For Immediate
Release: October 7, 2004
Audio Clip
Sen. Bernest Cain signs the cover letter of the list of
recommendations
to be sent to the Healthy and Fit School Advisory Councils.
Officials Present Recommendations
for
Healthy and Fit School Advisory Councils
The Task Force for the Promotion of Children’s
Health has released its recommendations for the establishment
of Healthy and Fit School Advisory Councils in Oklahoma
schools. The list of recommendations includes suggestions
about physical education and physical activity, nutritional
education and services, as well as health education and
health services.
Senate Bill 1627, also known as the Healthy and Fit Kids
Act of 2004, authored by Sen. Bernest
Cain and Rep. Darrell
Gilbert, requires the establishment of the advisory
councils in every school.
“Childhood obesity has increased 100% in the last
twenty years and something has to change. We wanted to give
some concrete ideas to our local councils to help get them
started in their efforts and we hope these suggestions will
do that,” said Sen. Cain, Chair of the Senate Human
Resources Committee. “We have to remember that this
isn’t just a problem for schools or for parents. The
health of our youth is everyone’s responsibility and
we all have to work together to ensure their well-being.”
Statistics from the 2004 National Youth Risk Behavior Survey
(YRBS) show that Oklahoma ranks just under the national
average for overweight children, while exceeding the national
average in the percentage of females who are at risk of
being overweight as adults. Oklahoma is also under the national
average for the number of students enrolled in physical
education classes.
“We’ve been working for three years to get some
meaningful legislation passed to help our youth; and finally
with the help of the privately sponsored Fit Kids Coalition,
we got SB 1627 passed,” said Dr. John Bozalis, Task
Force Chair and Chair of the Schools for Healthy Lifestyles.
“This is the first piece of legislation voted on by
our Legislature that has been championed by several organizations
that are deeply interested in the promotion of our children’s
health. This is just the first step in restoring better
health in our youth.”
According to the State Department of Health, overweight
adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight
or obese adults. Some possible health risks associated with
obesity are heart disease, type II diabetes, high blood
pressure, some cancers and arthritis. Besides the health
risks, overweight youth also face social discrimination
stemming from low self-esteem and depression.
“We can’t make decisions for each individual
child, so it only made sense to put this project in the
hands of the local communities,” said Rep. Gilbert,
House Human Services Committee Chair. “Those individuals
are better suited to determine and meet the needs for improving
their youth’s health and well-being. We realize, though,
that the schools can’t do this alone, but through
our combined efforts we can make a significant impact in
the lives of our children.”
For
more information contact:
Senate Communications Office -
(405) 521-5774
