Stephen Virgilio on Childhood Obesity

What are the pros of getting America's public schools involved or more involved in trying to combat childhood obesity?

SV: Over 95 percent of the children in this country attend public/private schools ... it is the best opportunity to reach our nation's youth ... and, you have their attention. In a world of media overkill, the schools are the perfect vehicle to carry the message of healthy lifestyles to children. Furthermore, specific curriculum content in physical education has been refined over the last 10 years to include more subject matter in the areas of weight control, physical activity and fitness education.

The overall goal of any school should be the health and wellbeing of the children attending ... if obesity is now an issue, schools should address this problem to meet this critical societal demand.

What are the cons?

SV: The cons are that parents and the communities are depending too much on schools to address the obesity issue. Studies have demonstrated that the best approach for creating long-term positive health behaviors is the immediate home environment. Parents must look at their own weight, physical activity habits and eating behaviors if they expect their own children to lead a healthy lifestyle.

If school cafeteria lunches generally could be healthier and more nutritious, what has stopped them from being so? What can be done to improve them?

SV: School lunches have always been dictated by cost controls. For many years school were receiving government surplus flour, butter, salt and sugar at a very low prices. This was OK with schools but the meals were not very healthy ... menu items can be modified to reduce the fat, sodium and sugar content ... and that is being done now at very little additional cost.

You have said it's important to reach children in their formative years to help them develop positive behaviors. What age group are you talking about, and what programs do you have in mind for them that would deal with obesity?

SV: The formative years are from birth to age 12. During this period, a child has developed significant attitudes, beliefs and behaviors relative to their health. Current research has turned to our youngest generation ... the preschool years. A recent study found that 20 percent of 4-year-olds were obese. The notion is to begin to pay more attention to younger children before they begin to develop health compromising behaviors a little later in life.

As the co-author of the Heart Smart program, 1984-88 ($6 million NIH study), we found that a comprehensive Home-School-Community approach through the elementary school was the best chance to modify long-term behaviors in young children. In 2006, the Local Wellness policy was established ... it mandated that schools receiving government funding for school lunch/breakfast programs have a wellness policy in place to look at the food service, and additional opportunities for physical activity, a physical activity director and the formation of a wellness committee.

British TV celebrity chef Jamie Oliver came to America last year and launched a Food Revolution campaign ... he worked with school lunch crews in Huntington, W.Va., to create meals with fresh ingredients instead of processed foods that bring on obesity. He even set up a cooking school there. Your thoughts?

SV: I enjoyed the show, however, I feel that most every district can make modifications to the school lunches to make them healthier. It would be too costly for the average public school to outsource the school lunches ... some private schools have done this successfully but they have the income and use it as a selling item to attract students.

I think there should be cooking classes for parents after school, nutrition seminars, parent/child fitness classes and adult fitness classes in the p.m. ... all run through the school and coordinated by the wellness committee.

These questions have focused on the role of schools but is it fair to place the primary responsibility on them? Where do parents' child-raising responsibilities fit into this? Can't children take some responsibility themselves?

SV: The responsibility lies with the parents, teachers, civic leaders, medical professionals, the media, business and so on ... this is a multifaceted problem that we have created ... it's up to the adults to make it right again. It appears we'll have to take stronger action, similar to the smoking laws and restrictions enacted many years ago. Physical education might not be an option anymore ... according to the National Association for Sport and Physical Education (NASPE), all children should receive at least 30 minutes of instructional PE every day of the week in schools. Only one state, Illinois, adheres to that mandate. Physical education five times per week would be a step in the right direction ... but the model would not be complete without the home and the community involvement.

Are American public schools doing a good job with physical education classes and periods with a goal of reducing childhood obesity?

SV: Physical education has changed over the last several years ... the major goal is not on sport competition, but on learning how to lead an active, healthy lifestyle. Sport skills are still a part of the curriculum, however, they are taught as techniques to become more active ... and new activities have entered the PED programs ... e.g. yoga, Pilates, Zumba dancing, hip hop, spin classes, outdoor education, fishing, hiking, etc.

Some schools are curtailing or even eliminating recess periods to concentrate more on academics. Your reaction?

SV: Research has clearly demonstrated that children's test scores are not hindered if they have recess each day, or if they have physical ed. 2-3 times per week. In fact, some studies have showed that students' test scores are higher in the schools that offer PED and recess.

Is there anything else you'd like to say about childhood obesity and the role of schools in dealing with it?

SV: Schools should take the lead, set the example, reach out to the parents and help create a community that is mindful of the obesity issue facing both children and adults. Experts have predicted that this will be the first generation to experience a sicker, shorter lifespan than their parents. All aspects of our society must work together to solve the obesity problem. Michelle Obama's No. 1 focus issue is Childhood Obesity ... by initiating the LET'S MOVE program, she has brought national attention to the subject ...and positive things are starting to happen.

(Prof. Virgilio has been a children's health expert for more than 25 years. He teaches in the health studies, physical education and human performance science department at Adelphi. He is author of the books "Fitness Education for Children" and "Active Start for Healthy Kids." He has a B.S. from the University of Tampa, an M.A. from Adelphia and a Ph.D. from Florida State.)