Childhood obesity is a national epidemic-according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) about 11 percent of youth are overweight in the United States. The CDC reports poor nutrition and lack of physical activity as likely culprits with nearly half of youth ages 12 -21 not vigorously active on a regular basis and only 18 percent of youth 6-17 eating the recommended servings of five fruits and vegetables a day.

Thirteen DeKalb County elementary schools teamed with the DeKalb County Board of Health to address this problem by using the CDC's School Health Index for Physical Activity and Healthy Eating. This tool helped school officials to assess the current nutrition and physical activity programs and polices, determine needs and develop improvement plans.

The results of this effort are evident in new school programs. For example, Laurel Ridge Elementary now offers nutrition awareness programs to students and staff, incorporates golf and tennis into the physical education curriculum and sponsors a walking club. Seven fitness stations were installed on the grounds of Evansdale Elementary. And, at the Lullwater School, students benefit from therapeutic exercise classes that use movement to increase their attention span.

"We need to show children the fun in being active and persuade communities to provide more activities for their youth," said Jacquelyne Carr, Laurel Ridge Elementary's school principal. "Healthy habits that are adopted as a child are often carried over into a person's adulthood."

The DeKalb County Board of Health, with support from the Status of Health in DeKalb program and the State Cardiovascular Disease Prevention Initiative, provided funding to help schools implement their plans. Strategies target improved dietary habits and increased physical activity levels among the school staff, students and parents, as well as the community. The school nutrition and physical activity grant program awarded a total of $45,000 to eight schools.

"Parents and communities are needed in the struggle to address the problem of childhood obesity," said Robin Tanner, chronic disease prevention initiative coordinator with the DeKalb County Board of Health's Health Assessment and Promotion division. "By making it a priority to eat better foods and spend more time playing and staying fit with their children, parents can encourage healthy habits and bond with their children."

For more information about the school nutrition and physical activity program, contact Robin Tanner, M.S., R.D., L.D., chronic disease prevention initiative coordinator, DeKalb County Board of Health, at (404) 294-3700 or info@dekalbhealth.net or visit www.dekalbhealth.net.

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