Children’s is inviting schools to join us in our effort to improve child wellness and reduce childhood obesity. By working together, we will help school-age kids and their families lead healthier lives.
The school environment does not always support healthy lifestyles for children.
- PE and recess are not offered consistently or in adequate amounts to all children in public schools
- School lunches offer limited healthy choices
- Integrating programs into the school day is challenging given academic requirements, it’s difficult for teachers to take on more
We refuse to lose another generation to this crisis.
We believe it will take a multi-faceted, evidence-based approach to attack childhood obesity in schools:
1. Educate school professionals
Children’s is leading a public-private partnership to implement the Student Health and Physical Education (SHAPE) initiative, a statewide mandate requiring a standardized fitness assessment in public schools. The program will train teachers to assess all students enrolled in physical education programs in grades 1 to 12. Parents will also receive a fitness report detailing their child’s health related fitness levels, along with personalized tips and suggestions that can help in planning an individualized fitness plan. Statewide data will also be collected about the health-related fitness of Georgia’s children.
2. Increase physical fitness and healthy eating
Consistent with the CDC’s coordinated school health model, Children’s is committed to increasing physical activity and improving food choices in schools both during the school day and after school. We are partnering with elementary schools in select communities with higher rates of overweight/obese children to deliver an exciting year long program called Strong4Life Challenge. It is designed to teach elementary children about the importance of healthy eating and physical activity. It delivers our simple Strong4Life messages in a fun way that engages students, parents and school staff. The goal is to create a sustainable Strong4Life culture at each school that promotes behavior change. We are working with partners to offer the latest evidence based solutions to meet school needs.
Strong4Life has also worked with Kohl's Cares to create the Kohl's Healthy Halls School Wellness Program. This comprehensive wellness program is free to metro Atlanta elementary schools and offers resources for teachers, school nurses, schools staff, students and parents. Read more about the program here.
Want to learn more about our school programs? Contact us.