State-level education policy essential to reverse childhood obesity

The new issue of The State Education Standard, the journal of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE), examines how education policymakers can best address childhood obesity in school settings.

This edition includes new information and resources for state and district leaders to help them incorporate the new Physical Activity Guidelines for Americans throughout the school day, improve the school food environment and apply evidence-based recommendations for the implementation of local wellness policies. Articles in the journal also draw lessons from key national nutrition standards for foods sold outside of school meals and consider the unique needs of children in at-risk communities, among many other critical issues.

Even as more attention is being paid to the epidemic in the media, what has not changed is that nearly one-third of American children and adolescents are obese or overweight. State boards of education are at the nexus of student health and education policy, providing them with the opportunity to help children learn about healthy eating and physical activity practices, as well as providing a supportive school environment.

"Few dispute that childhood obesity and overweight are significant contributors to chronic health problems, such as diabetes and cardiovascular diseases," said NASBE Executive Director Brenda Welburn. "The cost of developing and implementing obesity prevention policies in school settings now pales in comparison to the amount of money spent on treating these chronic conditions over time. Strong state-level education policy is essential to reversing the childhood obesity epidemic."