OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPI

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moving forward - Policy InitiativesPolicy Initiative No. 4SupportComprehensive FitnessTesting in SchoolsIn March 2006, theAmerican HeartAssociation (inconjunction witha fitness testingprogram sponsoredby the Chrysler FundAmateur AthleticUnion) reported that9.7 million youngstersbetween the agesof six and 17, aregetting slower inendurance runningand weaker overall.The CaliforniaDepartment ofEducation studiedthe relationshipbetween physicalfitness and academicachievement, andthe data showedthat higher academicachievement wasassociated withhigher levels offitness at each ofthe three gradelevels measured.24THE CHALLENGEThe goal of Comprehensive Fitness Testing is to assist students inrecognizing good health and establishing lifelong habits of regularphysical activity. The tests are a mechanism for teaching studentshow to apply behavioral skills such as self-assessment, goal setting,and self-monitoring and provide feedback to students, parents, andschools about students’ physical fitness.As a result of previous comprehensive fitness testing in areas acrossthe country, studies such as the National Health Education Standards:Achieving Health Literacy and Moving into the Future: NationalStandards for Physical Education have already determined objectivesto help guide teachers and students throughout this program. The students’knowledge of fitness is measured through pencil-and-paper examinations,while physical performance measurements are recorded on their aerobiccapacity, body composition, strength, endurance, and flexibility.Some school districts may opt to require that each student’s test resultsare sent home to parents and guardians, but the test results are notintended to be factored into report card grades.The tests are beneficial for many reasons. They provide students withan opportunity to gain knowledge, attitudes, motor skills, behavioral skills,and confidence to participate in physical activity, which may establishactive lifestyles that young people will continue into and throughouttheir adult lives. If parents and guardians are involved, they can helpenforce fitness plans at home to meet each child’s individual needs.School districts and individual schools gain informative results thatdetermine the fitness levels of their students in order to provide effectivedirection for physical education programs.NATIONAL SUCCESSTexas was the firststate to require an annualphysical fitness assessmentof public school students.The Texas Education Agencyhas been using the results toresearch various correlationsbetween health and academicperformance. Research hasconsistently shown thatincreasing time in physicaleducation and other physicalactivity programs in schoolsmade a positive impact onacademic performance.The results proved thatadvancing children’s physicalfitness benefits both the kidsand the schools.California requires eachschool district to administera Physical Fitness Test (PFT)annually to all students ingrades five, seven, and nine.The State Board of Educationdesignated the FITNESSGRAMas the required PFT forCalifornia public schools.FITNESSGRAM usesobjective criteria to evaluatefitness performance. Twolevels of performance havebeen established for each teastoption: (1) in the HealthyFitness Zone and (2) needsimprovement, with the zonesvarying according to gender andage. The California Department
A project funded by the POWER initiativeof Education used the resultsto study the relationshipbetween physical fitness andacademic achievement. The datashowed that higher academicachievement was associated withhigher levels of fitness at each ofthe three grade levels measured.<strong>MISSISSIPPI</strong>’S SUCCESSAt Walls Elementary Schoolin Desoto County, Mississippi,physical education teacher,Allison Taylor implementedthe President’s Challengenational fitness test in October2008, determined to findways to motivate many ofher students to get in betterphysical condition. She decidedto integrate 10 minutes ofProject Fit during each physicaleducation class and focused onexercises such as sit-ups, pullups,and flexed arm hangs toincrease strength and endurance.Students also ran together inclass to prepare for the milerun and shuttle run.In the fall, 70 studentsqualified for the President’sChallenge National FitnessAward. Showing improvement,150 students qualified in thespring. The students expressedthat their hard work paidoff in the end.The State Board of EducationPolicy currently requires fitnesstesting in grade five and thenone year of high school.only36%of Mississippi high schoolstudents meet recommendedlevels of physical activity.25
Page 1 and 2: OBESITY IN MISSISSIPPIa report comp
Page 3 and 4: TABLE OF CONTENTS4 | Introduction &
Page 5 and 6: Finding an AnswerOverweight adolesc
Page 7 and 8: A GROWING PROBLEMNationally, childh
Page 9 and 10: What is Mississippi Doing?Thanks to
Page 11 and 12: A project funded by the POWER initi
Page 15 and 16: Moving forwardWith the measurements
Page 23: A project funded by the POWER initi
Page 39 and 40: SEEKING ACTIONEach of Mississippi
Page 41 and 42: A project funded by the POWER grant
Page 48: Report compiled by theMississippi D

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