Case report
Addressing Childhood Overweight through Schools
Claudia Probart
Elaine McDonnell
J. Elaine Weirich
Patricia Birkenshaw
Vonda Fekete
Abstract
Rates of childhood obesity in have reached alarming proportions in many countries. Sixteen percent of school-aged
children and adolescents in the US are overweight. Legislation implemented in 2004 in the US requires local education
agencies (LEAs) that sponsor school meal programs to establish local wellness policies to address childhood obesity. Project
PA, a collaboration between a state agency and a university providing school-based interventions focuses on the
school environment and policy changes. Interventions have targeted foodservice personnel, administrators, teachers,
parents and students. In two recent projects schools assessed their school nutrition environments, developed nutrition
policies, and implemented strategies to encourage healthier food selections. Schools identified weaknesses in the areas of
marketing and communication of policies. Media attention on the childhood obesity facilitated policy changes. Time and
cost were identified as barriers to policy development and there were concerns about weak enforcement of policies. These
themes are discussed.
Keywords
childhood obesity; school policies; wellness policies; school nutrition environment; school meals
Hrčak ID:
27319
URI
Publication date:
4.1.2007.
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