Increasing Physical Activity for Students in Delaware Schools

Increasing Physical Activity for Students in Delaware Schools Policy Paper #4 • 2009 Planting the seeds for better health SUMMARY About Nemours Health and Childhood obesity is one of the most serious public health crises facing the Prevention Services 1 nation. Obesity puts children at risk for diabetes and other chronic illnesses Nemours Health and Prevention and can lead to lifelong health problems, including reduced life expectancy. Services (NHPS) is a division of Nemours, one of the nation’s Thirty-seven percent of Delaware children are overweight or obese.2 Delaware largest pediatric health systems, has one of the highest prevalence rates of childhood obesity in the nation.3 operating the Alfred I. duPont Physical activity is important for achieving and maintaining a healthy weight. Hospital for Children and outpatient facilities throughout the The 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans indicate children Delaware Valley and northern and should be physically active for 60 minutes or more each day.4 The Institute central Florida. of Medicine (IOM) recommends that children accumulate a minimum of The goal of NHPS is to drive 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity daily and that schools long-term improvements in policies ensure that all students participate in a minimum of 30 minutes of moderate and practices that promote child to vigorous physical activity during the school day.5 health, and to leverage community strengths and resources to help children grow up healthy. An initial Childhood Obesity in Delaware Physical Activity in Schools area of emphasis is the prevention of childhood obesity through The prevalence of childhood obesity Regular physical activity is essential for promotion of healthy lifestyles, is increasing at an alarming rate in children’s health, quality of life, and the centerpiece of which is the the United States. Over the last 40 achievement of a healthy weight. The 5-2-1-Almost None campaign (visit years childhood obesity has more than 2008 Physical Activity Guidelines for www.GrowUpHealthy.org for quadrupled among 6-11 year-olds Americans indicate children should be details). NHPS is also launching and more than tripled among 12-19 physically active for 60 minutes or more an initiative to promote children’s year-olds.6 There are even higher rates each day.4 The Institute of Medicine social and emotional health. among subpopulations of minority (IOM) recommends that children and economically disadvantaged accumulate a minimum of 60 minutes of children. All states are experiencing moderate to vigorous physical activity this epidemic. Delaware is among the daily and that schools should ensure that hardest hit: 37 percent of Delaware’s all students participate in a minimum children are overweight or obese.2 of 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during the school day.5 Eighty percent of obese adolescents are projected to remain obese throughout These recommendations for physical adulthood, resulting in an increased activity in children cannot be met risk for chronic disease.7 Obesity’s without schools taking a major role. rising prevalence is responsible for an More than 95 percent of American almost 30 percent increase in medical youth, ages 5-17, are enrolled in school expenditures nationally.8 At least $207 and students spend an average of 33 million is spent each year to treat hours per week in school.10, 11 Schools obesity-related medical problems in present a variety of opportunities for Delaware.9 students to participate in physical activity in the classroom, at recess, and during physical education. In some communities, schools are the primary venue for physical activity. (continued on page 2) Nemours Health & Prevention Services Increasing Physical Activity for Students in Delaware Schools (continued from page 1) Other States Take Action Most children and youth, in Delaware fifth graders), researchers found that At least 21 other states and the nation, are not meeting the aerobic fitness, usually a result of being have enacted legislation daily physical activity recommendations. more physically active, was positively or regulation providing an Only four percent of elementary schools, associated with cognitive function.19 increased amount of physical eight percent of middle schools, and two activity for students.26 Most percent of high schools in the nation are Five controlled experimental studies of these states have been able providing daily physical education.12 have demonstrated that additional to implement their policies physical education time does for minimal cost.27 For Delaware children and youth not negatively impact academic example: have generally poor fitness levels: performance.20 For example, a 2006 in 2007-2008 only 26 percent of study concluded an additional 55 • Florida legislation requires students participating in the state minutes of physical education per that each school district FITNESSGRAM® assessment scored day did not compromise grades or provides 150 minutes per in the “Healthy Fit Zone” for all five standardized test scores for sixth week of physical education 13 grade students.21 for grades K-5. tests administered. Sixty-six percent of Delaware middle school students do not • Texas legislation establishes participate in the recommended amounts Recess has been shown to be beneficial mandatory participation for of physical activity and the average to children as well, providing students in grades K-5 in 30 Delaware youth is physically active for opportunities for students to engage minutes of daily moderate less than 20 minutes a day.14, 15 Eighty- in physical activity. A 2009 study to vigorous physical activity four percent of Delaware parents believe concluded that at least one daily recess throughout the school that insufficient exercise is a problem period of more than fifteen minutes in year, which can include for children in Delaware.16 Ninety-five length for 8-9 year olds was associated physical education classes with improved class behavior, percent believe that schools have a role 22 or recess. Thirty minutes of to play in addressing childhood obesity.16 according to teacher ratings. daily moderate to vigorous physical activity is required Delaware Background and Needs for students in grades 6-8 Connection between Physical Activity for at least four semesters and Academics While physical education is required during those grade levels. in Delaware schools, the current Recent research is beginning to Delaware Department of Education • North Carolina’s state demonstrate linkages between physical (DOE) regulations for physical board of education activity and academic achievement. education do not specify the amount encourages elementary According to a 2005 study from of time that schools should spend schools to have students California, which focused on the on physical activity and physical participate in 150 minutes importance of physical education in per week of physical education. The regulations require schools, students with higher fitness activity and middle schools local school districts and each charter scores had better standardized test scores school to provide instructional to have students participate 17 in 225 minutes per week of for reading and math. Preliminary programs in physical education for physical activity. findings from a 2009 study conducted each grade K to 12.23 in Texas have shown that students who are physically fit are more likely Physical activity, such as recess, is not to do well on the state’s standardized addressed in the regulations; they focus tests and have fewer attendance and only on instructional programming in disciplinary problems.18 In a 2005 study physical education. of Illinois children (third, fourth, and By Jamie Powers, Nemours Health and Prevention Services page 2 Nemours Health & Prevention Services Increasing Physical Activity for Students in Delaware Schools Legislative Action Brings Delaware Progress and Opportunities RECOMMENDED ACTION STEPS Physical Activity to Schools In 2006, Delaware took significant The following legislation has steps forward in this area. House Bill Policy makers should help paved the way for Delaware 471 amended Chapter 41, Title 14 of 1 Delaware join the 21 states that to take a leading role in the Delaware Code by establishing a have made significant progress toward ensuring that students promoting children’s physical physical education/physical activity activity in schools:24 pilot program that required at least obtain the recommended amounts six schools in Delaware to provide at of physical activity. House Bill 372 required each least 150 minutes per week of physical local school district and charter activity/physical education. Delaware stakeholders should school to assess the physical 2 build upon the successful efforts of fitness of each student at To date, 82 Delaware schools are the school districts in the state that least once at the elementary, either part of the HB 471 program or are helping students in grades K-8 middle, and high school have partnered with Nemours Health engage in 150 minutes per week of level and provide the results and Prevention Services (NHPS) to physical activity. to the student’s caregiver. make progress toward 150 minutes of FITNESSGRAM is the physical activity weekly. It is therefore Delaware schools should continue measurement tool being used in Delaware. estimated that almost 50 percent of the 3 assessing the physical fitness of 86,000 Delaware students in grades students and provide the results to

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