benefits, bonding and behaviours why should my school become a health promoting school…
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Benefits, Bonding and Behaviours
Why should my school become a Health Promoting School…..
What does a Health Promoting School look like?
The whole school community is working towards a positive learning and working
environment that supports the link between health and education
Student leadership
Embedded in curriculum
School connectedness
Social environment
Physical environment
Evidence-based practice
Healthy eating
Physical activity
championscommunity
home
How does it work?
Comprehensive School Health Comprehensive School Health
Where is it working?School and Provincialregional level policyactivity platformswithin Alberta across
Canada
International – examples include:• National Healthy School Status – England • South Australia, a deliberate policy for comprehensive school health
is coming together
Why does it work?
Multifaceted approach
1. Physical activity
2. Healthy eating
3. Mental wellbeing
1. Physical Activity
Physical activity plays an important role in facilitating learning and academic performance.
Active Healthy Kids Canada – Report Card on Physical Activity for Children and Youth Overview, 2009,
www.activehealthykids.ca
Why Physical Activity in Schools?
87% of Canadian children/youth are NOT meeting the recommended 90 minutes of physical activity a day
Children and youth spend
roughly 40% of their day in school
Physical Activity and Academic Achievement
When the time is taken away from other subjects, physical education and physical activity do not negatively affect academic achievement but have positive effects on
learning and academic performance
Physical Activity and Academic Achievement
Physical fitness and active living have positive effects on academic performance, including:
• academic readiness• achievement in math tests• reading• perceptual skills
Physical Activity and Behaviour
Physical inactivity is associated with emotional and behavioural problems in adolescents.
Physical activity impacts upon numerous mental health outcomes including anxiety, depression and rule-breaking behaviour.
Physical Activity & Health Benefits
Physical inactivity in children and youth has been directly linked to increased incidence of :
hypertensionmetabolic syndrome blood pressurediabetesCVD risk factors
Physical activity is associated with decreased susceptibility to smoking
among youth.
Active living is positively associated with self-esteem, whereas sedentary behaviour is negatively associated
with self-esteem.
2. Healthy Eating
Healthy Eating and Academic Achievement
• An adequate diet that provides a wide variety of foods is positively associated with academic performance.
• fruit and vegetable intake and intake of fat is positively associated with academic performance.
Healthy Eating and Behaviour
Virtually all behavioural, emotional and academic problems are more prevalent in hungry children
Community Childhood Hunger Identification Project
Healthy Eating and Health Benefits
The socioeconomic benefits of positive educational attainment carry a child forth into their adult life:• incidence of chronic disease• incidence of obesity
There are consistent research findings that show that children who are overweight have poorer levels of academic achievement
3. Mental Well-being
Mental Health defined
“A state of well-being in which the individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and fruitfully, and is able to make a contribution to his or her community.”
World Health Organization (WHO)
“Striking a balance in all aspects of your life: social, physical, spiritual, economic and mental.”
Canadian Mental Health Association
How can schools contribute to positive mental health?
School connectedness influences mental health
Youth who do not have a sense of school belonging are more likely to experience emotional distress, thoughts of suicide
and substance use problems.
School connectedness influences mental health
Among younger teens, a high level of school connectedness is related to fewer depressive symptoms over time.
School Connectedness defined
the extent to which youth perceive positive support or caring from individuals adults in their school setting
School Connectedness defined
“When young people consistently receive empathy, attention and praise at school they feel a sense of belonging and support that is the spring board for healthy growth and development”
Whitlock, 2003
School Connectedness and Academic Achievement
• A school connected environment increases the likelihood of academic success
• Vulnerable youth who feel connected are more likely to:
• report good or excellent health• do well in school • continue with school past grade 12.
School Connectedness and Behaviour
School connectedness is an important factor in reducing the likelihood that teens will engage in health-compromising behaviours:
• smoking• substance abuse• violence• high risk sexual behaviours• suicide
School Connectedness and Behaviour
If students feel connected to their school they are less likely to skip school or be involved in bullying behaviour or vandalism.
School Connectedness and Health Benefits
• self-esteem, self-confidence and self-image
• in negative risk behaviours
• or prevention of anxiety and depression
There are lots of reasons for your school to become a health promoting school!
Need help to get started?
Ever Active Schools
VisionAlberta students live, learn and play in
healthy, active school communities.
Mission StatementEver Active Schools facilitates the
development of healthy children and youth by fostering social and physical environments that support healthy, active school communities.
How can Ever Active Schools help you become a
Health Promoting School?
SupportsProfessional Development
WorkshopsSpecial Events: HASS 09Resource Development
ImplementationHATS, Action PlansSuccess Stories and Sharing
CommunicationWebsiteEverACTIVE! NewsletterMember Updates
ResearchDistrict implementation model (Battle River Project)Updates and latest studies
Support and Expertise
Director / ResearchDirector / [email protected]
Admin [email protected]@everactive.org
The Journey Continues…
www.everactive.org