Reader: HB 1088 would improve health, education statewide

Dear Editor,

Here are the facts: One in four Louisiana children are obese or overweight and at greater risk of developing diabetes, heart disease, and health problems. Louisiana children will spend roughly 180 days in school in the average year and nearly 19,000 days between kindergarten and high school graduation. Louisiana schools have no plans, and are unprepared, to address the childhood obesity epidemic, and its behavioral and academic challenges, that is consuming their campuses.

Study after study has linked the health of young people to their academic success, and their academic success with their health. Thus, helping students stay healthy is a fundamental part of the mission of schools.

There is a plan. Coordinated School Health is a solution recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that focuses on coordinating efforts that directly address student health and achievement. The crux of the program is a school health coordinator that is both empowered and accountable to involve administration, faculty, and community partners to improve school nutrition, teacher and student fitness, and general well-being.

The plan works. Tennessee adopted Coordinated School Health in 2006. Since then, they’ve seen gains in achievement, attendance, and graduation rates, as well as decreases in student body mass indices. Tennessee’s governor has committed to funding Coordinated School Health in the state budget to promote ongoing growth.

The plan has support. According to recently conducted public opinion poll, 85 percent of likely Louisiana voters said they are concerned about obesity rates among children. The same survey, initiated by the American Heart Association in association with the Louisiana Obesity Council, also found that 68 percent of voters supported a coordinated structure that addresses school health. Seventy-one percent of voters are in favor of the legislature providing some level of funding.

There is a bill. HB 1088 would establish a fiscally sensible pilot program in school districts around the state. We cannot ignore the evidence that child’s ability to learn is hugely affected by their health. Please remind your state legislator that education reform is not complete. We still have a big problem … and it’s getting bigger.

Catherine Straatmann

Houma

Catherine Straatmann is a volunteer with the American Heart Association. AHA is a member of the Louisiana Council on Obesity Prevention and Management, a partnership between the State of Louisiana, non-profit organizations, and private industry dedicated to confronting the growing obesity epidemic.