Lawson Public School

List members of the group, roles and % contribution to the presentation• Hayley Bullen 16%• Monique Commins 16%• Samantha Dudley Group Leader (20%)• Amy Harris 16%• Melissa Shaw 16%• Wendy Wright 16%

Delete ONE of these boxes to confirm that all group members agree to the percent contributions.

Low-Mid Socio-economic School

NSW Government School– mixed

community

SafetySun

CyberWaterHealthRoad

Child protection Health programsCrunch and sip

Be skilled, Be fit Jump rope for heart

Vegie Patch

Student HealthCommunity Nurse

Health PlanMedicine policy

Immunisation

School RulesSupportive Programs

Self-esteemConfidenceSocial skillsFriendships

Physical ActivityWeekly PE programs

House sportSchool sport

Carnivals

StudentsGirls = 83 Boys = 94Indigenous students =

5%Language other than

English =11%Student attendance

rate = 94%

StaffTeaching Staff = 13

Non-teaching staff = 4

School

Cotext

http://www.lawson-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/Welcome.html

Priority Health Area: Obesity in Australia

What is Obesity?Obesity is a term which is used to describe

people within a weight range much greater than what is considered to be healthy for their height

(CDCP, 2012).

Factors that lead to childhood obesity• lack of breastfeeding, poor intrauterine

nutrition, low birth weight, timing of maturity and poor diet and low levels of physical activity (AIHW, 2012).

Why is obesity a priority health area?• Australia ranks fifth in the world for adult obesity• Strong link between excess body weight and Type 2

diabetes• Serious risk factors such as cardiovascular disease, and

some cancers http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/specialfeature.aspx?id=6142

In selecting a priority health area, our group believes it is imperative to target obesity. This decision was founded upon research that indicates obesity has been recognised as a priority health area since April 2008. Furthermore, our decisions were also based upon concerns stemming from the local community and schools, pertaining to an increase of obesity rates, along with the health related risks involved. This is particularly evident in our local newspaper ‘Blue Mountains Gazette’, where there have been numerous articles relating to overweight and obese school children. These reports show that doctors indicate there is a dramatic increase in the number and severity of childhood obesity cases they are treating; therefore, resulting in a high demand for specialist child obesity clinics, and  a ''huge increase'' in overweight children with joint and musculoskeletal problems because of their weight.

The gazette also provides other information leading towards preventative measures and education. This is evident in a local and national aim to ban chocolate fund-raising drives, and junk food advertising throughout schools and on television, in order to control childhood obesity. There are additional recommendations throughout the local paper to start teaching children at a young age with programs to help them to understand the necessary components of living a healthy and active lifestyle. This involves designing school programs to educate children about the calorie content of foods and their bodies' daily calorie needs, along with a strong focus on exercise that that can be incorporated into future adult daily lives. It is important to provide all children with nutrition education to show them that a good healthy diet and physical activity can prevent many medical problems such as weak bones, diabetes and asthma.

This priority health area is relevant to all stages of schooling, and our group has chosen to specifically target stage 1, as we agree with the recommendations put forth by the Blue Mountains Gazette that quality physical and health education programs should begin at a young age to aid in successful development of skills, knowledge and positive attitudes towards maintaining life-long optimum health and well-being.

These maps show the rate of childhood obesity for boys and girls aged 5-17. Lighter blue is less obese, through to dark red for more obese.

http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/specialfeature.aspx?id=6142

