How can schools nurture healthy, well-educated students?

By Bruce KiddFaculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education

University of Toronto

1. Massive evidence for physical activity (PA) and health eating as contributors to healthy growth and development and effective learning

2. To enhance PA through public education, we must strengthen three effective but neglected avenues:◦ HPE curriculum◦ After-school sports◦ Active school transport

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3 risk factors cause four chronic diseases (cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, many cancers and chronic lung disease) that cause over 50% of deaths worldwide.

The risk factors are:

Tobacco use

Lack of physical activity

Unhealthy diet (including harmful use of alcohol)

Only 7% of Canadian children receive recommended 60 minutes daily

Upper-class children 3X more likely to participate than those from lower class households

Primary and secondary prevention of non-communicable

diseases (NCDs), especially cardio-respiratory diseases,

diabetes, some cancers, and obesity.

Strengthened immune surveillance, reduced risk of

infection.

Strengthened bone health, reduced risk of osteoporosis.

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Strengthened social inclusion.

Strengthened community safety, reduced youth

crime.

Fewer sexually transmitted diseases, unwanted

pregnancies, sexual assaults.

Increased school retention, academic

achievement, and school safety.

Strengthened citizenship (moral behaviour,

empathy, reasoning and leadership).

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1. Release and implement the 2010 Ontario curriculum, with much improved sections on◦ Sexual health◦ Healthy eating◦ Drug and alcohol awareness

◦ Mental health challenges

While keeping coaching voluntary, boards and schools recognize the time commitment as part of workload

Teachers unions respect members’ decisions to coach, and recognize ‘the negative impact on students when they consider using withdrawal of services from co-instructional activities as a bargaining tactic.’

Promote school travel planning, through education, enforcement, improved infrastructure, etc.

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