Wellness mandate needs healthy funding and support to thrive

From: National Restaurant Association

November 14, 2005

By Donna Boss

Americans are well aware that our children are getting fatter and becoming more susceptible to diabetes and other nutrition-related diseases. In response to increasing childhood obesity and declining consumption of more nutritious foods among youngsters, Congress at long last has stepped up to the plate and mandated action.

Our legislators specified in the Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004 that by the first day of the school year after July 1, 2006, each school district participating in the National School Lunch Program must have in place a local wellness policy.

As part of this policy, school districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities designed to promote student wellness. Districts also must establish nutrition standards for all foods that are available on school campuses during the school day, with the objective of promoting student health and reducing childhood obesity. In addition, school districts are required to measure the implementation of their wellness policies and involve a broad group of individuals in and outside of schools in its development.

We all can hope that lawmakers follow through with their call to action by delivering sufficient funding to states to achieve their wellness goals. We also can hope that if the states actually receive the funding, they will distribute it not just for administrative functions, but for program development, where it could have a tangible impact.

Nonetheless, the primary responsibility now lies with the local districts. Several school foodservice directors and proactive wellness advocates in their districts are taking immediate action, realizing the impending deadline isn't far off. Such is the case in Pittsburgh Public Schools, where the creation of a wellness policy and its implementation may become a national model.

Soon after the Reauthorization Act was passed, Danny Seymour, director of foodservice for Pittsburgh Public Schools, took the initiative to develop a policy in his district. He first contacted Kate Bowers, who solicits funds and grants for the Pittsburgh Board of Education. She soon brought in funding from local foundations to support policy development. At the end of February, a newly formed committee of leaders from the schools and the community met for two days to hammer out the district's first wellness policy. They listened to the inspirational remarks of Dr. Patrick Cooper, who in 1996 took on the job as superintendent for the challenged McComb, Miss., schools. Cooper implemented a wellness policy there and since has been gathering proof that wellness is beneficial to students' achievement.

With the guidance of a facilitator, the group prioritized nine points to be included in the Pittsburgh school district's wellness policy. During subsequent months, a subcommittee polished the wording and completed a document in May, which can be viewed at http://www.pghboe.net. In July the policy was sent to the Board of Education's business and finance committee. In late August the board approved the policy.

"As you can imagine, we were elated," Seymour said.

Seymour admitted that implementing such a policy is a long-term, ongoing process that would require patience and constant commitment. But he also noted he is confident that once the district's staff, students, parents and community members become involved, the momentum will encourage creative implementation.

During the next six months, he said, established programs, such as "Healthy Class of 2010," which is designed to increase middle school students' awareness of the benefits of physical activity and good nutrition, will be enhanced or expanded.

Another related wellness policy recently banned the sale of chips and carbonated beverages in all Pittsburgh public schools.

Pittsburgh and other school districts, especially those in urban areas with severe budget challenges, will need resources to implement wellness policies and to measure their effectiveness. Congress, state and local governments must recognize that supporting wellness, whether through curriculum development, physical fitness activities or higher reimbursements to schools so they can serve more healthful food, is an endeavor more valuable than many pork barrel projects. And schools must find new ways to accept funding from the private sector without jeopardizing their independence.

With directors like Danny Seymour and his colleagues in Pittsburgh setting new standards, wellness may at last be given the emphasis and support it needs.