Overweight Students

[micahmitc]

I couldn't find anywhere in the forums where it gives information on helping obese children. Is this information anywhere? Is there maybe a PE section?

[micahmitc]

I have some information but was wondering if there is a formal program for health teachers to show kids how to lose weight safely? Does anyone have any information on this?

[javamomma]

I agree we have overweight students in schools, so much that our wonderful governor has taken the right to give candy as a treat at school away from teachers. BUt what makes me so mad is look at the families of these chilren... many times it is their lifestyle, not the school that is making them fat. In addition to all of my other responsibilities as a teacher I am now responsible for their weight.

Ok soap box rant over. :)

[Krafty]

I don't think the forums have a specific PE section.

President's Council on Fitness (http://www.fitness.gov/) is a good place to start. They have publications and resources. If you are serious about the topic, maybe you and the PE teacher (unless you are the PE teacher as well) could work together to develop a program for your students.

What grades do you teach? Our elementary school developed a "walk to Disney World" challenge for the whole school, with each homeroom class competing as a team. They determined the distance from the school to DW and then how many laps around the playground equaled a mile. The teachers tracked the laps walked and the progress was charted on a map in the main lobby. I don't remember the incentive prizes (no, not a trip to Disney, but not a pizza party either!) I think jump ropes and stuff. Prizes for first class to reach theh goal, top individual walker in each grade, etc.

I'm in NC and we have a big issue with weight and weight related diseases because of some of the poor diet habits of many regions. There are a lot of health initiatives in our state. Sodas are being removed from most schools, healthy snacks have to be in the vending machines and cafeterias (and even many restaurants) participate in the Winner's Circle (http://www.winnerscirclehealthydining.com/) program to identify healthy food choices on menus. You could work with your cafeteria to educate the kids in the lunch line.

While you can't control their family life, you can provide them with information and good examples. One of our elementary schools started their own Biggest Loser team challenge (http://www.rockymounttelegram.com/featr/content/features/stories/2006/12/03/community_front_bigge.html) among the teachers.

If you get your administration excited about fitness, there are a lot of things you can do throughout the year. Our open house for the start of school was also a health fair. Be creative :)

[micahmitc]

Those are pretty good ideas, my school has some variations of it but just don't think they are working. I probably agree with javamomma, it comes down to the parents in the end. Does your school make any efforts to educate them?

[javamomma]

Not really, we do a height/weight check and letters are sent home to children that are borderline overweight and overweight.

[Krafty]

To some extent they do try to educate the families, but nothing extensive. Sometimes we'll get informational sheets about nutrition and exercising (though I'm sure many parents don't bother to go over them). The published monthly cafeteria menu has tidbits on nutrition. I can tell on days when my daughter talks about things at school, she'll get on a kick about calories or fat or balanced meals.

Yes, you have to have the families on board as well. You can talk to the kids and feed them healthy lunches from the cafeteria, but if they go home and sit in front of the TV while eating a bag of chips and downing a full sugar soda, you lose what ground you might have gained.

As a teacher, you do your best to educate the kids and encourage them to make smart choices, and keep bringing them that lesson in as many ways possible. Perhaps you could develop some homework for the kids that would involve the family, like doing a food diary for a week then working in class with the diary to see if they met the food pyramid guidelines. You could challenge the students to have their families participate in the national TV Turnoff Week (http://www.tvturnoff.org/) (next one is April 23 - 27, 2007).

Developing habits in your youth is much easier than changing habits that have become a comfort in your adult years.

[sara52345]

Yes, it may be the family lifestyle that is making these kids fat, but schools have the power to change those lifestyles.. well at least help the students to make their own healthy choices. I say we're off to a nice start, but I would like to give my students a piece of candy every once in awhile as a reward!

[anyalee]

Don't you think the parents know their children are overweight without having to write a letter home? I don't think having a piece of candy as a reward every once and a while hurts ANYONE. They didn't get fat by eating a piece of candy. Sitting in a desk all day long and then being mentally exhausted when they get home probably doesn't help.

[mkreher]

A simple way to get the children going in the right track would be a few lessons spent on the food pyramid. It might seem like a small step, but everything starts small. Encourage the children to start a family pyramid to put on their refrigerators at home. The family fills in the pyramid throughout the day to make sure they eat the right things.
There is a food pyramid topic started on teh boards....go share some ideas!