In-School Prevention of Obesity and Disease (IsPOD) Learn more at http://ispod.info
4
from the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NCAAHPERD)
1
(one) in
North Carolina
Immediate and Long-Term Strategies at Work
The In-School Prevention of Obesity and Disease (IsPOD) Program addresses North Carolina’s childhood obesity epidemic in several ways including:
FITNESSGRAM Evidence-Based Fitness Testing
(four)
children
overweight
or
A Comprehensive Solution
are
obese
K-8 students complete physical fitness tests to monitor progress as they advance to the next grade. Students, parents, and school administrators can use the data to allocate resources where they are needed most.
The Largest Data Collection of Physical Fitness in the United States
Physical fitness scores are anonymously submitted to the NC Center for Health Statistics, which collects and will analyze the data. In addition, students and physical educators participate in surveys designed to measure perceptions and behaviors regarding physical education, physical activity, and childhood obesity. As the largest data collection of childhood obesity and physical fitness, this information will provide North Carolina with an unprecedented window into the epidemic and give students, parents, school administrators, university researchers, policy makers, and others, the tools to solve the crisis efficiently and effectively
Innovative Curriculum
Physical Education classes have traditionally benefitted students such as athletes and physically active children who are not at risk for childhood obesity at the expense of those who are. The IsPOD Program seeks to reverse that trend via the SPARK (Sports, Play, and Active Recreation for Kids) Curriculum, which emphasizes small-group, noncompetitive play through moderate to vigorous physical activity as soon as students enter the gym (versus long periods of inactivity during roll call, activity demonstration, and teaming). In addition, the curriculum is flexible enough to be integrated into other curricula such as language arts, math, and science.
Professional Development for Physical Educators
The Facts:
Childhood Obesity in North Carolina
North Carolina has the 14th highest rate of overweight and obese children. Half of North Carolina students do not get the recommended amount of physical activity. 48.7% watch more than two hours of television on a typical day. Type II diabetes, a disease previously found only in adults, now accounts for 15-45% of child diabetes diagnoses in North Carolina.
Consequences of Childhood Obesity
Overweight children are significantly more absent than children of a healthier weight. Several studies demonstrate a negative association between number of absesnces and academic performance. Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becomming overweight or obese as adults (80% if a parent is overweight or obese). An overweight or obese adult will accrue $250,000 in lost productivity over the course of his or her career. Ensuring a healthier workforce is essential to the vitality of North Carolina’s economy.
North Carolina physical educators have received more than 30,000 hours of professional development. In many schools, a physical educator receives fewer hours of professional development than any other teacher. NCAAHPERD believes physical educators are first lines of defense against childhood obesity and an essential influencers whom inspire youth to discover and engage in physical activity for a lifetime.
Physical Educators
first lines of defense against
are
childhood obesity
Issy Role Model and Award Recognizes Student Achievement
Issy is a K-8 student’s shining role model and strives for excellence in physical fitness and healthful living courses. Unlike other awards, which are typically affiliated with superior athletic performance, ALL students are eligible to receive the “Busy Issy Award,” regardless of athletic abiility. Issy and Busy Issy Award Recipients display: - perseverance - academic excellence in health and physical education classes - willingness to help others - significant improvement The Busy Issy Award includes: - a Star Achievement Certificate - t-shirt - door prize or gift certificate for free admission to a local health or fitness-oriented activity such as a karate or dance lesson, climbing wall, or aquatic center.
Participating Schools
The IsPOD Program and/or its components are taught in schools throughout North Carolina and the local community, including:
Chapel Hill/Carrboro Schools:
Carrboro Elementary Estes Hills Elementary Frank Porter Graham Elementary Glenwood Elementary Grey Culbreth Middle Mary Scroggs Elementary McDougal Elementary Morris Grove Elementary Phillips Middle Rashkis Elementary Smith Middle
Orange County Schools: AL Stanback Middle Cameron Park Elementary Central Elementary CW Stanford Middle Elfand-Cheeks Elementary Grady Brown Elementary Gravelly Hill Middle Hillsborough Elementary New Hope Elementary Pathway Elementary
How Parents Can Help 1. Have a one-on-one conversation with your child’s physical education teacher to learn more about your school’s specific program. 2. Ask your child’s physical education teacher how you can help. Can you volunteer? If you are unavailable during the day, are the child’s grandparents? Often, time spent volunteering is a tremendous resource for a teacher - who may have 500+ students! 3. Write a letter to the editor to express your concern of the childhood obesity epidemic and raise awareness. In addition, organize a network of parents interested in the topic at the next PTA meeting.
About Us
Supporting educators in motion since 1921, the North Carolina Alliance for Athletics, Health, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance (NCAAHPERD) is a professional organization providing advocacy, professional development, networking opportunities, and resources for more than 2,500 teachers. Launched in 2007, the IsPOD program is funded through generous donations from the Blue Cross Blue Shield Foundation of North Carolina, the NC Health and Wellness Trust Fund, and a $3.6 million grant from the Kate B. Reynolds Charitable Trust.