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Make a Difference: Key Strategies to Prevent Obesity
Why Schools?
The Impact of Overweight
Obesity is increasing rapidly in the United States, affecting adults and
children and people of all races, ethnicities, and income levels.
Since 1980, the percentage of overweight children ages 6 to 11 has
doubled, and the percentage of overweight adolescents ages 12 to 19 has
tripled. Childhood obesity has both immediate and long-term serious health
impacts.
- In some communities almost half of pediatric diabetes cases are type 2
diabetes, which was once believed to affect only adults.
- In one large study, 61% of overweight 5-to 10-year-olds already had
risk factors for heart disease, and 26% had two or more risk factors for
the disease.
- Overweight children have a greater risk of social and psychological
problems such as discrimination and poor self-esteem.
- Overweight children have a 70% chance of being overweight as adults –
facing higher risks for many diseases such as heart disease, diabetes,
stroke, and several types of cancers.
The costs of treating obesity-related diseases are staggering and rising
rapidly. Direct health costs rose from $52 billion in 1995 to $75 billion in
2003.
Good eating habits and regular physical activity are critical for
maintaining a healthy weight. Unfortunately, less than 25% of adolescents
eat enough fruits and vegetables each day. More than a third of students in
grades 9–12 do not regularly engage in vigorous physical activity.
Why Schools?
Reversing the obesity epidemic requires a long-term, well-coordinated
approach to reach young people where they live, learn, and play. Schools
have a big part to play. Working with other public, voluntary, and private
sector organizations, schools can play a critical role in reshaping social
and physical environments and providing information, tools, and practical
strategies to help students adopt healthy lifestyles.
- More than 95% of young people are enrolled in schools.
- Students have the opportunity to eat a large portion of their daily
food intake and to be physically active at school.
- Schools are an ideal setting for teaching young people how to adopt
and maintain a healthy, active lifestyle.
- Research has shown that well-designed, well-implemented school
programs can effectively promote physical activity and healthy eating.
- Emerging research documents the connections between physical activity,
good nutrition, physical education and nutrition programs, and academic
performance.
Ten Strategies for Schools to Promote Physical Activity and Healthy
Eating
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reviews scientific
evidence to determine which school-based policies and practices are most
likely to improve key health behaviors among young people, including
physical activity and healthy eating. Based on these reviews, CDC has
identified 10 strategies to help schools prevent obesity by promoting
physical activity and healthy eating. CDC and its partners have developed
user-friendly tools that help schools effectively implement each of the
strategies.
Related Resources
See Childhood Overweight for more facts,
resources, and links.
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