Poor dietary habits and lack of physical activity in American youth have increased the risk for early onset of heart disease and type 2 diabetes, and is a growing concern among health care professionals. Recent reports estimate that 58% of American children have at least one risk factor for heart disease such as high levels of blood cholesterol or high blood pressure, only 2% of children meet the recommendations outlined in the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 84% exceed recommendations for saturated fat intake, one-third of children are overweight and one in seven is obese, and the incidence of type 2 diabetes among adolescents has increased 10-fold over the past 20 years.

·        Ongoing and severe budget cuts to education funding have greatly limited and in some cases completely eliminated health and physical education in the elementary schools of southern Oregon.

·        Many children do not participate in existing physical activity programs due to the emphasis on sports skills, lack of confidence, and lack of individualized attention and encouragement.

·        Nutrition education has not been included in school curriculum, candy, soda and chips are sold in vending machines, and the cafeteria food is limited in its offerings of heart-healthy foods.

Federal law now mandates that all school districts participating in the federally-funded National School Lunch Program develop and implement a Wellness Policy that addresses goals for nutrition education, physical activity, and healthful cafeteria offerings. 

Select here for the Local Wellness Policies from The National Alliance for Nutrition and Activity.

nana_wellness_policies.pdf (76.9KB)

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