three times per week; one-fourth helped once a month; and just over 12 percent had no cooking experience. Surveyors found children who prepared meals at home frequently were more knowledgeable about the importance of making healthy food choices. In addition, they reported that most of the children liked fruits more than vegetables, but those who helped cook showed a greater preference for vegetables than children who did not. Source: ScienceDaily (6/26/12), Public Health Nutrition (5/11/12)

PRESCRIPTION DRUG ABUSE UP 40 PERCENT AMONG ADOLESCENTS — Today’s adolescents abuse prescription drugs at a 40 percent higher rate than previous generations, according to a new study published in the Journal of Adolescent Health. Researchers at the University of Colorado–Denver reached this conclusion after studying data from the National Survey on Drug Use and Health from 1985-2009, which provided several explanations for the trend. Since 1991, the number of prescribed narcotics has increased exponentially, thus putting more drugs in homes where they are easily accessible to youth. Researchers believe youth who observe parents using prescribed analgesics are likely to get the impression that they are safe under any circumstances. This is correlated to a review of data from emergency room visits for non-medical analgesic use from 2004-2009, which increased 129 percent. Further, there were more deaths due to accidental overdoses of prescribed medication than deaths caused by overdoses of cocaine and heroin combined. Source: ScienceDaily (10/15/2012), Journal of Adolescent Health

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 TEACHER SURVEY ON STUDENT BREAKFAST REVEALS SOLUTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION BARRIERS — Teachers surveyed about student breakfast participation cite a number of reasons that only 9.7 million students are eating breakfast at school, while 20 million eat free or reduced price lunches. Increasing awareness of breakfast programs, reducing paperwork, and offering universal free breakfast were cited as possible solutions in the Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers Report, produced by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. The report is also summarized in the infographic that can be viewed here.

FEDS AWARD SEX-ED, SCHOOL MEAL GRANTS — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services awarded the Guam Department of Education more than $400,000  to help support  sex education on the island to prevent teen pregnancy and the spread of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases.

Guam was also joined by 18 states as awardees of a combined $5.2 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The states — Alaska, Arizona, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Utah, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin —  will use the funds to help  meet the new school meal requirements in the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act, among other needs.

NEW REPORT PROJECTS OBESITY-RELATED STATE HEALTH CARE COSTS — The Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation partnered to produce F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens the Future 2012, which provides state-specific statistics on obesity rates, as well as data on related diseases and health care costs. It also contains analysis that predicts future trends and the associated costs to 2030.

CREATIVE COLLABORATIONS BETWEEN HEALTH AND EDUCATION DEPARTMENTS DETAILED IN NEW RESOURCE — Thinking Outside the Box: Building and Sustaining School Health Programs in State Health Agencies without Dedicated Funding is a new resource from the National Association of Chronic Disease Directors that provides case studies of how state health agencies created school health programs without dedicated funding. It includes lessons about creative use of funding streams and collaborations between state health and education agencies for the creation of school health programs.

JUNK FOOD SOLD AT SCHOOL LEADS TO INELIGIBLE MILITARY RECRUITS — If the nearly 400 billion calories from junk food sold at schools and consumed by students each year were converted to candy bars, it would equal nearly two billion bars and be heavier than the aircraft carrier Midway. This is one of the key points made in Still Too Fat to Fight, released by Mission Readiness, an organization of retired military leaders who advocate for investing in the health of children. The report also discusses the fact that 25 percent of today’s potential military recruits are not healthy enough to be eligible for military service, and how current school nutrition environments may contribute to the problem.

STUDY FINDS THAT TEENS WHO STAY UP LATE MAY HAVE MORE ACADEMIC PROBLEMS — Teens who stay up late to study rather than getting sleep may experience academic problems in those same subjects, according to a recent study published in Child Development. Researchers at UCLA surveyed 535 high school students for two weeks and found students who gave up sleep in favor of study reported difficulty mastering concepts and performing well on tests, quizzes, and homework assignments. Cumulative sleep loss over time may produce long-term academic problems for students, the study reported. The findings suggest that students’ academic success may depend in part on maintaining a consistent schedule, maximizing school hours, and spending less time on peripheral activities. Sources: ScienceDaily (8/21/2012), Child Development (8/12/12)

HEALTHIER SCHOOL MEALS PROGRAMS DO NOT NEGATIVELY IMPACT CAFETERIA FINANCES — Implementation of nutrition programs featuring healthier food choices does not lead to changes in revenues and expenses according to a study of 42 Texas middle schools where at least 50 percent of students qualify for free or reduced-price meals. Researchers studied data from the schools that participated in a study of the HEALTHY program, which, in part, asked schools to meet five specific nutrition goals. Schools that implemented the program were more likely to reach nutritional goals than the control schools, but there were no significant changes in expenses and revenue between the two groups. However, while it was not determined to be significant, schools that offered healthier meals reported an average profit of $3.5 million, while those that did not reported an average profit of $2.4 million. Source: Journal of School Health (September 2012), MySanAntonio.com (7/23/12)

SUBSTANCE ABUSE IN SCHOOL INCREASES AMONG TEENS — An annual study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University reported high school students have greater access to drugs, alcohol, and cigarettes while at school than ever before. The national survey asked 1,003 students questions about their schools, families, social networking practices, drug and alcohol use, and access to tobacco. More than 85 percent of teenagers surveyed said they know classmates who drink alcohol, smoke cigarettes, or use drugs during the school day. Slightly more than 50 percent know a place on school property or nearby where students engage in these activities, and approximately 45 percent of teenagers said they know someone at school who sells drugs. Sources: National Survey of American Attitude on Substance Abuse XVII: Teens, Education Week (8/27/2012)

In a similar study, researchers at the University of Southern California’s Keck School of Medicine surveyed 1,950 students in the 9th and 10th grades in high schools with predominately Latino students. Investigators found that gaining acceptance from peers was an important risk factor that led to students taking up smoking. Sources: National Institutes of Health Medline Plus (9/6/12), Journal of Adolescent Health (9/6/12)

STRONGER SCHOOL FOOD LAWS LEAD TO LOWER CHANCE OF WEIGHT GAIN OVER TIME — A study in Pediatrics reports students are less likely to gain weight over time in states with strong laws governing what is sold on school campuses outside of the school breakfast and lunch programs. By studying weight changes of 6,300 students across 40 states from 2004-2007, researchers found that students in the states with stronger competitive food laws gained an average of .25 fewer BMI units than peers in states with weak or no such laws in place. Source: Pediatrics (September 2012), New York Times (8/13/12)

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 STATE RANKINGS OF CHILD WELL-BEING RELEASED — The Annie E. Casey Foundation released the 2012 Kids Count Data Book, which provides detailed data and statistics on child well-being throughout the country. States are ranked by overall child well-being as well as in four categories: Economic Well-Being, Education, Health, and Family and Community.

US DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AWARDS NEW ROUND OF PEP GRANTS — The U.S. Department of Education awarded 56 grants worth a total of $27 million to school districts in 26 states through the Carol M. White Physical Education Program (PEP). The PEP program, started in 2001, is focused on expansion and improvement of physical and nutrition education programs in K-12 schools, including helping schools meet state physical education standards. It is managed by the Office of Safe and Healthy Students, which also recently released an Evaluation Brief that highlights the past successes of the program.

