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Using school facilities to fight childhood obesity
Chris Atchison, guest columnist
Dec. 14, 2014 12:15 am
Driving by a local elementary school the other day, I was amazed as I looked at the new playground. The big, sprawling structure just begged for kids to climb and hang from it. There was a tiny part of me that was jealous of this playground, until I realized what was missing.
The kids.
The playground was behind a chain-link fence, and it was locked because it was after school hours. How unfortunate for the neighborhood kids because this would be a great place to play and explore. But the more I thought about it, the more I realized this was representative of a new reality.
First, children just don't have the same opportunities of generations past to simply play. You don't have to drive by an empty playground to know that - just look at all the electronics and busy schedules occupying our children. But there also are increasingly fewer places to safely play and exercise.
As schools grew concerned about liability issues, their playgrounds and facilities were closed when school employees weren't around to monitor activities. As teachers grew busier with classroom demands, there are fewer opportunities for school-sponsored events before and after hours. Plus, for many communities, there just hasn't been money available to create a municipal alternative.
All of this has unintentionally contributed to a rising health crisis - obesity. A shocking third of America's children between the ages of 2 and 19 are overweight or obese, and more than 65 percent of adolescents do not get the recommended amount of physical activity each day. These trends are disturbing in the short-term and alarming in the long-term. Childhood obesity can lead to unhealthy adults who not only battle their weight but other health concerns like diabetes, high blood pressure and so much more.
We can fight back, but we need a place where children and families can run, play and stay active.
We must follow the lead of innovative communities across the country that are helping schools become needed places to play.
These communities are encouraging school districts and community organizations to form shared-use agreements that allow schools to stay open during non-school hours so families can play and exercise and develop healthy habits that will carry them through life.
Despite the benefits of opening schoolyards during non-school hours, some have declined to do so because unclear liability laws make it difficult for them to assess their liability if they enter into a shared-use agreement.
This is the case in Iowa. We need laws that clearly address school district liability and incentivize schools to share their facilities to enable more schools and community organizations to form shared-use partnerships that benefit everyone.
Finally, consider this: a recent survey noted that a majority - 84 percent - of children are more active in areas with open and supervised schoolyards than they would be in communities with closed facilities.
Our children's futures are dependent on their health, and we cannot afford to turn children and their families away from gyms and playgrounds after school anymore. Shared-use agreements are a win for school districts, community organizations and, most important, our families' health.
So, please, let's make it easier for schools to help in the fight against childhood obesity. Let's unlock the doors and make for healthier communities.
' Chris Atchison serves on the American Heart Association's Commission of Consumer Health and Quality Coordinating Committee. He is also Clinical Professor and Associate Dean for Public Health Practice, University of Iowa College of Public Health and Director, State Hygienic Laboratory at the University of Iowa. Comments: chris-atchison@uiowa.edu
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