Why a Wellness Policy?
Wellness Policy
- There is an alarming rise in childhood obesity.
- One-third of today's children will develop diabetes (Hispanic girls is one-half)
- Texas is the sixth most obese state: the obesity rate greater than 25%.
- In 2001, almost 40% of fourth grade boys in Texas were over weight or at risk of being overweight. Fourth grade girls had only a slightly lower percentage.
- In 2003, the American Diabetes Association calculated that one out of every five dollars spent on health care in the US was for a person with diabetes.
- Texas comptroller reported that in the late 1990's expenditures for health and human services exceeded spending for education for the first time in history.
- Overweight children are four times more likely to miss school.
- The average school district loses an estimated $95,000 in state aid each year due to obesity-related absenteeism.
- More than 200 national studies show that fit children learn better and that obese children have a greater number of emotional and social problems.
- The US surgeon general has speculated that without intervention, the current generation of school age students will be the first to have a shorter life expectancy than their parents, health experts are calling the trend an epidemic.
What can we do?
- School districts have the opportunity to improve the food available to children, increase physical activity, and provide education on wellness.
- National experts agree that schools cannot effect the change alone, but can be an important part of a coalition of individuals and organizations working together for a healthier community.