USDA EXAMINES SCHOOL FOOD SERVICE PROCUREMENT PRACTICES — USDA’s Food and Nutrition Service recently released the 2009-2010 School Food Purchase Study, which provides estimates of the quantity, value, and unit price of food acquisitions by school district among those that participate in the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs. For the first time, the survey asked about local food purchases and found that 20 percent of school districts surveyed purchased local products, though definitions of what is considered local varied widely.

TEACHER SURVEY ON STUDENT BREAKFAST REVEALS SOLUTIONS FOR PARTICIPATION BARRIERS — Teachers surveyed about student breakfast participation cite a number of reasons that only 9.7 million students are eating breakfast at school, while 20 million eat free or reduced price lunches. Increasing awareness of breakfast programs, reducing paperwork, and offering universal free breakfast were cited as possible solutions in the Hunger in Our Schools: Share Our Strength’s Teachers Report, produced by Share Our Strength’s No Kid Hungry Campaign. The report is also summarized in the infographic that can be viewed here.

NORTH CAROLINA MAKES CPR TRAINING A GRADUATION REQUIREMENT — A new law in North Carolina makes passing a CPR training course a graduation requirement for high school students, starting with the graduating class of 2015 (this year’s sophomores). CPR training has been required for high school graduation in North Carolina since 1997, but it has never been enforced. North Carolina is one of five states with such a requirement. Source: Associated Press (7/26/12) 

MARYLAND STATE BOARD OVERHAULS ZERO-TOLERANCE POLICIES — The Maryland State Board of Education gave preliminary approval to regulations that eliminate zero-tolerance policies and all other automatic consequences for student misconduct, especially for non-violent offenses. The board created new guidelines to ensure districts take a more evenhanded approach when making disciplinary decisions and provide more support for students when they are removed from school. Maryland’s policy also addresses racial disparities in school discipline, an action that goes further than most state initiatives. Under the new regulations, districts would have to track discipline data to ensure that minority and special education students are not unduly burdened with suspensions, expulsions, and other disciplinary sanctions. Districts will be given one year to reduce the number of disparities and three years to eliminate them altogether. The board will vote for final adoption of the regulations after the 30-day review period for public comment. Source: Washington Post (7/24/12)

In another effort to promote student health and safety, the state board adopted emergency regulations that require athletic coaches to receive training in identifying head injuries, including concussions. The new policy also requires an athlete who shows signs or symptoms of concussion to be removed from play. Source: Baltimore Sun (7/24/12) 

ARE TEAM SPORTS THE CURE FOR CHILDHOOD OBESITY? — Team sports are the most effective way to prevent childhood obesity, according to a study in the journal Pediatrics. Researchers found that students who played on at least three different sports teams in the past 12 months were 27 percent less likely to be overweight and 39 percent less likely to be obese compared to students who did not participate in team activities. The study was based on interviews with 1,718 high school students from New Hampshire and Vermont about the number of sport teams they participated on, their involvement in extracurricular physical activities and physical education classes, and the number of days they walked or biked to school. The results were that playing team sports was the only form of physical activity that had an inverse relationship to weight and obesity. As such, the report urges schools to prioritize sports teams for obesity prevention and increase opportunities for all adolescents to participate regardless of their ability. They estimate that playing two or more team sports per year would decrease the prevalence of childhood obesity by 26.1 percent. No relationship was found between weight and participation in high school physical education, which supports previous research. Sources: Education Week (7/17/12), Pediatrics (7/16/12)

SCHOOL COUNSELORS REPORT LITTLE TRAINING AND FEW PROCEDURES ON DATING ABUSE — A study published in the journal Pediatrics revealed that more than 80 percent of school counselors report not having procedures in their schools to deal with dating violence. The random survey of 550 counselors nationwide also determined that 90 percent of them had no staff training in the last two years on how to help victims of such abuses even though more than 60 percent of the counselors reported they have dealt with teen dating violence issues in that time. Further, about 75 percent of respondents said their schools did not have a staff committee to address student health and safety issues. Source: Pediatrics (August 2012) 

NEW DATA HIGHLIGHTS TRENDS IN SEXUAL RISK BEHAVIORS AMONG U.S. ADOLESCENTS — Data released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows fewer U.S. high school students are engaging in sexual behaviors that put them at risk for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases. This data comes from a review of CDC’s National Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) from 1991-2011. The 20-year trend analysis showed that while African-American youth had the greatest decline in sexual risk behavior, they are still reporting higher levels of such behavior than their peers in other demographic groups. Source: Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (7/27/12) 

URBAN CHILDREN MORE LIKELY TO SUFFER FROM FOOD ALLERGIES — A study in the journal Clinical Pediatrics reports that children who live in urban areas are much more likely to have food allergies than peers in rural areas. Researchers used surveys of more than 38,000 children aged 18 years and younger to map food allergies by ZIP code and determined that almost 10 percent of urban children have some kind of food allergy, while about 6 percent of rural-dwelling children have such conditions. Urban children are more than twice as likely to have peanut or shellfish allergies than rural children. Overall, nearly 40 percent of those surveyed nationwide have had some severe or life-threatening allergic reaction to a food. Georgia, Florida, New Jersey, Alaska, Delaware, Maryland, and the District of Columbia have the greatest percentages of children with food allergies. Sources: Science Daily (6/7/12), Clinical Pediatrics (5/17/12) 

FEWER LOW-INCOME STUDENTS RECEIVE SUMMER MEALS — The Food Research and Action Center’s (FRAC) annual summer nutrition report finds only one in seven students who receive free or reduced-price meals as part of the National School Lunch Program may participate in the similar national Summer Nutrition Program.  Hunger Doesn’t Take a Vacation, compiled using July 2011 data about summer program participation, indicates a declining trend from past years. FRAC indicates that the recession and poor economic conditions led to more students depending on school meals, as well as a decrease in the availability of summer schools and youth programs that typically provide meals during the summer. The report also notes that performance varied widely across states, with a handful actually reporting an increase in participation rates. Source: FRAC press release (6/8/12) 

FRIEND GROUPS DETERMINE STUDENT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS — A recent study in Pediatrics by researchers at Vanderbilt University found a large link between activity levels and elementary school friend groups. Accelerometers were used to measure the physical activity levels of 81 racially diverse 5- to 12-year-old students on the playground during afterschool programs over three weeks in the spring of 2010. Students were also asked with whom in the program they were friends. Though it was discovered friendships were not made or broken based on the activity levels of other students, researchers did find that when children made new friends, students would either increase or decrease their own activity levels to match others in the group. This study points to the possible effectiveness of leveraging peer relationships to increase the physical activity levels of all students during free play times. Source: Reuters (5/28/12), Pediatrics (June 2012) 

U.S. HOUSE URGES SCHOOLS TO PROVIDE WATER SAFETY EDUCATION — A U.S. House resolution called on elementary and secondary schools across the country to provide students with water safety education. The non-binding measure recognizes International Water Safety Day (May 15). Unintentional drowning is the second leading cause of death for children 1-14 years of age in the United States, and America’s child injury death rate ranks among the worst of all high-income countries, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Resolution 658 creates an opportunity for schools to help protect children from this preventable injury. Research shows that raising awareness and promoting water safety education can reduce the risk of drowning and lower the child injury death rate. Sources: H.Res.658 (5/15/12), CDC Vital Signs report (4/1/12) 

