"Body Mass Index (BMI) is a number calculated from a person’s weight and height. BMI provides a reliable indicator of body fatness for most people and is used to screen for weight categories that may lead to health problems." - Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The California Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness & Sports and 24 Hour Fitness are providing California high school students with nearly a semester of FREE access to 24 Hour Fitness facilities. Students can log on to www.calgovcouncil.org/register, sign up to take the 4-week Governor’s Challenge, and print their free “Teen Fitness Pass”.
Governor’s Challenge
The Governor’s challenge is a 4 week online activity calendar, designed to track physical activity and reward people who are active for 30-60 minutes a day at least 3 days a week.
Note from Irene Brady, Coordinator for Assessment and Evaluation
The commitment to physical fitness needs to be observed on a daily basis - in school, at home and in the community. IUSD students participate in physical education activities in accordance with the instructional minutes requirement of the California Education Code. According to the newly adopted Physical education and Fitness Board Policy (BP 6146), “The primary goal for the physical education program is for every student to develop the knowledge and skills for specific physical activities, to develop and maintain a fit and healthy body, to participate in regular physical activity, and to understand the short and long-term benefits of a physically active and healthy lifestyle”.
Below you will find information on how we are supporting that commitment during school hours.
Note from Marcia Noonan, Coordinator of Health Services
By maintaining a healthy fitness level, your student may have a reduced risk for developing heart disease, obesity, diabetes, or low back problems. Developing good exercise habits is important to maintaining lifelong health. You can help your student develop these habits by encouraging regular participation in physical activity.
Children between the ages of 2 and 17 spend over 3 years of their waking lives watching television. This does not include the time spent using a computer, playing video games or watching videos. Students often eat high caloric snacks while watching television as they are a target audience for food advertisements during that time. A further problem to consider is that the time spent in front of television, computers and videos requires little energy expenditure beyond the resting metabolic rate and decreases valuable time that could be spent in physical activity. Limiting these activities is critical in assuring that your child stays fit and healthy. In recent studies, it was found that the family usually sets the tone of the household with regard to dietary choices and exercise patterns and behaviors.
What is it that motivates adolescents and teens to be physically active? A recent study by Contemporary Pediatrics reported that having ‘fun”, meeting new people, enjoying time with friends, was seen as a motivator. Physical activity described as “exercise” or “sports” was not perceived as fun by the study group participants. Other factors that reinforced participation in physical activity included having active friends that were supportive as well as verbal and physical support from family members.
It is only by working together as parents, students, and educators that we can impact the future. Healthy children make better students, and better students build healthy communities.
Note from Rhonda DeVaux, Director of Food Services
IUSD’s Food Services staff wants all students to make wise food choices and develop good eating habits. Meals offered at all school sites meet and/or exceed USDA standards. Menus are planned using nutrient analysis. When averaged over a week, calories from fat are 30% or less, and calories from saturated fat are 10% or less of total calories. Nutrient standards are met for protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C. Menus are also checked for fiber, sodium and cholesterol. Menus are posted on the district website in the Food Services section. Although students have the option of declining one or two menu items, they are encouraged to select all meal components to ensure they have a balanced meal. At elementary schools, the sale of extra items at lunch is limited to milk, juice and water. Middle and high schools no longer offer sodas, but offer a wide variety of menu items and ala carte foods.
All schools are now on the LunchBox computerized point-of-sale system. Parents can see a record of what their children are purchasing by going to the district website, selecting Services, Food Services, Online Payments, then Check Balance and/or Make Online Payment. The new system allows parents to authorize the purchase of meals only, or put limits on the purchase of ala carte items. Food allergies and/or religious restrictions can also be noted.
IUSD will have a new district Wellness Policy in place July 1, 2006, that will reinforce the efforts of parents to support good food choices. New legislation (SB12 and SB965) affecting food sold at school goes into effect July 1, 2007; however, IUSD is moving forward to meet the new criteria by the beginning of the 2006-2007 school year.
Numerous studies have shown that well-nourished children learn better, have better attendance records and fewer discipline problems. Our district is committed to supporting student achievement and life-long health through good nutrition; however, we have the students only 180 days of the year. Families need to reinforce good food choices and adequate physical activity all year long!
