Nationwide School Health Initiative Notes (W7P1)

 WSCC Model (The Whole School, Whole Community, Whole Child Model)-"Improve every child's cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development"(CDC). Integrating public health and education. 

Emphasize role of community in supporting schools, connection between health and academic achievement, importance of evidence-based school policies and practices. 

10 Components:

1. Physical education and activity
2. Nutrition environment and services
3. Health education 
4. Social and emotional climate
5. Physical environment 
6. Health services
7. Counseling, psychological and social services
8. Employee Wellness
9. Community Involvement 
10. Family Engagement

• Establishing healthy behaviors during childhood is easier and more effective than trying to change unhealthy behaviors during adulthood 

"Incorporate WSCC model components as they see fit" said when talking about school enforcement. 

Cafeteria Application

• Posters

GO-healthy and nutritious (everyday foods)

SLOW- "sometimes foods"/several times per week but not everyday

WHOA- least healthy foods (once in a whole)

CDC recommends:

-colorful posters brighten up schools cafeteria and remind students of healthy choices (bright=grab attention). Available at local public health agencies or USDA. 

-Change poster monthly or update with the seasons to keep students interest

• Clocks

Give students enough tie to eat meals and the opportunity for socializing and connecting while eating

+ 10 mins for breakfast once seated

+ 20 mins for lunch once seated

Promote menu options ahead of time during announcements and on signs (promoting the healthy options). Provide monthly menu to all students and families, teachers, etc. Parents and students can view and help kids with food choices. Students can invite parents, occasionally. 

 (What is the healthiest school district doing right?)

• Consistently clean water station.

• Fruit Basket

Place near check-put

Farm-to-school programs ensure best freshness and community involvement 

Plan initiative-school garden, culinary arts program, fun taste test activities in classrooms (if students feel involved in the preparation, they will have incentive to eat it). 

• Competitive Foods

-Work with local suppliers to provide healthy vending machine options

-Support school policies that encourage selling of healthy foods at school and school functions

-Work with school district/community leaders to ensure good policies are consistent for all schools in the     area 

-Use pricing strategies that make healthier foods the cheaper option.

Gymnasium Application

• Pedometer Station

+ First stop in gym class/Goal=reach 3500 steps... This can be the grade.

+ Shoes: Some kids do not have properly fitting exercise shoes=voucher program at beginning of year with local merchants and school athletic association. Students receive vouchers so they can purchase discounted shoes at participating stores. Involves parents and community. 

• Water Filling Station

Teacher runs promotion campaigns where he allows students to create posters and share benefits of water. Posters near water-filling stations (allow students to make them). Engage students in explaining why hydrated bodies are healthier.

• Shape America- National Standard

-Primary (K-2): foundational skills, knowledge, and necessary values... (?)

-Upper Elementary (3-5): apply those skills, knowledge, and values

-Middle (6-8): reinforcement

-High School (9-12): encourage students to achieve physical activity through their lifetime... (?)

GOAL:  Develop "physically literate, confident individuals who choose to be active everyday"

To engage:(teacher standards)

-post daily challenges to promote variety of motor skills and push students through MVPA (S1)

-Students use class iPads to access info that "enhances" learning with regards to their personal fitness plans (S3)

-Opportunity to promote cooperation and team building (S4)

-Joy, self-expression, social interaction and sharing about fitness outside of school (S5)

• Climbing Wall

*Introducing non-traditional physical activities so that everyone can find something they like. 

+ Builds teamwork, leadership, and social skills. Equally popular among men and women. Available outside of school. 

+ Balance and flexibility/Integrate physical and mental challenges. Practice real-world skills

~Collaborate with local facilities to include outdoor recreation beyond team sports. 

~Work with groups to help organize after-school or weekend excursions to local recreation areas.

~Make it fun!

• Smart Board

~Post daily challenges for immediate engagement 

~Select heart rate monitors that project on board (compare perceived exertion with actual performance). Encourages friendly competition. 

~In small groups, use board to document progress

~Access sites like American Heart Association for information and learning. 

~Allows for accessibility and builds upon technology skills (?)

• Advertise Open-Gym Time

Generate community interest by staging Family Fitness Night and fun activities. 

Family Engagement and Community Involvement

Community-based Out-of-School Time (OST) Programs (after-school and summer programs open to community and families)

For example... (Parents and students together!)

~Partnership with Parks and Recreation Department for kids interested in swimming 

~Indoor open gym for families during breaks (basketball or group fitness classes)

What should we do?

-PE Staff on site

-Presentations on health education and physical activity

-Present wellness options at back-to-school night or parent open houses

-Fun runs

-CACFP*-Healthy snacks

-Integrate physical activity to boost focus and attention (activity in classroom)

• Technology Cart

Charging station for school devices

Student love video games= "exergaming" (during lunchtime and intramural breaks (?))

Record physical performance and access tools and information 

Access personal exercise apps to monitor progress

Free low-cost apps are available 

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "Virtual Healthy School". https://www.cdc.gov/healthyschools/vhs/index.html.  Last Accessed 29 March 2021. 

Lifestyle Medicine and Autoimmune Disease:

Autoimmune diseases: Multiple sclerosis (MS), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), Type 1 Diabetes (T1D), and Psoriasis (Ps)

What do they share?

-Multifactorial etiologies

-Involvement of T cell-mediated autoimmune path-mechanisms

-Chronic clinic course that involves long-term management 

Genetic factors predispose to development: 

• Very low concordance rate between monozygotic (identical) twins-indicates that environmental factors may trigger disease
• Striking increase of autoimmune diseases in recent decades (genetic bases have been constant)
• Higher prevalence in Western societies. Low prevalence in Eastern and developing countries.

Hygiene Hypothesis: Good hygiene standards and good health care reduce the burden of infections, but also limit exposure to pathogens that could be beneficial to immune system function. 

Possible Other Causes (In Research): Psychological stress caused by high demand for productivity. Smoking and alcohol consumption could also be lifestyle risks ad impact severity. Lack of physical activity combined with excess calorie intake and frequent "fast food" leads to high obesity and metabolic and cardiovascular disease. Dietary habits and a high BMI are risk-factors. 

Diseases most impacts by diet:

 IBD-          +Chrohns Disease

                   + Ulcerative Colitis

Primary affected organ=Gut

Research has not been able to discover a clear cut dietary cause but: 

-Possible predisposing role of animal protein and a protective effect of w3-polyunsaturated acids (N3-PUFA).

No research has firmly verified functional links. 

Konijeti, Gauree G et al. “Efficacy of the Autoimmune Protocol Diet for Inflammatory Bowel Disease.” Inflammatory bowel diseases vol. 23,11 (2017): 2054-2060. doi:10.1097/MIB.0000000000001221