Research
It’s no surprise that obesity is one of the fastest growing health concerns in countries all over the world (Grabner, 2008). In the United States alone, around 60 million adults, 30% of the adult population, are considered obese and the problem doesn’t end there. Since 1980, the overweight rates among children have doubled and the adolescent population has seen their rates triple. Type 2 diabetes, a disease once only associated with adults, is showing up in children and 61% of overweight 5- to 10- year olds already have risk factors associated with heart disease (CDC, 2012).
One way to attack this epidemic is through promoting educational attainment and opportunities in our schools. Research by Kenkel (2006) shows that the educational attainment of a child’s parents has a strong negative effect on the child being overweight. This means that the less education that the parents have the higher chance that the child will be overweight. The children we teach now will someday become the parents of the next generation. The purpose of promoting education provides benefits for individuals not even born yet!
The “positive correlation between education and health has been augmented by research” and tied to a causal relationship between schooling and a variety of health measures (Grabner, 2008). Grabner suggests “that policies aimed at increasing general educational attainment can be an effective tool to lower the prevalence of obesity. Moreover, these health benefits accrue in addition to the positive effects on income and other non-health outcomes usually associated with higher education (p. 7).” Not only does educational attainment curb obesity, it promotes a variety of other positive effects for individuals.
One way to attack this epidemic is through promoting educational attainment and opportunities in our schools. Research by Kenkel (2006) shows that the educational attainment of a child’s parents has a strong negative effect on the child being overweight. This means that the less education that the parents have the higher chance that the child will be overweight. The children we teach now will someday become the parents of the next generation. The purpose of promoting education provides benefits for individuals not even born yet!
The “positive correlation between education and health has been augmented by research” and tied to a causal relationship between schooling and a variety of health measures (Grabner, 2008). Grabner suggests “that policies aimed at increasing general educational attainment can be an effective tool to lower the prevalence of obesity. Moreover, these health benefits accrue in addition to the positive effects on income and other non-health outcomes usually associated with higher education (p. 7).” Not only does educational attainment curb obesity, it promotes a variety of other positive effects for individuals.
Case Study: Center, CO
The data for body mass index (BMI) as reported on the Healthy Kids Colorado (HKC) survey indicates that Center Schools has a higher number of overweight students than the CO average; although, the number of obese is fewer. In addition, a disproportionate number of students report trying to lose weight, above the numbers reported for CO. Also, only 50% of our students compared to 53% for Colorado report physical activity at least four times in the previous week.
In addition, the school nurse collects data related to obesity rates. This data indicates that the number of obese students grades 3-11 has experienced a percentage change increase of 27.66% since 2007. The average percent of obese students in each class last year was 22.38%.
In addition, the school nurse collects data related to obesity rates. This data indicates that the number of obese students grades 3-11 has experienced a percentage change increase of 27.66% since 2007. The average percent of obese students in each class last year was 22.38%.
References
CDC, 2012. Retreived June 27, 2012 from http://www.cdc.gov/pdf/facts_about_obesity_in_the_united_states.pdf.
Colorado Department of Education. (2012). Overview of the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey: High School. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from
colegacy.org/.../Overview_2011-Healthy-Kids-Colorado-Survey.pdf.
Grabner, M.J. (2008). The Causal Effect of Education on Obesity: Evidence from Compulsory Schooling Laws. Available at SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1505075 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1505075.
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey-Center Consolidated School District. (2005-2011). Individual reports prepared by Omni: Denver, CO. Compiled
by Katrina Caldon-Ruggles, MA, LPC, NCC.
Kenkel, D., Lillard, D., Mathios, A., 2006. The roles of high school completion and GED receipt in smoking and obesity. Journal of Labor
Economics 24, 635-660.
Colorado Department of Education. (2012). Overview of the 2011 Healthy Kids Colorado Survey: High School. Retrieved June 27, 2012 from
colegacy.org/.../Overview_2011-Healthy-Kids-Colorado-Survey.pdf.
Grabner, M.J. (2008). The Causal Effect of Education on Obesity: Evidence from Compulsory Schooling Laws. Available at SSRN:
http://ssrn.com/abstract=1505075 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1505075.
Healthy Kids Colorado Survey-Center Consolidated School District. (2005-2011). Individual reports prepared by Omni: Denver, CO. Compiled
by Katrina Caldon-Ruggles, MA, LPC, NCC.
Kenkel, D., Lillard, D., Mathios, A., 2006. The roles of high school completion and GED receipt in smoking and obesity. Journal of Labor
Economics 24, 635-660.