NH Schools Find Ways to Boost Healthy Habits (NH)
January 11, 2011
Several schools throughout New Hampshire are making New Year’s resolutions to combat childhood obesity and encourage healthy lifestyles for their students.
"Some kids don’t even know the names of basic fruits and vegetables. While there are efforts being made to help educate children about making the right food choices, it will take a lot of time to correct this weight crisis," said Robin Abodeely, school nurse at Dr. Norman Crisp Elementary School in Nashua.
Two years ago, a National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey revealed that an e stimated 17 percent of New Hampshire children between 2 and 19 were obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In 2007, the National Survey of Children’s Health found that 29 percent of children in the state between 10 and 17 were overweight or obese. In 2006, the Foundation for Healthy Communities conducted a statewide study and estimated that nearly 33 percent of children between 6 and 12 were overweight or obese.
Healthy choices
"The first step is making good choices. If the kids learn that they feel better when they eat better, it will help them make better choices about food and exercise," said Abodeely, who with the district’s food services director has made changes throughout
The school district now offers wheat bread instead of white bread, whole grain pasta instead of regular pasta, and has removed caffeinated beverages from vending machines.
Rather than chips and chocolate bars, the machines are now packed with granola bars, baked snacks and food with less calories, according to Abodeely.
In addition, Nashua schools now participate in the Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Program, a federal assistance program that provides schools with grant money to purchase fresh food for classroom snacks.
BMI screenings
Other schools are taking a different approach by performing annual body mass index screenings, which measure a person’s weight in relation to height. Pine Tree Elementary School in Center Conway has been calculating BMI percentages for students for several years, recording the data and marking trends. For example, school nurse Cheryl Clapp has noticed that weight issues sometimes begin aroun d the third grade.
"The BMI screenings can be beneficial, especially since we are trying to promote good eating, health and exercise," Clapp said.
Previously, the results were mailed home to parents, but in recent years the records have been stored on the school’s computer. Parents may obtain the results on request, but Clapp said she rarely receives requests for the information.
Alerting parents
Trying to prevent New Hampshire’s youth from becoming another statistic in the obesity epidemic has been a goal of state Rep. Nancy F. Stiles of Hampton. Stiles is a former nutritional director for the Hampton school district and vice-chairman of the state’s Commission on Prevention of Childhood Obesity.
Last year, Stiles drafted legislation that would have required school districts to perform annual BMI screenings; however, legislators did not support her initiative. Stiles said she may make another attempt this year.
"It is critically important," Stiles said, noting BMI screenings could alert parents to potential problems.
Terry Johnson, director of the New Hampshire Healthy Eating Active Living initiative, is in favor of BMI screenings.
"Other states, including Massachusetts, are doing it and it has been successful, he said. "There is evidence that it helps to identify children at risk and gives parents an opportunity to address it."
The Commission on Prevention of Childhood Obesity released a report in November 2009 that said obesity is "robbing children o f a healthy future," and placing them at risk for heart disease, high blood pressure and diabetes.
The report recommended an annual comprehensive fitness assessment for schoolchildren, updating school policies on daily physical activity and mandating BMI screenings annually at school and physician offices.
Remove temptations
The Mascoma Valley Regional School District in Enfield has adopted new nutritional standards for a-la-carte menu items and school celebrations.
"We have really cut back on the calories offered at our schools," said Patrick Andrew, assistant superintendent.
Previously, a large cookie was offered as an a-la-carte snack; the item was incredibly popular among students, according to Andrew. He said the size of the cookie has now been cut in half.
"It is a cultural change, and kids are starting to think about it more," he said, adding soda and energy drinks with high sugar content have been eliminated from the schools. The district is now focusing on improving food options at concession stands for school events. Andrew expects some criticism, as it may cut into profits for various club fundraisers.
Andrew said school groups are being encouraged to organize fundraisers that do not sell food items, and monthly fliers are being sent home in student backpacks encouraging healthy meals and activities.
"This is something we are trying to take seriously, and I think kids are getting the message," he said.

 ;Keeping active
State Rep. Sean C. Cox of Andover is the prime sponsor of a bill that — if adopted — would require 45 minutes of daily recess or physical education for children through the eighth grade.
"Sometimes your brain is just too full and you need to run around a little bit," said Cox.
He admits that some legislators may be opposed to his bill because it would interfere with classroom time, but he argues that students will focus better if they are able to exercise.
New this year in the Bedford School District is a Junior Jazzercise program being offered later this month to help get kids fit. Students at Peter Woodbury Elementary School can stay after school to participate in a class that incorporates pop music with exercise equipment. For a $60 fee, students will be taught by a trained instructor to combine aerobic activities with kickboxing, and also educate them about their bones, muscles and proper nutrition.
In the Mascoma Valley Regional School District, middle school students recently received new recreation equipment for outdoor recess. A grant was used to purchase balls, bats and other items for older students. A Frisbee golf course was also recently set up.