Connecticut State Department of Education
Connecticut State Department of Education
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School Behavioral Health What's New
A new article in this month’s issue of the Health Education and Behavior journal is based on Connecticut’s 2003-2005 Healthy Snack Pilot. The article addresses two concerns regarding selling healthy foods at school: Do children compensate at home by eating more unhealthy foods? Do school-based obesity programs increase student preoccupation with weight? Findings indicate that removing low nutrition items from schools decreased students’ consumption with no compensatory increase at home and no differences in students’ reported weight concerns. To view the online version of this article, click here! The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently released an MMWR report entitled Availability of Less Nutritious Snack Foods and Beverages in Secondary Schools—Selected States, 2002–2008. The findings of this report are from the School Health Profiles. The report indicates that Connecticut ranks number three in states in the percentage of schools in which students could not purchase candy or salty snacks from vending machines at the school or at a school store, canteen, or snack bar.
The report highlights the substantial progress made across the United States in increasing the percentage of secondary schools in which students could not purchase less nutritious snack foods and beverages from vending machines or at school stores, canteens, or snack bars. The greatest improvements were seen in states, like Connecticut, that have adopted strong school nutrition standards and policies for foods and beverages outside school meal programs. This report is available online. Click here! The vast majority of parents want schools to limit students' access to high-calorie chips, sodas and candy and to offer them opportunities for physical activity throughout the day, a new survey by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation shows. The national survey signals the breadth of parents' support for changes to make schools healthier places—and their willingness to help make those changes happen. In fact, nearly eight in 10 parents are ready to get more involved to create a healthier environment in their local schools. Read the press release. Click here! This document offers guidance to local education agencies in response to Section 10-203a of the Connecticut General Statutes, Guidelines Regarding Physical Health Needs of Students, Optional Adoption of Plans by Local and Regional Boards of Education. These guidelines are intended to assist local and regional boards of education with developing plans to:(1) engage students in physical activities; (2) formulate strategies to coordinate health education, programs and services; and (3) establish procedures for assessing the need for related community-based services. Guidelines for A Coordinated Approach to School Health contains recommendations and, when appropriate, requirements for local policies, using language that models best practice for the development of school health policies. It provides background that confirms and validates that physical and mental health affects school readiness and academic achievement. The guidelines address issues of connectedness to school, absenteeism, school climate, school health services and staff wellness, as well as curriculum for comprehensive school health education, physical education and nutrition education. Download Coordinated Approach to School Health by section: The physical, social and emotional health of students can support or hinder their academic success and their success in life. State and national data reveal that many Connecticut students engage in unhealthy behaviors that are detrimental to both their health and academic success. Conversely, the number of students engaged in healthy behaviors needs to be increased. Additionally, the data indicate that school environments are not always as supportive of students’ health as they could be. Yet, in spite of these and other challenges, Connecticut schools can have a powerful influence on students’ wellness.
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Content Last Modified on 2/4/2010 2:06:33 PM |
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