Girls Boys

An International snapshot of the Health status of Australia's children

Obesity has reached epidemic proportions throughout the western world, and according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), Australia ranks fifth in the world for adult obesity, with a rate of 26.6 % (BMG, 2012). Monash Obesity and Diabetes Institute 2012, states that Australia has ‘more than doubled in the past 20 years’ with around one in four adults being obese (AIHW, 2012). Direct and indirect costs related to this priority health area approximate to $830 million every year, which include inactivity and over consumption of food, diseases, and social costs. Obesity is rapidly increasing in Australian adults, and it has been estimated that 20% - 25% of Australian children are either overweight or obese. This clearly demonstrates obesity is an important public health priority which needs to address Australian children’s balance and adequacy of overall food intake, and the difficulty they have in making informed food choices due to the vast variety of foods available.This slide is a snapshot of the health status of Australia’s school children, which was published online by our local Blue Mountains Gazette. It provides a current and clear indication of how Australia’s childhood obesity levels compare with the other countries around the world. The images show that boys and girls aged 5-17 years are at about a 25-29 % obesity rate which is above average compared to some countries such as China. This information contributes to the growing concerns throughout our local community to provide all school children with adequate physical and health education, and to employ important intervention and preventative measures as in ‘Crunch and Sip’, ‘Be skilled, Be Fit’ from the government, to support the fight against obesity.

Student Health Status

Lawson Public School focuses on the prevention of childhood obesity through a number of programs that focus on personal

health choices and maintaining

an active lifestyle

Jump Rope for HeartEducates children on how to be fit and healthyImproves strength and confidenceBuilds healthy bones and musclesEducates students about fundraisingPromotes a sense of caring for othersStudents learn and develop an awareness about serious health issues i.e. heart disease and strokeMakes exercise fun and socialwww.heartfoundation.org.au/sites/jumpropeforheart

Crunch and Sip• Targets obesity• Promotes healthy

eating• To drink more water • Nutrition education• To increase physical

and mental performance in the classroom

• Promotes positive attitudes towards nutrition and healthy eating

•www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/2007

School vegie garden•Kitchen garden program

•Learn to grow, harvest, and prepare fresh food

•Promote positive attitudes

•Influence food choices

Be skilled, Be Fit • Develops gymnastics skills and

technique• Promotes high participation • Caters for diversity• Specialist PE program, run by the

company• Promotes social skills• Encourages healthy active

lifestyles•www.beskilledbefit.com.au

Physical Activity and Health Education• Students participate

in weekly sport• Promotes social skills• FMS development• Weekly class PE

programs

http://www.lawson-p.schools.nsw.edu.au/Welcome.html

To accommodate and maintain the student health status at Lawson Public school, they have adopted a variety of sound programs to help educate and promote healthy active lifestyles throughout the school, parents and the broader community.The crunch and sip program was first launched by the NSW government in 2007 as a state wide initiative, ‘in a bid to tackle childhood obesity’. If children are overweight or obese it can have a significantly negative effect on their physical, social and mental wellbeing; therefore, this program aims to increase fruit and vegetable and water consumption, and decrease consumption of energy dense foods and soft drinks. Lawson Public School has successfully implemented this program, allowing students to take a break after their morning session of learning activities. Students also participate in the cultivation of the school vegie patch, to learn how to grow, harvest, and prepare fresh healthy food. This facilitates in developing the skills needed in making healthy food choices, and raising awareness of the vital nutrients of foods needed to keep them healthy.The students of Lawson Public School take part annually in the ‘Jump rope for heart’ program. This enables students to see the benefit of vigorous exercise, and to have the opportunity to help others through fund-raising for a worthy cause. This program also educates them about serious health issues that are linked to obesity such as heart disease, and stroke.Other programs implemented are weekly sport and PE programs to teach students fundamental motor skills and promote the importance of physical activity and the effects it has on the body. Lawson Public School also provides a ‘Be Skilled, Be Fit’ program which specialised instructors come into the school to help promote fun, physical activity; building social skills and to encourage healthy active lifestyles.

Rationale: When individuals are well informed on health issues and have a sense of control about the decisions they make, they are more likely to experience positive relationships, improved quality of life and less illness. PDHPE programs play a unique role in the development of students’ knowledge, understandings and practical skills that lead to better health. This KLA promotes physical activity which is an essential ingredient for the development and maintenance of optimum health. It can improve cardiovascular efficiency and aid efforts to reduce risk factors of coronary heart disease. It is critical for enhancing bone development, controlling obesity and improving psychological health and immune status. School programs support students in making informed decisions about factors that may hinder or promote the wellbeing of themselves and others, and aim to nurture positive attitudes towards regular physical activity

Aim:To develop in each student the knowledge and understanding, skills and values and attitudes needed to lead a healthy, active and fulfilling lives

Objectives:Values and Attitudes • To develop students’ appreciation of and a commitment to healthy and socially just ways of living.

