Mckinney Courier-gazette > News
Pounding away at childhood obesity
BY ANDREW MAY, McKinney Courier-Gazette
The prevalence of plump children has never been greater, and estimates by organizations such as The Obesity Society indicate that one in five children in the United States is overweight. Not only are more adolescents becoming overweight, but the ones currently in that category also are continuing to pack on pounds.
Initiatives are being taken at the state and district levels to ensure proper fitness and health in the face of mounting childhood obesity evidence. Beginning last school year, Senate Bill 530 requires that every student in grades three through 12 take a physical fitness assessment known as the FITNESSGRAM, a health-related test developed by The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research.
Frisco ISD believes the FITNESSGRAM is a great way for students to establish a baseline of a healthy fitness zone that ultimately allows for goal setting and lifelong physical activity planning.
It provides recommended activity program options and tests all students in a non-competitive, non-skill based manner. The assessment measures a student’s aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. FITNESSGRAM test items include body mass index, trunk lift, curl-ups, push-ups, shoulder stretch, and either the mile run or walk test.
To prepare for the annual physical fitness assessment students are encouraged to play or move at least 60 minutes per day five days a week. FITNESSGRAM is a means of supplying accurate and reliable information about a student’s physical condition and how it can be improved, and designed to analyze where there is a correlation between academic achievement, attendance, discipline, meal programs and student obesity.
According to Charlotte Mooneyham, district secondary physical education and health coordinator, FISD tested 18,700 students this past school year.
FISD students in elementary school must engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day or 135 minutes per week. At the high school level, students must meet the 1.5 credits of physical education requirements needed to graduate. One credit is equivalent to a year of instruction in a subject.
At Gunstream Elementary, the addition of two Dance, Dance Revolution commercial arcade dance pads has turned fitness into an enjoyable activity. The PTA purchased most of the necessary equipment for use by the physical education department, allowing students to move and groove while getting a cardiovascular workout.
Where nutrition is concerned, the district has a solid staff in place to make certain students adhere to healthy eating habits. In June, the Frisco Fury, the FISD nutrition department masterminds team, won a state contest at the annual Association of School Nutrition by tackling questions about federal and state program requirements, nutrition, diet and food. The team comprises Jason Meek, nutrition technology supervisor, Shannon Etienne, nutrition coordinator, Marcie Behler, training specialist, Nitra Crowder, caf/ manager at Fowler Middle School, and Lana Anderson, field supervisor.
Frisco ISD is one of the few districts in the Metroplex to hire a nutrition educator whose sole responsibility is teaching students about nutrition in a fun and interactive way.
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The Child Nutrition Program is an integral part of the Frisco ISD’s Wellness Policy adopted by the school board in 2007. Menu choices for students are low in fat and simple sugars and high in whole grain offerings, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The Virtual cafeteria is a fun way to see what menu items are available and how they meet nutritional requirements. FISD meals are analyzed for nutritional content and meet the RDA for each age/grade group.
Students in FISD are served by a nationally distinguished, “District of Excellence” Child Nutrition Program as designated by the School Nutrition Association. The district of excellence recognition ensures that nutrition education, administration, communication, operations, and marketing of FISD’s program meet goals to serve healthy, delicious foods. Healthy snack choices are provided and nutrition education classes are a part of the curriculum as the Child Nutrition Department works with educators to help students learn about nutrition and exercise as part of a lifelong lifestyle. An average of 16,000 meals and meal equivalents are served daily.
For information regarding the school district’s requirements, programs, and child nutrition, parents may contact the school principals or visit www.friscoisd.org.
Initiatives are being taken at the state and district levels to ensure proper fitness and health in the face of mounting childhood obesity evidence. Beginning last school year, Senate Bill 530 requires that every student in grades three through 12 take a physical fitness assessment known as the FITNESSGRAM, a health-related test developed by The Cooper Institute for Aerobic Research.
Frisco ISD believes the FITNESSGRAM is a great way for students to establish a baseline of a healthy fitness zone that ultimately allows for goal setting and lifelong physical activity planning.
It provides recommended activity program options and tests all students in a non-competitive, non-skill based manner. The assessment measures a student’s aerobic capacity, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition. FITNESSGRAM test items include body mass index, trunk lift, curl-ups, push-ups, shoulder stretch, and either the mile run or walk test.
To prepare for the annual physical fitness assessment students are encouraged to play or move at least 60 minutes per day five days a week. FITNESSGRAM is a means of supplying accurate and reliable information about a student’s physical condition and how it can be improved, and designed to analyze where there is a correlation between academic achievement, attendance, discipline, meal programs and student obesity.
According to Charlotte Mooneyham, district secondary physical education and health coordinator, FISD tested 18,700 students this past school year.
FISD students in elementary school must engage in at least 30 minutes of physical activity per day or 135 minutes per week. At the high school level, students must meet the 1.5 credits of physical education requirements needed to graduate. One credit is equivalent to a year of instruction in a subject.
At Gunstream Elementary, the addition of two Dance, Dance Revolution commercial arcade dance pads has turned fitness into an enjoyable activity. The PTA purchased most of the necessary equipment for use by the physical education department, allowing students to move and groove while getting a cardiovascular workout.
Where nutrition is concerned, the district has a solid staff in place to make certain students adhere to healthy eating habits. In June, the Frisco Fury, the FISD nutrition department masterminds team, won a state contest at the annual Association of School Nutrition by tackling questions about federal and state program requirements, nutrition, diet and food. The team comprises Jason Meek, nutrition technology supervisor, Shannon Etienne, nutrition coordinator, Marcie Behler, training specialist, Nitra Crowder, caf/ manager at Fowler Middle School, and Lana Anderson, field supervisor.
Frisco ISD is one of the few districts in the Metroplex to hire a nutrition educator whose sole responsibility is teaching students about nutrition in a fun and interactive way.
——
The Child Nutrition Program is an integral part of the Frisco ISD’s Wellness Policy adopted by the school board in 2007. Menu choices for students are low in fat and simple sugars and high in whole grain offerings, fresh fruits, and vegetables. The Virtual cafeteria is a fun way to see what menu items are available and how they meet nutritional requirements. FISD meals are analyzed for nutritional content and meet the RDA for each age/grade group.
Students in FISD are served by a nationally distinguished, “District of Excellence” Child Nutrition Program as designated by the School Nutrition Association. The district of excellence recognition ensures that nutrition education, administration, communication, operations, and marketing of FISD’s program meet goals to serve healthy, delicious foods. Healthy snack choices are provided and nutrition education classes are a part of the curriculum as the Child Nutrition Department works with educators to help students learn about nutrition and exercise as part of a lifelong lifestyle. An average of 16,000 meals and meal equivalents are served daily.
For information regarding the school district’s requirements, programs, and child nutrition, parents may contact the school principals or visit www.friscoisd.org.
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