Going Back to School with a New Health Imperative

SPECIAL EMBARGO FOR RELEASE: 9:30 a.m. (ET) Thursday, August 10, 2006

VONDA FEKETE, Co-Chair, Pennsylvania Action for Healthy Kids (Since organization's inception, 2003); Nutrition Education and School Nutrition Programs Supervisor, Division of Food and Nutrition, Bureau of Budget and Fiscal Management, Pennsylvania Department of Education

New York, N.Y., August 10, 2006- As students gear up to get back to school, schools are starting the school year with a new focus on wellness. This year, for the first time, school districts are federally required to have Wellness Policies in place to address nutrition education, guidelines for foods in school, physical education, and physical activity. Action for Healthy Kids - a national grassroots partnership leading the Campaign for School Wellness - is committed to providing parents with the resources and information to get involved and help schools improve nutrition and physical activity during the school day.

"Parent involvement is vital to the success of improvements to school nutrition and opportunities for physical activity," says Vonda Fekete, Co-Chair of Pennsylvania Action for Healthy Kids. Fekete adds, "Schools cannot be expected to act alone to tackle the epidemic of childhood obesity, and parents nationwide have expressed commitment to working with their children's schools to bring about lasting changes."

Data overwhelmingly indicate that parents want the benefits that Wellness Policies can deliver for children's health and learning. A recent national survey of parents by PTA indicates that only 1 in 5 parents are likely to be involved in developing and implementing their child's school wellness policy; however, a strong majority of parents (65%) said a school nutrition/physical activity policy is important to them. Action for Healthy Kids surveyed parents nationwide at the beginning of the 2005-06 school year about school wellness practices. The survey found that most parents feel their children's schools should incorporate more healthy food choices in school vending machines and cafeteria lines, daily breakfast, daily physical education for all students, daily recess, and after-school programs that promote healthy snacks and physical activity. More findings from this survey are published in the Action for Healthy Kids' report, Parents Views on School Wellness Practices.

"PTA members are concerned about child health and wellness. They know that children's physical well-being has a significant effect on their learning and long-term success," said Anna Weselak, PTA national president. "It is critical that parents, schools, and communities have the resources they need to organize activities centered on fitness and nutrition."

Parents can propel the school Wellness Policies to go to work for student wellness by getting informed and telling school leaders that parents value school wellness practices. Working with PTA and other partners, Action for Healthy Kids' Campaign for School Wellness has identified specific ways for parents to help give their children a healthy start back to school:

1. Parents can visit their child's school and ask for a copy of the new Wellness Policy.
2. Join their child in the cafeteria and eat a school lunch to see firsthand what healthy options are available.
3. Make an appointment with the school principal or other administrator and ask the following questions:
   • How many days do students participate in physical education class?
   • Which after-school programs include opportunities to be physically active and have a healthy snack?
   • What types of food are sold to students outside of the school meal program?
   • What can I do to improve nutrition and physical activity for my children during the school day?

Action for Healthy Kids' Campaign for School Wellness brings communities, parents and health professionals together with educators to provide crucial support to schools as they implement their Wellness Policies to improve nutrition and physical activity in schools. For more information about Action for Healthy Kids' Campaign for School Wellness and to view the many resources available specifically for parents on this topic, visit www.ActionForHealthyKids.org.

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About PTA
PTA comprises nearly 6 million parents and other concerned adults devoted to the educational success of children and the promotion of parent involvement in schools. PTA is a registered 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization that prides itself on being a powerful voice for children, a relevant resource for parents, and a strong advocate for public education. Membership in PTA is open to anyone who is concerned with the education, health, and welfare of children and youth.