Skills• To develop skills in making, communicating and acting upon health decisions

Knowledge• To develop students’ knowledge and understanding about ways to enhance personal and community health and

wellbeing

Outcomes

(B.O.S. 2006)

In today’s society it is important that all individuals engage in living an active healthy lifestyle. The demands of contemporary living have raised many concerns at global, national and state levels in relation to developing public awareness of obesity, through educating individuals in how to lead a healthy lifestyle, and to promote a love for life-long physical activity.Through targeting obesity, our group intends to focus on Nutrition Education, along with preventative measures to achieve the development of the skills, knowledge and positive values and attitudes in leading a long healthy and active lifestyle.The program will not only aim to encourage children to be more active; engaging in vigorous physical activity to promote optimal health, but to ensure that they are well educated on the serious health issues related to obesity, and the preventative measures that can be taken to avoid illness and disease in later life.Additionally, we aim to inspire children and to nurture positive attitudes towards making healthy conscious decisions about the importance of balanced eating habits, including identifying food groups for good health and regular participation in physical activity.Furthermore, it is also important that we aim to develop children’s knowledge to be able to communicate with their parents, peers, and the wider community the values of Nutrition Education and preventive measures to pursue a well-informed quality life, which has been shaped by professional programing based on the foundations on the New South Wales K-6 PDHPE syllabus.

ES1Balanced eating

habitsFood choices for

good health Stage 3Nutritional needs across

lifespanEnergy intake/energy

expenditureVariety of food choices

Food preparation, storageSpecial needs/considerations

Salt/sugar intakeSaturated fats

Stage 2Balanced eating habits

Special needsIllness, e.g. diabetes,

heart diseaseCultural e.g. festivals

Fast food: a health choice

Digestive system

Stage 1Food groups

Balanced eating habits

Food choices for good health

Outcomes

PHES1.12Displays basic positivehealth practices

PHS1.12Recognises that positivehealth choices canpromote wellbeing

PHS2.12Discusses the factorsinfluencing personalhealth choices

PHS3.12Explains the consequencesof personal lifestylechoices

• Talks about different foods that keep them healthy

• Describes what people do to stay healthy, e.g. a balanced diet

• Discusses food needs for growth and physical activity

• Analyses personal food intake to identify the balance of choices made

• Uses draw or paint software to draw healthy food

• Recognises that a variety of food is needed for good health

• Identifies foods prepared and enjoyed by particular cultural groups

• Discusses how other people/media influence body image and food intake

• Identifies a range of foodstuffs and groups them according to their sources e.g. vegetable, meat, dairy, fruit

• Identifies different foods that can keep them healthy

• Identifies how climatic and cultural influences impact upon people’s health choices, e.g. food eaten

• Makes judgements on the reliability of information from different sources, e.g. food labels, advertising and websites

http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/phc/nut001a.htm

(B.O.S. 2006)

Our School Policy

Last updated: 20th July 2012Rational: Promotes physical activity whilst improving cardiovascular efficiency. Nutrition Education is an essential part of everyday life. Our school takes pride in working together to ensure that through professional staff development, students, parents and the community are well informed of our efforts to promote life-long healthy habits and activity.Aim: To ensure that all students have the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to lead healthy and active lives; while developing positive attitudes through school activities to reinforce healthy eating and good nutrition.Implementation: Students, staff, parents and community members work together to develop and enhance personal community health and well being. This is achieved by encouraging children to be more active, engaging in vigorous physical activity to promote optimal health and to ensure they are all well educated on the serious health issues related to obesity.Review: Beginning of every school semester.Definition: Vigorous physical activity- the intensity of a students exercise. Optimal health- physical, emotional and mental health abilities. Cardiovascular efficiency- how well you can distribute blood and oxygen through your body

Lawson Public School policy

At Lawson Public School we acknowledge that there are sensitive issues related to

obesity. These issues need to be attended to with care so that it can be managed

appropriately. This will be achieved by; Ensuring that the school provides a supportive environment that

accepts different ideas and values.Taking care when discussing terms of obesity, paying particular

attention to factual information and correcting any misleading information.