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NEW FACT SHEETS CAN HELP CREATE POLICIES THAT INCREASE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OUTSIDE SCHOOL HOURS — Two new fact sheets from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Active Living Research provide policymakers with information and recommendations for increasing physical activity in out-of-school time and afterschool programs. The fact sheets discuss research-based strategies such as creating joint use agreements that allow for community use of school grounds, and ensuring that afterschool programs are designed to incorporate recommended amounts of physical activity. They also summarize current findings and talk about successful policies that have already being implemented.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO EDUCATE ABOUT THE SALE OF SNACK FOODS AT SCHOOL — As the Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act continues to be implemented, new resources have been created to help policymakers understand the next big element—the initial creation of standards that cover all foods sold on the campus outside of the reimbursable school meal. A brief from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Healthy Eating Research and Bridging the Gap, Influence of Competitive Food and Beverage Policies on Children’s Diets and Childhood Obesity, discusses the influence of these foods on students’ diets. Additionally, the Kids’ Safe and Healthful Schools Project, a collaboration of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released a health impact assessment that provides a detailed analysis of the potential impact of implementing competitive food standards on student health and school food program revenue.

Also created by Healthy Eating Research is Consumption of Sports Drinks by Children and Adolescents, a review of research about student consumption and the health implications of these items that now dominate many school vending machines.

HEALTH IMPACT ASSESSMENT RFP — The Health Impact Project, a collaboration of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and The Pew Charitable Trusts, announced a call for proposals for grants to conduct health impact assessments (HIAs). HIAs identify and address the health impacts of decisions in other sectors.

The call for proposals will support two kinds of awards: demonstration project grants of up to $75,000, which will each fund a single HIA to inform a specific upcoming decision on a proposed policy, program, plan, or project; and HIA program grants of up to $250,000, which will allow organizations with prior experience to conduct at least two new HIAs and to develop stable HIA programs that endure beyond the conclusion of the grant period.

More information, including frequently asked questions, details about eligibility, and other resources are available at http://www.healthimpactproject.org/project/opportunities.

SEX EDUCATION IN SCHOOLS DECLINING NATIONWIDE — A Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study found the teaching of sex education in middle and high schools has decreased nationwide. The study of 45 states compiled surveys of principals and health teachers about how often sex ed is taught in classrooms. In 2010, the percentage of middle schools teaching 11 topics pertaining to sex education decreased in 11 states and increased in none when compared with 2008 data. The sex education curricula used also exposed differences across the states as to what was allowed and what was not allowed to be taught in the classroom. Source:  Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (4/6/12)

TENNESSEE GOV. SIGNS “GATEWAY SEXUAL ACTIVITY” LAW — Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam signed a controversial sex-education law that bars teachers from encouraging so-called “gateway” activities that fall short of intercourse. The measure also allows parents to sue contracted groups or individuals who do not obey this law. School personnel, however, are exempt from such litigation. Critics contend the law is so vague in its definition of what “gateway sexual activity” is, it could be a prior restraint on teachers from holding open discussions in sex education or health classes. Supporters said the law helps clarify the definition of abstinence. Source: Tennesseean (5/12/12)

DECLINE IN FEMALES COMPLETING HPV VACCINATION — Even as recommendations released earlier this year call for boys to be vaccinated against human papilloma virus,  a study in the journal Cancer found fewer girls are completing the three-shot series of the HPV vaccine. A study of 272,000 privately insured females who began the series revealed the percentage of females who got all three shots decreased from 50 percent in 2006 to just over 20 percent in 2009. The study also found that girls 13 and older were less likely to complete the three-shot series than girls aged 9 to 12. Obstetricians/gynecologists were more likely to have administered the three-shot series than pediatricians. The HPV vaccine aids in lowering the risk of contracting cervical cancer and has been deemed only effective when the three-shot series is completed. Sources: Washington Post (5/3/12), Cancer (4/27/12)

ASTHMA MEDICATION TO BE AVAILABLE IN MISSOURI SCHOOLS — School nurses in Missouri would be able to keep asthma medication on hand under legislation awaiting Gov. Jay Nixon’s signature. School districts would be responsible for purchasing the medication and nurses responsible for its storage at schools. The bill passed the state’s House and Senate with only one opposing vote. Source: News Tribune (Jefferson City) (5/10/12)

STRUCTURED HEALTHY PLAY CAN REDUCE BULLYING, IMPROVE EDUCATION OUTCOMES — Structured healthy play at school can reduce bullying, improve behavior, and increase students’ learning time in the classroom, according to a joint study by Mathematica Policy Research and Stanford University. The study measured the effects of the Playworks recess program in several schools while comparing the results to schools that decided to defer participation for one year. The findings showed a decline in bullying, improvement in behavior during recess and in the classroom, and better school climates overall. Teachers reported that students felt safer and more a part of the school community. They also said Playworks helped students transition from recess to formal instruction more quickly and easily (an outcome that researchers noted as statistically significant). The study results coupled with existing data reaffirm the importance of physical activity on students’ mental and physical health. The Playworks model is being used in more than 300 schools in 23 cities. Source: Education Week (4/17/12), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (4/16/12)

MORE TEENS POSTPONING SEX THAN BEFORE — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that since 1995, more U.S. teens are postponing sex, and more teens who do have sex are using contraceptives. The study found that from 2006-10, 57 percent of girls aged 15-19 had never had sex compared to 49 percent in 1995.  In addition, the study found approximately 60 percent of girls aged 15-19 used a form of hormonal contraceptive. However, disparities still remain in safe sex practices, with 66 percent of white teens using contraception compared to 46 percent African-Americans and 54 percent Hispanics. Researchers made their determinations based on data collected from the National Survey of Family Growth in 1995, 2002, and 2006-2010. Sources: NY Daily News (5/4/12), CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (5/4/12)

VACCINATION RATES HIGHER WHEN REQUIRED BY STATES — A recent study in the journal Pediatrics indicates that vaccination rates among students are greater when states require inoculations as a condition of middle school enrollment than not. While that might seem obvious, the collective vaccination rate in states with immunization mandates for pertussis, meningitis, and tetanus/diphtheria/pertussis (TdaP) in 2008-09 were only 70-80 percent. The study also found no increase in vaccination rates in states that only required schools to send educational materials home to parents and caregivers. However, since the data was collected, 21 states have changed their TdaP vaccination laws, and another six have made meningitis inoculations mandatory. Source: Los Angeles Times (5/7/12) 

PUBLIC WANTS NATIONAL LIMITS ON CALORIES AND FAT IN SCHOOL FOOD — A poll by the Kids’ Safe & Healthful Foods Project shows most of American voters think there should be national standards limiting calories, fat, and sodium in the foods sold on school campuses. For now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) can only set standards for the reimbursable meals under the national school breakfast and lunch programs. The Healthy Hunger Free Kids Act, passed by Congress in December 2010, broadened this authority to all food sold on the school campus, including vending machines, school stores, and à la carte lines. USDA is expected to publish a set of standards for these competitive foods at the beginning of the summer. The Kids’ Safe & Healthful Foods Project is a joint initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

A related report in the Journal of Academy and Nutrition indicates less than 5 percent of U.S. school districts require competitive foods and drinks sold on campus to meet all of the recommendations of the 2010 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Researchers at Bridging the Gap, a project of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, report district policies most commonly address fat content but focus less on sugar. Additionally, many limit access to soda for all grade levels, but few address other sugary drinks or high-fat milks. Sources: Kids’ Safe and Healthful Foods Project press release (4/19/12), Robert Wood Johnson Foundation press release (4/20/12)

SCHOOLS VITAL TO NATIONAL OBESITY PREVENTION STRATEGIES — Making schools a national focal point for obesity prevention is one of just five goals outlined in a new Institute of Medicine report, Accelerating Progress in Obesity Prevention. The report outlines a plan to prevent obesity across all sectors of society over the next decade and builds on the recommendations made in the 2005 report, Preventing Childhood Obesity: Health in the Balance. The report was released May 8 at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Weight of the Nation conference, held in Washington, DC and the process of creating the report is highlighted in a recent HBO documentary series of the same name, which can be viewed free online.

