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Schools are where kids consume half of their daily calories.
But many kids are widely exposed to unhealthy foods at school, and are less likely to engage in physical activity in school, according to a new research review from Salud America!, a national network for childhood obesity prevention and communication funded by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
Salud America!’s Healthier Schools and Kids research review shows that Latino-majority schools tend to: have weaker policies on school snacks and drinks than other schools; may be less likely to implement nutritional guidelines; and offer few programs or access to facilities for physical activity.
Solutions are emerging to create healthier schools:
School policies that reduce access to unhealthy snacks and drinks are likely to reduce students’ consumption of these items at school and positively impact student weight.
Having no sugary drinks in schools was associated with significantly reduced odds of overweight/obesity among middle-school students.
Schools with structured physical activity programs in and after school can boost physical activity in kids. For instance, a study of fifth-graders (39% Latino) found a 115% increase in activity on days with a 30-minute P.E. class, 20-minute lunch recess, and extra 10-minute recess.
Safe Routes to School improvement projects resulted in students reporting significant increases in walking and biking to school.
“Healthy school environments are paramount for the proper development of kids, given the rising percentage of obesity,” said Dr. Amelie G. Ramirez, director of Salud America! and the Institute for Health Promotion Research at UT Health San Antonio.
Go here to see the full research package!
Salud America! is a Robert Wood Johnson Foundation-funded national childhood obesity prevention and communication network.
By The Numbers
142
Percent
Expected rise in Latino cancer cases in coming years
