Childhood Obesity and Schools: Evidence From the National Survey of Children's Health

Abstract

Regardless of household socioeconomic status, children attending public schools have higher BMI than those attending private schools. Eligibility for free or reduced-cost lunch or breakfast programs at public schools is positively correlated with children's BMI. Children attending public schools are more likely to be overweight. In lower socioeconomic status households, school type does not have a significant effect on the probability of being overweight. Policy recommendations for factors to address childhood obesity are discussed.

Comercialização De Lanches E Bebidas Em Escolas Públicas: Análise De Uma Regulamentação Estadual

“…Nesse contexto, o ato alimentar pouco saudável contribui para o aparecimento e agravo das Doenças Crônicas Não Transmissíveis (DCNT), o que corrobora uma crescente prevalência de obesidade entre escolares. 7,8,9 Dados da Pesquisa Nacional de Saúde do Escolar (PeNSE) realizada em 2012 mostraram que o consumo pelos estudantes de alimentos considerados não saudáveis, ricos em açúcares e gorduras, tem aumentado. O consumo de guloseimas (doces, balas, chocolates, chicletes, bombons ou pirulitos) em cinco dias ou mais na semana foi referido por 41,3% dos escolares, em conjunto com o consumo de biscoitos salgados (35,1%) e de refrigerantes (33,2%).…”

Health Education

“…1 Health and social problems such as hunger, poor nutrition, substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and violence in school contribute to absenteeism, a status which increases the risk of dropout. [1][2][3] Data from Youth in Iceland, a population-based, cross-sectional study of 6,436 Icelandic youth, demonstrated that lower bMI, greater physical activity and proper nutrition were all associated with higher academic achievement, as well as better self-esteem. Poor nutrition negatively impacted self-esteem and academic achievement, as did higher bMI.…”

“…4 Health status not only impacts a student's potential for academic success, but academic success, in turn, determines future employment options, self-efficacy and health status in adulthood. 3 Schools have the potential to address the cognitive, physical, social and emotional health of the 95% of American children who are enrolled in these institutions; additionally, there is evidence that collaborations between schools and community health agencies result in improvements in academic achievement and the health status of students, as well as the health of teachers and other school staff members. 1,2 Each school day is an opportunity for millions of students to learn about and practice healthpromoting behaviors.…”

A Taste of Good Health: School-Based Parent and Family Healthy Lifestyles Classes to Reduce Childhood Obesity

“…There are relatively few studies, however, that engage in the systematic evaluation of these interventions, particularly studies that examine the long-term effects (Cole et al, 2006;Evans et al, 2011;Foster et al, 2008;Li & Hooker, 2010;Story, 1999).…”