SCHOOLS BUYING MORE FRESH  PRODUCE, LOWER-SUGAR DRINKS — The USDA reports schools are now devoting more of their budgets to the purchase of fresh produce and replacing fruit drinks and carbonated beverage purchases with fruit juice and water than in the past. The findings from 2009-10 school year data are part of the Department’s third School Food Purchase Study, which provides national estimates of the type and cost of foods purchased by public schools that participate in the National School Lunch and School Breakfast Program. The first two editions culled data during the 1984-85 and 1996-97 school years, respectively.

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NEW RESOURCE ADDRESSES LINKS BETWEEN OBESITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY — A new brief from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Leadership for Healthy Communities program – “Making the Connection: Linking Policies to Improve Public Safety with Preventing Childhood Obesity” – helps policymakers connect these seemingly disparate problems through the establishment of policies that can alleviate both public health concerns.

INCREASED USDA SCHOOL FOOD REIMBURSEMENT RULE OPEN FOR PUBLIC COMMENT — The USDA is accepting public comment on an interim rule on the process for state agencies to certify districts as compliant with the new federal school meal regulations in order to receive an additional six-cent reimbursement per meal. Comments on the rule will be accepted until June 26.

NEW RESOURCES TO HELP SCHOOLS AND COMMUNITIES SHARE RECREATIONAL SPACE — Two national public health law organizations and a leading research organization have separately created tools for education policymakers to use when creating joint use agreements.  The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Active Living Research’s “Promoting Physical Activity through the Shared Use of School and Community Recreational Resources” is a research brief that highlights these policies as a way to increase physical activity by providing access to safe recreational opportunities, particularly in communities with limited resources. The Public Health Law Center’s Finding Space to Play: Legal and Policy Issues Impacting Community Recreational Use of School Property provides an overview of key concepts and success stories from the state and local levels. The National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity also released “Playing Smart: A New Guide to Help Communities Open the Schoolyards,” a toolkit designed to help school staff and community leaders create and implement joint use agreements.

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION ANNOUNCES FIRST EVER GREEN RIBBON SCHOOLS — The U.S. Department of Education announced the list of schools that have received Green Ribbon School recognition. In the pilot year, schools applied first to state departments of education, who then nominated schools to the federal agency. Schools received the designation for exemplary achievement in environmental impact, health, and education.

REJECTION ON THE PLAYGROUND MAY CONTRIBUTE TO SEDENTARY LIFESTYLES — Ostracism by peers may be one reason overweight and obese children are less physically active than children who are relatively fit, according to a recent study published in Pediatrics. Researchers at Kent State University used a computer simulated ball-toss game to determine if peer influence has a direct impact on physical activity. The findings revealed that children who were ostracized by their peers during the ball-toss were more likely to avoid doing any type of exercise afterward and spent more time reading books, coloring, and engaging in other sedentary activities. Earlier studies also suggest a strong correlation between peer victimization and weight gain, revealing the impact negative social experiences can have on children’s emotions and physical activity behaviors. While researchers continue to collect more data in search of a clear cause and effect relationship, the study suggests policymakers may want to consider behavioral health strategies as part of their plan to stem the childhood obesity epidemic. Source: Seattle Times (2/23/12), Pediatrics (2/6/12)

MARYLAND STATE BOARD OFFERS SCHOOL DISCIPLINE PLAN — A plan to move away from the existing zero-tolerance school discipline standards was brought to the public by the Maryland State Board of Education. The board endorsed a 36-page proposal to reduce the number of out-of-school suspensions for nonviolent offenses and offered the draft, which required a year of study before it reached this point, for public comment until March 30. In the document, the board noted that almost 10,000 students were suspended at least three times each statewide during the last school year and linked missed school time to low academic performance and dropouts. The proposal calls for new suspension definitions, as well as new codes for nonviolent wrongdoings. “What we’re trying to do is to prompt people to think differently about discipline, with an eye toward achievement for all students,” said board President James DeGraffenreidt. The panel is expected to take final action on new discipline rules at its April meeting. Sources: Baltimore Sun (2/28/12), Washington Post (2/28/12)

CONCUSSION AWARENESS MOVES FROM PLAYING FIELD TO CLASSROOM — Schools need to adopt strong policies for monitoring and supporting student athletes suffering from concussions, according to a new study conducted at the University of Montreal. Because the adolescent brain is still developing, it is more vulnerable to injury than the adult brain and takes more time to recover. Further, students in this age group are more sensitive to consequences of concussions than children or adults, the study reported. However, researchers found that many student athletes return to the classroom too soon after sustaining a traumatic brain injury. Experts at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are raising awareness in the education community about the dangers of excessive cognitive exertion before the brain has fully recovered. Although a student’s symptoms may appear to be mild, a concussion can lead to long-term impairment affecting memory, emotions, concentration, and behavior if not treated properly. The Montreal researchers urged schools to introduce academic supports for student athletes while they recover from the side-effects of concussions, which can last from six months to a year. Sources: Canadian Press (3/2/12), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention press release (10/6/11), Brain Injury (3/1/12)

MINNESOTA SCHOOL DISTRICT APPROVES ‘UNPRECEDENTED’ SETTLEMENT IN BULLYING SUIT — The Anoka-Hennepin School District, Minnesota’s largest, settled a lawsuit brought by six current and former students who charged the district with inadequately responding to persistent physical and verbal harassment related to real or perceived sexual orientation. The consent decree creates a five-year partnership between the district and the federal departments of Justice and Education, which had been investigating the school system, to help develop and ensure implementation of policies, programs, and procedures designed to improve school climate and ensure student safety. The district had long had a health education policy stating that “homosexuality will not be discussed as a normal or valid lifestyle,” which in 2009 was changed to a policy requiring staff to “remain neutral on matters regarding sexual orientation.” But in late 2009-2010 a series of suicides by six students, some of whom were gay and/or bullied, according to family and friends, embroiled the district in an onslaught of charges and counter charges and eventually led to the lawsuit and the federal investigations. A Justice Department official called the scope of the new agreement unprecedented and “the most comprehensive and detailed school harassment agreement” in the agency’s history. The district never admitted wrong-doing, but was not prepared to continue the controversy or keep paying the legal expenses. “At the end of the day, the board would rather focus our limited resources on educating kids and keeping them safe,” the chairman of the school board said. This sentiment was echoed by the superintendent, who said that when the process is completed “we believe we will have developed a model that all school districts can follow.” Sources: Minneapolis Star-Tribune (3/6/12), Brainerd Dispatch (3/6/12)

