Prevention and Wellness in Pre K-12 Education

Steven H. Kelder, PhD, MPHProfessor, The University of Texas School of Public Health

Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living

Wellness SymposiumUniversity of Texas System

March 19 – 20, 2007

It is difficult for students to be successful in school if they are…

Sleep deprived (caffeine + screen time)Hungry (skipped breakfast, poorly nourished)Low-fit (less available energy)Sick (acute or chronic; ADD, asthma)Mentally ill (depressed)Injured (intentional or unintentional)Bullied (physical, verbal)Overly stressedUsing alcohol or other drugsInvolved in unhealthy relationshipsPregnant or parentingAbused

Language of Health

PhysicalPhysiologic functioning

MentalSubjective

sense of well-being

SocialRole fulfillment

SpiritualRealization of

potential

Acute disease

Chronic Disease

Optimal Health

Poor health

Physical, Emotional, Cognitive Development

Students who met minimum fitness levels in three or more physical fitness areas showed the greatest gains in academic achievement.

Energy Intake Energy Expenditure

Energy Balance

Individual Factors

Behavioral Settings

Social Norms and Values

Communities

Worksites

Health Care

Schools and Child Care

Home

Demographic Factors (e.g., age, sex, SES, race/ethnicity)

Psychosocial Factors

Gene-Environment Interactions

Other Factors

Government

Public Health

University

Health Care

Agriculture

Education

Media

Land Use and Transportation

Communities

Foundations

Industry

Food

Beverage

Retail

Leisure and Recreation

Entertainment

Physical Activity

Sectors of Influence

Food & Beverage Intake

IOM Comprehensive approach for preventing and addressing childhood obesity

SOURCE: Institute of Medicine, Progress in Preventing Childhood Obesity, 2007, pg 20.

Coordinated Approach to Child Health (CATCH)

Classroom Curriculum

Physical Education

School Food Service

Family

Determinants of CATCH Implementation Success

Administrative support– TEA, School District, School Campus

CATCH Champion– Physical Education, School Food Service,

Classroom teacher, Nurse, Counselor Parent Teacher Organization

The test of the morality of a society is what it does for its children.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer

Knowledge is not enough; we must apply. Willing is not enough; we must do.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe