By Tracy Farnham | The News Herald
morganton.com
MORGANTON - Beginning in October, Mull Elementary School challenged not only staff but also students and parents to make the community healthier by eating smarter and moving more. They call the challenge "Mustangs in Motion."
As a pilot program, the goal is to reduce childhood obesity.
Initially, each student's body mass index was calculated.
Through this the school learned that 14 percent of students in kindergarten through second grade were overweight with 16 percent in the same age group were obese. Fifteen percent of third through fifth graders were overweight with 23 percent being obese.
Developed in conjunction with the Burke County School Health Advisory Council, this program was implemented to help meet the health challenges faced by Burke County residents.
The council believes a solid school health program will carry over into the general adult population and deliver a healthier Burke County.
Lisa Moore, health education supervisor and health promotion coordinator with the Burke County Health Department, provides information and resources and facilitates monthly family nights to encourage physical activity with the entire family.
Recently, parents, students and faculty gathered for family night, which included recognizing February as National Children's Health month and playing musical chairs along with other games to get everyone moving.
Tammy Collins has enjoyed the informative family nights. "I think it's a great idea and gives everyone something to look forward to." Collins said she learned healthier recipes, including an alternative healthier ranch dip.
This assessment will be conducted at the end of the school year to track changes.
Principal Jill King encouraged the staff to take advantage of fitness opportunities, including yoga and aerobics. They made a fitness room from used equipment, including a stair climber and treadmill donated by Blue Ridge HealthCare, Miller said.
"This gives the teachers an opportunity to do that on campus and not have to go elsewhere. They can use the room anytime it is available," she said.
"We are very pleased with what we're seeing school- wide, in the faculty and the community," King said.
"Our families have really bought into the nutrition and exercise and the snacks our students bring have really become more nutritious," King said.
Second-grade teacher Kim Eakin said, "During snack time at school I try to monitor the student's snacks, and I make a big deal out of a healthy snack. Apples are a healthy choice," Eakin said.
She doesn't belittle an unhealthy choice, but might say donuts are not the best choice for a school snack and ask the student if he or she could bring a healthier choice the next day.
"It is usually effective because students want to be recognized for making healthy choices," she said.
As a mom of three Mustangs (in first, third and fifth grades), Eakin said her family spends more time outside and chose not to have cable or satellite television.
"It was initially an economic necessity, however we have decided that the television is a huge time stealer," she said. The occasional movie is a planned family event.
"We read more frequently, and we play family games. We are able to talk and enjoy the conversation," she said.
In addition, Eakin said her family has made healthier eating choices eating more whole grains and almost no salt along with less sugar.
"I really try to moderate eating more vegetables and fruit. We ate a whole bag of apples in two days," she said.
In the classroom her students do energizers on days they don't have PE.
"We may jog in place while saying our spelling words three times each or do jumping jacks while making a sentence with one of the spelling or vocabulary words," Eakin said.
Mull health and PE teacher Kristie Stephens said she's in favor of the program.
"It has a great health aspect and more physical education and parent involvement."
Participants have filled out a survey asking for their thoughts on the program and what they would like to see. Also, they have been asked about any changes they have made.
Stephens said tutorials about healthy eating choices were handed out and they will soon log 60 minutes of daily activity that students will do at home with their families.
Log onto MyEatSmartMoveMore.com or sign up for a free newsletter with more ideas to help you eat smart and move more.
No comments:
Post a Comment