DIETARY UPS AND DOWNS LINKED TO PLAYING ORGANIZED SPORTS — Children who play sports tend to eat more fruits and vegetables, and drink more milk than children who don’t play sports, but they are also more likely to eat fast food, drink soda, and consume more calories overall, according to a new study. The findings reported in Current Sports Medicine Reports are based on a comparison of 19 studies that examined weight status, physical activity, and diet among young people who participated and did not participate in sports. Though the causality is not clear, it is possible the culture of some youth sports programs is partially to blame, the report concluded. For example, many athletic events include concession stands that sell unhealthy food, many programs encourage parents to take turns providing snacks after practices and games, and many families with children who participate in sports find their schedules make it easier to stop at fast food restaurants rather than prepare food at home. Sources: Chicago Tribune (2/24/12), Current Sports Medicine Reports (November/December 2011)

BRIEF CONCLUDES PHYSICAL ACTIVITY VIA RECESS IMPROVES ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE — A research brief from Active Living Research concluded that even though recess can have significant positive health implications for children, most states and districts to not require free time to be built into a daily school schedule. The brief found that since the first such survey was completed in 2006, the percentage of districts that required recess declined from 57 percent to 20 percent only three years later, and the number of districts that just recommend recess declined from 33 percent to 18 percent. In addition, the researchers concluded that children at the greatest risk for obesity are the least likely to have recess. The brief also included suggestions for developing strategies and health policies that encourage the inclusion of recess in a school day. Source: Increasing Physical Activity Through Recess (January 2012)

NEW REPORT FINDS MOST ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS ADVANCE HEALTHY EATING, BUT NOT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY — A report from the Bridging the Gap initiative of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation found that even as most public and private elementary schools nationwide have made changes to support healthy eating, few have physical activity programs aligned with minimum national recommendations. The report, School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity: National Elementary School Survey Results, tracked data that provides updated results from Bridging the Gap’s surveys of health-related policies and practices in elementary schools that began in 2006. Topics covered in the report include school meals, competitive foods and beverages, physical education, and physical activity during and after school. Source: School Policies and Practices to Improve Health and Prevent Obesity: National Elementary School Survey Results (January 2012)

NEW RESEARCH FINDS OBESITY RATE INCREASE SLOWING IN CALIFORNIA  — Research from the University of California Davis suggests that the increasing rate of obesity among California students is slowing. The study examined results from the state-mandated physical fitness exam for 6.3 million 5th, 7th, and 9th grade students over six years. The findings revealed a 6 percent increase in students achieving healthy fitness in all categories from 2003 to 2008. However, of the three grades tested, children aged 10 and younger, or those who had not yet started 5th grade, were found to be of greatest concern, thus indicating the need for earlier implementation of obesity prevention interventions. Sources: California Watch (3/5/12), American Heart Journal (February 2012), UC Davis Health System website (3/21/12)

EPI-PEN BILLS CLEAR HOUSE AND SENATE IN VIRGINIA — The Virginia House and Senate passed two bills that will help support school officials in providing proper medical treatment to students suffering from allergic reactions. The “EpiPen bills” would require local school boards to create policies for schools to keep epinephrine pens on campus and accessible to school officials if a student suffers an anaphylaxis. The measures also seek to protect school officials by not holding them liable in civil suits over the use of an epinephrine pen as long as administering the medication were done in good faith. Source: Washington Post (2/13/12)

WISCONSIN LEGISLATURE SENDS NEW SEX ED BILL TO GOV. — Lawmakers in Wisconsin passed a sex education bill that largely overturns current law–passed in 2010–that specifies districts must teach comprehensive sex ed or nothing. The new measure would require schools with sex ed courses to teach abstinence is the only sure way to prevent pregnancy and avoid STDs. Sex education courses also would have to discuss parental responsibility and the socioeconomic benefits of marriage and explain pregnancy, prenatal development, and childbirth. The rest of the curriculum would be left to the discretion of local school districts. Source: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (3/14/12)

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NATIONAL DATA RELEASED ON STATUS OF STUDENT AND SCHOOL SAFETY — The latest Indicators of School Crime and Safety from the Institute for Education Sciences finds a greater percentage of secondary school teachers than elementary school teachers report being threatened by students, but a greater percentage of elementary school teachers report being actually attacked by students. The annual report presents data (but no conclusions) on the status of school crime and student safety drawn from a wide range of sources. Follow this link for more information.

PROPOSED RULE FOR FRESH FRUIT AND VEGETABLE PROGRAM OPEN FOR COMMENT — A proposed rule for the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program (FFVP) is open for public comment until April 24, 2012. The FFVP is operated by state agencies in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and Puerto Rico. It provides fresh fruit and vegetable snacks to all students in participating elementary schools that are eligible due to serving high numbers of students who qualify for free and reduced price lunch. The proposed rule was prompted by changes directed by the 2008 Farm Bill and will create requirements for administration of the program consistent with the section of the National School Lunch Act that directs its implementation. The proposed rule and directions for submitting comments can be found in the Feb. 24 issue of the Federal Register.

SPECIAL ISSUE OF CHILDHOOD OBESITY CELEBRATES LET’S MOVE! CAMPAIGN — In recognition of the 2nd anniversary of First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, Childhood Obesity published a fully accessible special issue of the journal to examine the different elements of the campaign. The First Lady wrote the forward and national leaders in health and child obesity prevention contributed articles.

THE 10TH ANNUAL HEALTHY SCHOOLS DAY, focused on the promotion of healthy and green indoor learning environments in schools, is coming up April 24. To find out more about the day or to plan and register an event as part of the occasion, go to http://www.nationalhealthyschoolsday.org/.

USDA FARM-TO-SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION RESOURCES AVAILABLE — USDA’s Farm-to-School website is a resource for state leaders trying to encourage the implementation of Farm to School programs in their states. It provides links to information about funding sources, state contacts, and guidance about procurement policies.

NEW CDC RESOURCE FOR ENGAGING PARENTS IN SCHOOL HEALTH — Parent Engagement: Strategies for Involving Parents in School Health is a new CDC resource that identifies strategies and actions schools can take to increase parent engagement in school health. The strategies are focused on connecting and engaging parents as well as sustaining their involvement.

STRATEGIES TO BATTLE CHILDHOOD OBESITY SOMETIMES LACK INJURY PREVENTION PLANS — According to a report from the Johns Hopkins Center for Injury Research and Policy and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials who institute plans to increase youths’ physical activity also need to develop and implement plans to prevent injuries. The report in the January issue of Health & Place notes injury is the leading cause of death among children, but that efforts aimed at increasing youth activity—including walking, cycling, swimming, etc.—often lack critical safety factors. The authors called for more research in how to prevent injuries and the implementation of these measures on a large scale. In addition, they recommend “A research agenda…that addresses relevant injury prevention issues related to increasing physical activity, changing the environment, modifications in city planning, changes in legislation, and the opinions and desires of community members.” Source: Science Daily (1/20/12), Health & Place (January 2012)

