SCHOOL-BASED POLICIES HELP STUDENTS MEET DAILY PHYSICAL ACTIVITY REQUIREMENTS — Mandatory daily physical education could help increase students’ daily amount of moderate to vigorous physical activity by 23 minutes, which is a third of the recommended amount. These are the findings of a new study from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Active Living Research, published in the American Journal of Preventative Medicine, in which researchers looked at 85 past studies of nine different types of policy change intended to increase physical activity. Researchers also determined that classroom physical activity breaks could add 19 minutes of activity, walking or biking to school could increase activity by 16 minutes and after-school physical activity programs could add 10 minutes of activity to a student’s day. Sources: Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (1/17/13), American Journal of Preventative Medicine (Feb. 2013)
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.