Adapting a range of teaching strategies to discuss a range of matters associated with obesity, that may be relatable to students lifestyles.

Providing opportunities for parents and caregivers to be involved or notified of guest speakers.

Procedures

Objective: As a result of the experience of this activity, students will come to a basic understand of the five main food groups, as it will encourage students to vary their diet amongst the five groups. Students will engage in and focus on nutrition education of this activity.

Equipment: One Set of Five Food Group Cards White Board and Markers Blu TackProcedure:1.Seat class on the floor facing the white board.2. Introduce the five main food groups by creating heading on the white

board. E.g. fruits and vegetables, grains, dairy, meats, fats and oils.3. Hand the Five Food Group cards out to the class so each student has at

least one. 4.Allow students to take turns in placing the card upon the white board

under the correct heading. E.g. Lettuce goes under the fruits and vegetables food group.

5. Assess each food group at the end and evaluate the nutrition and healthiness of each food .

6. Wrap up the activity with a whole class discussion.

PHS1.12Recognises that positivehealth choices canpromote wellbeing

A Selected Learning Activity: Food Group Concentration

07/12/12

Scope and SequenceEarly Stage One

Stage One (odd) Stage One (even)

Stage Two (odd)

Stage Two (even)

Stage Three (odd)

Stage Three (even)

Term One

PHES1.12Displays basic positivehealth practices.

GDES1.9Identifies how peoplegrow and change.

PHS1.12Recognises that positivehealth choices canpromote wellbeing.

COS1.1Communicatesappropriately in avariety of ways.

PHS2.12Discusses the factorsinfluencing personalhealth choices.

GDS2.9Describes life changesand associated feelings.

MOS3.4Refines and appliesmovement skillscreatively to avariety ofchallengingsituations.

COS3.3Communicatesconfidently in avariety of situations

PSS3.5Suggests, considersand selectsappropriatealternatives whenresolving problems

Term Two

GDS1.9Describes the characteristicsthat make them bothsimilar to others and unique.

COS2.1Uses a variety of waysto communicate withand within groups.

DMS2.2Makes decisions asan individual and asa group member.

ALS3.6Shows how tomaintain andimprove the qualityof an active lifestyle.

Scope and SequenceContinued

Term Three

ALES1.6Develops a repertoire ofphysical activities in whichthey can participate.

MOS1.4Demonstrates maturingperformance of basic movementand compositionalskills in a variety ofpredictable situations.

ALS2.6Discusses the relationshipbetween regular and variedphysical activity and health.

GDS3.9Explains anddemonstratesstrategies for dealingwith life changes.

Term Four

GSES1.8Demonstrates fundamentalmovement skills whileplaying with and sharingequipment.

ALS1.6Participates in physicalactivity, recognising thatit can be both enjoyableand important for health.

PHS3.12Explains theconsequences ofpersonal lifestylechoices.

Evaluation

Questions

AudioSchools play a particularly critical role by providing an environment that supports and provides learning opportunities to practice healthy eating and physical activity. The challenges when addressing the health priority of childhood obesity in primary school education include external factors such as parents/caregivers and sensitivity. One of the big challenges as educators is that we have little or no control over outside environments, we can educate the child but the parents/caregivers are ultimately the ones responsible for food preparation. Therefore, the challenge is how do we adapt physical activity and healthy eating habits outside of school. Many students receive conflicting messages in food and lifestyle choices. Furthermore, The ability of individuals to adopt a healthy lifestyle may be affected by the social and culture context in which they live. Part of the problem is that children don’t understand how eating habits relate to health.

