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Study: Schools Improve Student Health
It seems obvious that serving school kids better food and requiring more exercise at school would improve their health. But is it really enough to focus just on the school? Doesn’t change have to happen during off-school hours?
Not necessarily, according to a nationwide study of more than 4,000 middle school students. A pilot program involving eight medical centers and 42 schools offered more nutritious food, increased daily activity and taught about healthy lifestyles showed that intense intervention can have some effect on kids who are overweight or obese.
Schools in the program were divided into two groups: one group only got money to improve student health. The other half got money and an intensive program focused on student health: better food in the cafeteria and vending machines, 225 minutes of vigorous exercise over a 10-day period, and class-time dedicated to talking about nutrition and health.
Among other improvements — which, the study concedes, were fairly modest — was a reduction in the obesity rates. Other factors that would contribute to diabetes also improved.
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