NFL, NCAA URGE STATES TO PASS STRINGENT CONCUSSION LAWS — The NFL and the NCAA sent letters to 19 governors urging the passage of youth concussion laws similar to that in Washington state. The sports associations want state laws to include at least the three main components of Washington’s Zackery Lystedt Law: 1) parents and guardians must receive concussion education before a student-athlete can play any school sport; 2) children or youth suspected of a concussion or head injury must be immediately removed from physical activities; and 3) a physician or authorized medical professional, depending on the state, must give a student written clearance before he or she can return to play. Approximately 35 states have enacted similar laws, and New Jersey is moving to include cheerleading coaches to the list of officials required to have concussion training. Source: EdWeek.org (1/18/12)

ARIZONA BILL WOULD GIVE DISTRICTS OPTION TO OPT-OUT OF NSLP — The Arizona Senate passed a bill that would give school districts the option of participating in the federally funded National School Lunch Program. The bill’s sponsor says the measure gives districts the option because new federal school lunch nutrition mandates are “too onerous.” The legislator also said that since standing state law only makes participation mandatory for K-8 schools, it is only fair to make participation optional for all schools. Last year, more than 661,000 Arizona students benefited from the program. The bill is now with the House Education Committee. Source: Arizona Republic (2/9/12), e-lobbyist.com, Phoenix-On News (1/19/12)

KENTUCKY PLAN FOR STUDENT HEALTH INCLUDES OPTIONAL BMI REPORTING — The Kentucky State Board of Education revised the state’s student health policy to include a place for body mass index (BMI) reporting on documents by personal physicians sent to schools. These forms become part of students’ cumulative health records and are not public documents. The data on BMI percentile will not be reported at the individual level, but instead will be reported in the aggregate at the request of public health officials to assist them in analyzing health data statewide. The regulation must proceed through the legislative committee review process before becoming final. Source: communication with Kentucky Department of Education (2/10/12)

FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS OFFICE REQUIRES DISTRICTS TO BROADEN DEFINITION OF SERVICES FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES — In an attempt to clarify school districts’ obligations under the revised Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) of 2009, the U.S. Education Department’s Office of Civil Rights sent a letter to districts advising them of the expanded definition of and services for students with disabilities. The new guidance requires students who traditionally may not have been identified under Section 504 of IDEA and Title II under ADA to be reevaluated and tested under a broadened definition. For example, a student would qualify for a disability if “a major life activity is substantially limited” by the impairment such as a lung condition, ulcerative colitis, diabetes, and physical disabilities. The letter also requires districts to revise their qualifications to receive special education and the procedures determining the services a student with a disability would receive upon identification to comply with the revised ADA law. Further guidance is located in the letter and in the Office of Civil Rights FAQs. In addition, NASBE published a recent Policy Update titled, “The 2009 Amendments to the Americans with Disabilities Act : What They Mean for States and Schools.”  Source: EdWeek.org (1/19/12)

SIMPLE INTERVENTION INCREASES STUDENT VEGETABLE CONSUMPTION — Placing pictures of vegetables on student lunch trays increased vegetable consumption by students, according to a study published in the January issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association. Researchers first observed a Minnesota elementary school of approximately 800 students in February 2011 to obtain baseline information about student consumption of carrots and green beans. Students helped themselves to pre-portioned servings and the kitchen staff served the rest of the meal. They tracked the number of students that took each type of vegetable, and after lunch staff collected and weighed all uneaten vegetables. Researchers returned in May 2011 when the same meal was being served in the cafeteria. This time staff placed pictures of carrots and green beans in the tray compartments, which increased the number of students serving themselves both types of vegetables.  There was an overall increase in consumption of both types of vegetables across all students, but only a significant increase in the amount of carrots eaten by the students who took them. Placing photos in the trays cost about $3, took 20 minutes to modify 100 trays, and required no specialized training.  Source: Journal of the American Medical Association (1/31/12), Huffington Post (2/1/12)

FRAC REPORTS IN-CLASS BREAKFAST AS MOST SUCCESSFUL STRATEGY — A new Food Research Action Center (FRAC) report on school breakfast programs finds that districts serving breakfast in the classroom have the highest participation rates. For example, the four top-performing districts serve breakfast in the classroom to all students at no charge and the top ten performers offer free breakfast to all students. The report, taken from surveys of school breakfast programs in 26 urban districts, also notes an increased momentum for implementing free school breakfast programs to all students in recent years, but the participation numbers still fall well behind those for school lunch. The report notes also highlights Detroit, Houston, and Newark as districts that serve breakfast to at least 70 percent of students who qualify for free- and reduced-price lunch. Source: FRAC press release (1/31/12)

MEDIA USE MAY NEGATIVELY IMPACT GIRLS — A sampling of preteen girls found extensive use of media can negatively impact their self-esteem and commitment to physical activity. A study in the December Journal of School Health examines the relationship between the psychological and physical assets among 1,027 3rd-5th grade girls and the use of media during after school hours. Researchers analyzed data from an evaluation of a positive youth development program. The study also showed that 27 percent of the girls surveyed were using media for four or more hours on school days. Researchers also reported that time spent using media was not linked to body size satisfaction in the surveyed age group. Source: Journal of School Health (December 2011)

USDA FARM-TO-SCHOOL IMPLEMENTATION RESOURCES AVAILABLE  — USDA’s Farm-to-School website is a resource for state leaders trying to encourage the implementation of Farm to School programs in their states. It provides links to information about funding sources, state contacts, and guidance about procurement policies.

NEW CDC RESOURCE FOR ENGAGING PARENTS IN SCHOOL HEALTH — Parent Engagement: Strategies for Involving Parents in School Health is a new CDC resource that identifies strategies and actions schools can take to increase parent engagement in school health. The strategies are focused on connecting and engaging parents as well as sustaining their involvement.

RESOURCES AVAILABLE TO SUPPORT SAFE ROUTES TO SCHOOL PROGRAMS — The archived recording of NASBE’s October 2011 webinar, “Safe Routes to School Programs: Legal Implications for Schools,” is now available online. The webinar was designed to help school attorneys and legal staff learn about best practices and potential concerns for active transportation to and from school; it included speakers from Leadership for Healthy Communities, the Georgia Department of Education, the Public Health Law Center, the National Policy and Legal Analysis Network to Prevent Childhood Obesity (NPLAN), and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, in partnership with the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, also created a fact sheet that outlines the benefits and financial savings to communities that implement Safe Routes to School programs. In addition to reductions in health care costs, the factsheet details how the programs impact traffic safety, reduce traffic congestion, help schools manage transportation costs, and create jobs and attract economic development.

NEW RESOURCES FOR SCHOOL LEADERS FROM NSBA — The National Schools Boards Association’s Family as Partners: Fostering Family Engagement for Healthy and Successful Students provides guidance, strategies, and resources for school leaders that want to engage families around school health issues. To supplement the publication, NSBA has created an online resource center that contains model policies and survey templates.

NSBA also released Safe at School and Ready to Learn: A Comprehensive Policy Guide for Protecting Students with Life-threatening Food Allergies, which helps school leaders develop policies and practices to protect students with life-threatening food allergies. The guide provides a checklist to assess current policies and their implementation, sample state and local policies and a glossary of terms related to food allergies.

