This program
encourages schools to establish policy and environmental supports
that give students and staff more opportunities for physical activity
and nutritious food choices. Davis, Lapoint, Tabiona, and West
Jr. High have all been recognized for Creating a Healthy School
Community.
TriCounty
Health Department was very proud of the achievement of these silver,
and bronze winners. TriCounty had four of Utah's 52 Gold Medal
Schools, finish up with a successful first year and contributed
to the 24, 783 elementary students walking more than 892,188 Gold
Medal Miles throughout the state!
The Gold Medal
School Initiative was created to address physical activity and
nutrition in schools by making the school environment itself a
healthy place to learn. Schools are required to meet a menu of
criteria that address these issues. Schools can become Bronze,
Silver, or Gold and earn up to $1000 dollars depending on the
number of criteria they meet.
This year
Davis and Lapoint Elementary met the Silver criteria earning $500
and the Silver Medal. West Jr. High and Tabiona Elementary met
the Bronze criteria earning $300 and the Bronze Medal. Each school
has the opportunity to achieve further in the program for next
year.
Some of the
sample criteria include:
- Implementing
a policy for 90 minutes of structured activity each week.
- Establishing
a Gold Medal mile walking program on or around school grounds
and setting a goal for student participation.
- Creating
a faculty and staff wellness program.
- Making
a policy that food is not to be used as a reward or punishment
for students.
Currently,
an estimated 15% of Utah's children are overweight or obese and
doctors are reporting an alarming increase in Type II Diabetes
among adolescents. According to the Surgeon General David Satcher,
"Schools are identified as a key setting for public health
strategies to prevent and decrease overweight and obesity."
The Gold Medal School Initiative is the first of its kind nationwide
in addressing these serious issues in the school setting and hopes
to curb the frightening obesity epidemic in Utah. TriCounty Health
Department and Uintah, Daggett, and Duchesne County School Districts
take this issue seriously and are proud to be on the cutting edge
of health!
