Posted on 02/19/2004 7:49:34 PM PST by Born Conservative
| Press Release | Source: Pennsylvania Department of Health |
PA Health Department Study Shows 18 Percent of 8th Graders Overweight
Wednesday February 4, 4:20 pm ET
The assessment was done to determine the prevalence of overweight children and youth in Pennsylvania and in recognition of the growing national problem of childhood overweight and obesity. Nationally, childhood obesity has been associated with the early establishment of chronic disease risk factors and rising healthcare costs.
"It is our responsibility to educate our children about the health risks associated with obesity," said Dr. Johnson. "Regular physical activity and good eating habits will help them have a happy and healthy tomorrow."
The assessment was conducted by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Pennsylvania State University. The analysis is based upon a large, statewide sample of Pennsylvania eighth graders.
The assessment measured the height and weight of more than 25,000 students in 160 schools over three school years, from 1999 to 2001. The Department of Health evaluated the information using the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's (CDC) Body Mass Index (BMI)-for-age growth chart (http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts).
The Department is conducting a pilot BMI program in 10 Pennsylvania schools to evaluate the feasibility of instituting an updated school growth screening program to monitor growth trends in youth. In addition to performing proper measures of height and weight, schools would be required to calculate BMI, plot BMI on CDC's growth charts, and communicate these results with parents. Feedback from the pilot sites is being reviewed to determine the protocols needed for schools, work load on school nurses and the reaction of parents to BMI information sent home with students.
Dr. Johnson reminded parents and caregivers that children and adolescents who are physically inactive and maintain a poor diet are at risk of heart disease, stroke, lung disease, obesity, diabetes, cancer and asthma in their adult years. The risk factors for heart disease such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure increase in overweight children and adolescents compared to children with a healthy weight. From 1999 to 2000, 15.3 percent of America's children aged six to 11 years and 15.5 percent of adolescents aged 12 to 19 years were considered overweight.
Last year, the CDC awarded the Department of Health a $649,000 grant to implement nutrition and physical activity strategies developed in the "Pennsylvania Nutrition and Physical Activity Plan to Prevent Obesity and Related Chronic Diseases," which can be accessed at www.panaonline.org and www.health.state.pa.us. The Department of Health is working with the Pennsylvania Advocates for Nutrition and Activity (PANA) to implement the grant.
To view a copy of the "Pennsylvania Assessment of Overweight Children and Youth" or other health-related information, visit the Pennsylvania Department of Health's Web site at www.health.state.pa.us.
When the parents complained they were told that while bullying isn't tolerated, the bully has to have SIX offenses before being punished...........
They give awards, big deal.
I don't need a plaque on the wall telling me we have excellent parent involvement.
Our parent volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization, the ones who trample wet and soggy with a group of rowdy fifth graders through Gettsburg, the ones who bake cookies for meetings, the brave souls who chaperone the 6th grade trip to Washington DC each year, those that attend every party, assembly and volunteer for each special event. Those are the things these people care about, not some lofty political agenda pushed by national.
Several parents, including the most recent past President is supportive of dropping PTA for a PTO. She too felt they really had nothing to offer. I hope to begin discussing a change with my board members at the next executive meeting, I already know several will support the idea.
In both cases (Texas and Pennsylvania) the decision to become a PTO had been made before I was ever involved so I wasn't sure how the decision was made - but I agree with you 100% that it is the parental involvement, not a National organization, that makes a support group for the children.
I do suggest written by-laws adapted for your group - reviewed yearly - We had some problems with people getting elected to office then not ever wanting to "step down"....... lol...... we revised the by-laws to include a two year limit for executive office - although an individual could be nominated for a different executive office the following year.
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