IOWA TO PILOT NEW ANTI-BULLYING POLICY AT SCHOOLS THIS WINTER — A move to change Iowa’s anti-bullying policies begins with a pilot program in select schools statewide this winter. The Iowa Education Department is looking to expand the state’s anti-bullying policies after a Sioux City Journalreport found that districts have reported only 2 percent of bullying incidents to the state since 2007, while the national average is 30 percent. The pilot policy lists 17 categories of incidents, including verbal, physical, and electronic harassment, while existing policy lists only four categories – physical, racial or ethnic, real or perceived sexual orientation, and “other.” These categories came out a state law passed four years ago that requires schools and districts to report any bullying, but it also allows local officials to execute the policy as they see fit as long as incidents are reported to the state. The department will choose pilot sites from schools that qualify for federal Safe and Supportive School grants. Source: Sioux City Journal (8/21/11)

SCHOOLS START TO SEE IMPACT OF HEALTHY HUNGER FREE KIDS ACT — A U.S. Department of Agriculture pilot program is offering free and reduced-price breakfasts and lunches for every student in selected districts in Michigan, Illinois, and Kentucky. The Community Eligibility Option pilot–part of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Programs with reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act last December–is designed to try to reduce the stigma surrounding participation in the federal school breakfast and lunch programs. Under the Community Eligibility Option, school districts and charter schools where at least 40 percent of the student population are eligible for free or reduced-priced meals are allowed to use pre-existing data rather than annual forms to determine their reimbursement rates for student meals. In turn, they must provide free meals school-wide. The Option will be phased in during the next three years and will be open to all states for the 2014-15 school year.

Also as part of the Child Nutrition Act, now called the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act (HHFKA), the USDA has provided guidance and technical assistance to ensure children in the foster care system automatically receive free school meals, and to help schools promote school breakfast programs. Source: USDA press release (6/15, 8/15/11), Detroit Free Press (8/16/11)

CALIFORNIA TEENS SURROUNDED BY JUNK FOOD MERCHANTS — California teens are surrounded by junk food and eating more of it according to a study at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research. Researchers counted the number of restaurants and convenience stores near schools and homes and discovered junk food distributors outnumbered healthy food sellers 5 to 1 in areas where almost 75 percent of teens lived. In every county statewide, healthy food stores were outnumbered by fast food restaurants, convenience stores, pharmacies, and liquor stores. When the researchers compiled data about the eating habits of 3,600 teens from the California Health Interview Survey, they found soda and fast food consumption was significantly greater among teens who lived in junk food-friendly communities when compared to teens that did not have easy access. Source: California Watch.org (8/12/11),Food Environments Near Home and School Related to the Consumption of Soda and Fast Food (7/11)

ENVIRONMENT, OTHER FACTORS INFLUENCE PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN UNDERSERVED CHILDREN — A study in the June 2011 issue of Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport (abstract) found environmental and social factors including confidence, gender, and social support have a significant impact on the physical activity of children in low-income communities. Dr. Jeffrey Martin at Wayne State University’s College of Education conducted the research as a follow-up to his 2005 report that found children living in underserved areas less physically active than children in communities with higher income. The latest study examined data from minority students between 10 and 14 years of age showed the strongest predictors for physical activity were children’s confidence in their abilities to exercise and get support from their teachers. The findings also showed that among the children surveyed, boys were more fit and received more support from their peers than girls do. Source: Eureka Alert.org (7/14/11)

ILLINOIS PERMITS SCHOOLS TO GIVE EMERGENCY ALLERGY SHOTS — A new Illinois law allows schools to stock epinephrine injections and for school nurses to administer the drug during an emergency. The law’s creation and passage was spurred by the death of a 13-year-old student due to a food allergy in a Chicago school. Source: Chicago.cbslocal.com (8/16/11)

CDC RESOURCE HELPS SCHOOLS REDUCE SODIUM — Under Pressure: Strategies for Sodium Reduction in the School Environment is a new resource from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provides rationale and recommendations for reducing sodium in the school setting. The guide contains timely information because the proposed nutrition standards being drafted by the U.S. Agriculture Department will likely force school meal programs to reduce sodium levels to some degree, starting within the next few years.

NEW GUIDELINES TO PREVENT HEAT ILLNESSES AMONG STUDENT ATHLETES — The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) created a set of guidelines to ensure safety for student athletes when practicing in extremely hot weather. The 11 recommendations were created to help schools prevent heat-related illnesses and are based on recent research that shows that most incidents are preventable with proper hydration, recovery time and use of equipment and clothing. Follow this link for more information.

REPORT MAPS FAMILY HUNGER NATIONWIDE — A report from the Food Research and Action Center (FRAC), Food Hardship in America 2010: Households with and without Children, provides a map of the concentration of families with children that have gone through periods where they were not able to purchased adequate amounts of food. The report organizes the information by state, large cities and by congressional district. Among the findings discussed are that rates exceed 25 percent in 21 states and the District of Columbia, 40 of the nation’s largest cities, and 195 different congressional districts. Most of the states with high rates of food insecure families are in the southeast, southwest and western U.S. Leaders and members of key committees, including those that control the federal school food programs and other types of hunger assistance programs, represent many of the congressional districts with the highest rates of food insecurity. 

CDC FACT SHEET OUTLINES FINANCIAL IMPACT OF STRONGER NUTRITION STANDARDS — A fact sheet from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health compiles existing research to discuss the financial impact of improving school food environments. “Implementing Strong Nutritional Standards for Schools: Financial Implications” demonstrates that creating stronger nutrition standards does not usually lead to a decrease in revenue from competitive food sales.

NEW REPORT PRESENTS PICTURE OF WELL-BEING OF NATION’S CHILDREN — America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2011 from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics presents data in a format that makes it easy to use and to stimulate conversations among policymakers about children’s health issues. The primary mission of the Forum is to bring together 22 Federal government agencies and partners to provide the nation with a summary of national indicators of children’s well-being and to monitor changes in these indicators across seven domains.

GREEN SCHOOL MAKEOVER CONTEST — Global Green will award one K-12 school in the country a $65,000 “green” makeover and another $65,000 in technical assistance to make it happen. The contest’s goal is to get schools thinking about ways to improve their student environments while simultaneously providing new learning opportunities. Green, in this case, can mean anything from building a school garden to improving indoor air quality. Every school is eligible. Follow this link for more information.

DELAWARE EXPELS TRANS FATS FROM PUBLIC SCHOOLS — This winter, a new law in Delaware will prohibit public and charter schools across the state from making food and beverages with more than .5 grams of trans fat available to students during regular school hours. This includes food served in school cafeterias as well as snacks and beverages sold in vending machines. Although some food manufacturers no longer use trans fat because it raises bad cholesterol (LDL) and lowers good cholesterol (HDL), many commercial baked foods such as cookies and crackers, and fried foods such as doughnuts and french fries still contain this ingredient. Sources: Vending Times (7/5/11); Mayo Clinic, Trans fat is double trouble for your heart health

STATEWIDE JOB LOSS LEADS TO STATEWIDE STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT LOSS — A 2 percent statewide job loss is likely to cause a 16 percent increase in the number of schools in that state failing to meet federal achievement benchmarks, according to a new study. The report compares National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) scores from 1996-2009 with federal Mass Layoff Statistics. According to the research, few papers other than this one explore a broader perspective that draws statistical correlations, and it is one of the first to show that even those students with families not directly experiencing financial concerns are still impacted. Many previous studies compared individual students directly affected by unemployment with those who were not.  The study found that the effects were larger for 8th graders than 4th graders and greater for math than reading scores. Sources: National Bureau of Economic Research (June 2011), Freakonomics.com (7/8/11)

