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The nationally recognized fit for learning program was
launched by the Santa Clara County Office of Education in 2005 in response to increasing
rates of childhood obesity. Designed in alignment with the California Content Standards,
the program also helps schools adhere to and support the guidelines set forth in their district's own
Local School Wellness Policy,
as required by the federally-mandated
Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004.
fit for learning is organized into
monthly themes,
each tied to an objective. For example, September's theme is Fruits and Veggies Matter,
which is also featured
month for Fruits & Veggies - More Matters, a campaign of the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The goal of September's theme is to spark children's interest in fruits and vegetables,
and to promote consumption of fruits and vegetables for better health.
Throughout the year, members of the fit for learning team collaborate with parents, teachers, and other
school personnel who go on to become Champions. The fit for learning
Champion at each school site
serves as a liaison to the fit for learning team at the SCCOE,
and helps guide the teachers at his
or her school in developing and implementing practices to ensure that their students are receiving
optimal guidance for healthy living.
Over the past 20 years, the rate of overweight children has
tripled, and today obesity-related illnesses such as diabetes are
affecting children at a rapidly increasing rate, and at earlier
ages. According to a study released by the California Department of
Health Services, physical inactivity, obesity, and overweight issues
cost the state of California an estimated $12.7 billion a year in
medical care.
In Santa Clara County, over 20 percent of children are projected to
be obese by 2010. Nearly 1 in 3 school children in the county were
deemed overweight in fitness tests, and only 1 in four met fitness
standards.
The Journal of the American Medical Association has reported that,
for children born in the United States, two out of five girls
and one in three boys have a chance of developing diabetes at some
point in their lives. For Hispanic girls, the rate goes up to one in
two.
This trend will cost the nation up to $200 billion by 2030,
according to the Yale School of Public Health.
The Santa Clara County Office of Education (SCCOE), uniquely positioned to
address the crisis of childhood obesity, introduces fit for learning, a
multi-faceted initiative that will increase physical activity and encourage
healthy nutrition among elementary school students in Santa Clara County. fit for learning addresses the environment at every level: the
classroom, the school, the district and community.
The goal of fit for learning is to create school environments that
promote healthy nutrition and physical activity for the children of Santa Clara
County. fit for learning will:
- Provide a classroom resource guide that will permit teachers to easily
incorporate healthy nutrition and physical education into classroom
learning;
- Establish and support a school site "Champions" program that will
train individuals to promote the development of healthy school environments;
- Engage students in creating healthier campuses;
- Engage fit for learning partners to reinforce the healthy
environment through after-school programs and parent involvement
- Develop and advocate for education policies that will support healthy
nutrition and physical education on the school campus.
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