Another challenge in addressing childhood obesity in primary school education is one of sensitivity. How do we address childhood obesity without children getting teased and /or prevent the negative attitudes of some parents/caregivers. Therefore, the challenge is how we eliminate the negativity from other children and the possibility labelling, teasing and bullying once a school addresses childhood obesity. Furthermore, how do we eliminate the negativity from parents/caregivers for example comments such as; my child isn’t fat, it’s medical, they will grow out of it, they can eat whatever they want.

Ultimately, health is a responsibility of all parts of society.

Do you believe schools can

assist students in taking

responsible action regarding

their own lifestyle and well being?

Do you believe young

students need clear guidance

concerning appropriate

health attitudes and behaviours?

Is there a current

childhood obesity

epidemic in Australia?

Is childhood obesity too sensitive an

issue?

Is childhoo

d obesity

a concern?

Will programs such as

Crunch & Sip assist in the reduction of childhood obesity?

Recommended

Resources

Crunch and Siphttp://www.crunchandsip.com.au/

Healthy Harold

www.healthyharold.org.au

Priority health

Areashttp://www.aihw.gov.au/health-priority-areas/

The Australian Guide to healthy

eatinghttp://www.health.gov.au/internet/healthyactive/publishing.nsf/Content/eating

Go for 2 & 5www.gofor2and5.com.au

PDHPE Curriculum Support

http://www.curriculumsupport.education.nsw.gov.au/primary/pdhpe/index.htm

Reference List • Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. (2012), ‘Obesity’, Retrieved on July 10th 2012 from:

http://www.aihw.gov.au/obesity-health-priority-area/• New South Wales Health (2007), ‘Crunch and Sip’, Retrieved on July 24th 2012 from:

www.health.nsw.gov.au/news/2007 • Be Skilled, Be Fit (2009), ‘School programs’, Retrieved on July 24th 2012 from:

http://www.beskilledbefit.com.au/School-Programs.aspx• Better Health Chanel. (2010), ‘Obesity’, Retrieved on July 10th 2012 from:

http://www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au/bhcv2/bhcarticles.nsf/pages/Obesity• Blue Mountains Gazette (2012), ‘Interactive: Obesity Map of the world’ Retrieved on July 10th

2012 from: http://www.bluemountainsgazette.com.au/specialfeature.aspx?id=6142• Board of Studies NSW. (1999). Personal Development, Health and Physical Education K-6

Syllabus, Sydney, Australia, B.O.S• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2012), ‘Overweight and Obesity’ and ‘Basics About

Childhood Obesity’, Retrieved on July 10th 2012 from: http://www.cdc.gov/obesity/adult/defining.html

• Medibank Private. (2010), ‘Obesity in Australia: financial impact and cost benefits intervention’, Retrieved on July 10th 2012 from: http://www.medibank.com.au/Client/Documents/Pdfs/Obesity_Report_2010.pdf

• Microsoft Clip Art images 2010• Monash Obesity and Diabeties Institute. (2012), ‘Obesity in Australia’, Retrieved on July 10th

2012 from: http://www.modi.monash.edu.au/obesity-facts-figures/obesity-in-australia/• Peeters. A., Magliano. D. (2012), ‘Mapping Australia’s Collective Weight Gain’, Retrieved on July

10th 2012 from: http://theconversation.edu.au/mapping-australias-collective-weight-gain-7816• The heart Foundation (2012), Jump rope for heart’, Retrieved on July 24th 2012 from:

http://www.heartfoundation.org.au/sites/jumpropeforheart/Pages/default.aspx• World Health Organisation. (2012), ‘Obesity and Overweight’, Fact Sheet No. 311, Retrieved on

July 10th 2012 from: http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs311/en/• Government of Western Australia Department of Health. (2005), 'Crunch and Sip', Retrieved July

12th 2012 from: http://www.crunchandsip.com.au/interface/controls/WhatIs/landing_WhatIs.asp