MASSACHUSETTS PANEL CUTS THE FAT FROM SCHOOL FOOD — A set of standards approved by the Massachusetts Public Health Council barred the sale of all fried foods in schools and restricted foods containing other undesirable ingredients. The new standards prevent schools from selling or serving foods with caffeine, trans fats, and artificial sweeteners anywhere in public schools, such as à la carte cafeteria lines, vending machines, school stores, or in fundraisers. The rules restrict the amount of fats, sugars, and sodium, and bar fried foods in school lunches. In addition, schools have to provide unsweetened fruits and vegetables in places food is sold, with the exception of vending machines. The rules also mandate breads to be made from whole grains, any juices sold to be 100 percent fruit juice, flavored milk to not have more sugar than plain low-fat milk, and requires schools to offer water for free at all times. While most rules take effect in time for the 2012-13 school year, the ban on sugary drinks and an additional directive that nutrition information be made available for all non-prepackaged foods starts before the 2013-14 school year. Source: Boston Herald (7/13/11)

NEW REPORT DETAILS OBESITY INCREASE IN 16 STATES — According to F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011, obesity rates increased in 16 states since last year. The report by the Trust for America’s Health and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation concludes that 38 states have obesity rates greater than 25 percent and only one state has an obesity rate of less than 20 percent. Since 1995, obesity rates in seven states doubled and 10 other states have seen an increase in their rates by 90 percent or more. The nine states with the highest obesity rates are in the south. Mississippi has the greatest obesity rate at 34.4 percent of its residents, while Colorado has the lowest rate at 19.8 percent. This is a steep increase from 20 years ago, when no state had an obesity rate greater than 15 percent, which means that even the least obese state today is heavier than the heaviest state a generation ago. The report cites racial and ethnic minority adults and individuals with a lower socioeconomic status as continuing to have the highest obesity rates overall. F as in Fat also includes recommendations for policymakers and the food and beverage industry to help reverse the epidemic. Sources: Trust for America’s Health and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation press release (7/7/11), F as in Fat: How Obesity Threatens America’s Future 2011 

OHIO BOARD OF EDUCATION RECOMMENDS DISTRICTS BAN TOBACCO ON CAMPUS — The State Board of Education of Ohio unanimously recommended that school districts ban the use of all tobacco products anywhere on school property. State law bars the use of tobacco products inside school buildings, but the board vote allows school districts to expand the anti-tobacco policy to school grounds and campuses. School districts may reject the recommendation because Ohio law prohibits the state board from “unilaterally” banning smoking on school grounds. Source: Columbus Dispatch (7/25/11)

STUDY DECLARES TEEN SUBSTANCE USE AN EPIDEMIC — A new study by the National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse suggests adolescent substance abuse is America’s leading public health problem. Researchers examined how American culture influences teens use of addictive substances and how messages from adults, the tobacco and alcohol industries, and media normalized substance use. According to this new report, 75 percent of all high school students used an addictive substance at some time, and one in five high school students meet the medical criteria for being classified as having an addiction. The report also reveals that 25 percent of people who used an addictive substance before age 18 became addicts compared to one in 25 individuals who engaged in substance use at age 21 or older. Source: Los Angeles Times (6/29/11), National Center on Addiction and Substance Abuse at Columbia University

EXCESSIVE SCHOOL DISCIPLINE POLICIES LINKED TO LOWER GRADUATION RATES — A study of discipline meted out to Texas secondary school students from 2000 to 2002 found more than half of the state’s students were suspended or expelled at least once during that time. The report by the Council of State Governments determined that once a student is suspended or expelled, that child is more likely to repeat a grade, drop out of school, or get arrested. Data collected on students who were 7th graders during the study period showed almost one million of them received in-school suspension, off-campus suspension, or were expelled by the time they were scheduled to graduate from high school. But about 97 percent of these punishments were discretionary, which means according to Texas law, their behavior did not necessarily warrant the level of corrective action used. Further, researchers found that punishments were weighed differently among students of different races (note: two-thirds of Texas’ students are non-white), abilities, and among school districts. Researchers chose Texas for its total enrollment size, which ranks second nationally, and believe its policies resonate with other states. It is important to note that while there are correlative links between discipline and outcomes, the study showed no causal links.

In an unrelated move, the U.S. Justice and Education departments launched the Supportive School Discipline Initiative. The project will study disciplinary policies and practices that many believe push children out of school and into the justice system, commonly referred to as the “school-to-prison pipeline.”  Follow this link for more information about the Supportive School Discipline Initiative. Sources: New York Times (7/19/11), EdWeek.org (7/19/11), Council of State Governments Justice Center

LEADERSHIP FOR HEALTHY COMMUNITIES will host the 2011 Childhood Obesity Prevention Summit, September 8-9, in Washington, DC. The summit will focus on the significant social and economic benefits of preventing childhood obesity and the importance of making it a policy priority, particularly in challenging economic times. Workshops and plenary sessions will demonstrate how policymakers can champion “win-win” policies that support other policy areas, including economic development, job market expansion, and academic achievement while helping to improve children’s health. The summit will provide policymakers with tools and information, as well as opportunities to collaborate within and across sectors – public and private – to help reverse the childhood obesity epidemic by 2015. Go here for more information and to register.

NEW CDC FACT SHEET OUTLINES FINANCIAL IMPACT OF STRONGER NUTRITION STANDARDS — A new fact sheet from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s Division of Adolescent and School Health compiles existing research to discuss the financial impact of improving school food environments. “Implementing Strong Nutritional Standards for Schools: Financial Implications” demonstrates that creating stronger nutrition standards does not usually lead to a decrease in revenue from competitive food sales.

CDC REPORT PROVIDES SNAPSHOT OF STATE POLICIES RELATED TO HEALTHY EATING — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2011 Children’s Food Environment State Indicator Report provides a national and state-specific picture of behaviors, environments, and policies that impact childhood obesity through healthy eating. Data for behavioral indicators were compiled from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveys and the National Survey of Children’s Health. The Policy and Environmental Indicators also use data from national surveillance systems to look at the current food environment in three different settings: child care facilities, schools, and the community. The report provides a condensed table with state-specific information.

NATIONAL PREVENTION STRATEGY RELEASED — The National Prevention Council released the first National Prevention and Health Promotion Strategy, which it hopes will help direct attention toward promoting wellness and prevention rather than treatment of disease and illness.  The Strategy, which along with the Council is a product of the federal Affordable Care Act, encourages partnerships and engagement at all levels and defines priorities for health improvement.

NEW REPORT PRESENTS PICTURE OF WELL-BEING OF NATION’S CHILDREN — America’s Children: Key National Indicators of Well-Being, 2011 from the Federal Interagency Forum on Child and Family Statistics presents data in a format that makes it easy to use and to stimulate conversations among policymakers about children’s health issues. The primary mission of the Forum is to bring together 22 Federal government agencies and partners to provide the nation with a summary of national indicators of children’s well-being and to monitor changes in these indicators across seven domains.

GREEN SCHOOL MAKEOVER CONTEST — Global Green will award one K-12 school in the country a $65,000 “green” makeover and another $65,000 in technical assistance to make it happen. The contest’s goal is to get schools thinking about ways to improve their student environments while simultaneously providing new learning opportunities. Green, in this case, can mean anything from building a school garden to improving indoor air quality. Every school is eligible. Follow this link for more information.