It could be hopscotch or kickball or a rousing game of Ring-Around-The-Rosie, but whatever it is, the waistlines of Mississippi schoolchildren are slimming down.
A new report released by the Center of Mississippi Health Policy suggests the state’s uphill battle against obesity is making headway among elementary students.
The report shows a dramatic drop in the combined prevalence of overweight and obesity among elementary students, from 43 percent in 2005 to 37.3 percent in 2011.
“This is a major shift in direction after decades of steady increases in rates of obesity among the state’s children,” the report reads.
Among K-12 students, there was a 5.8 percentage point drop in overweight and obesity among white students, but rates remained stable among black students. Overall, K-12 students saw a 3 percentage point drop.
Serenity Luckett, principal of Brown Elementary School in Jackson, said the school’s latest effort could curb obesity even more.
Brown Elementary, as well as six other Jackson elementary schools, are part of the Playworks initiative, a national nonprofit that provides healthy play and physical activity throughout the school day. Now in its first year, Playworks reaches about 3,000 Jackson students.
Luckett said Playworks revived recess at Brown and other partner schools. At Brown, recess ranges from 15 to 20 minutes.
Playworks also formed a fall intramural girls’ basketball league and a spring intramural boys’ and girls’ volleyball league at its partner schools.
“It’s not just about play; it’s about self-esteem, self-confidence and how to treat your body,” Luckett said.
In addition to recess and intramural sports, Playworks also sets aside “class game time” to teach students about physical activity and violence prevention and safety principles, said Lakisha Winters, a Playworks program associate based in Jackson.
“Play is something that’s becoming lost among our children, so this program helps create a playful environment for children to grow physically, emotionally and socially,” Winters said.
Winters also said Playworks strives to preserve playground games that have taken a back seat to video games, computers and television.
Classic recess games like four square, jump rope and freeze tag are making a slow but steady comeback.
“These are games that were once predominantly found on playgrounds,” Winters said. “We want to pass these games down to our children.”
The new report also cites “considerable progress” in school lunch programs. Though more schools have moved away from fried foods, the report says lunch programs need more consistency in serving fresh fruit and vegetables and whole grains.
Mary Hill, executive director of food services at Jackson Public Schools, said the district has been vigilant in reducing sodium and sugar intake, as well as serving whole-grain breads, baked meats, low-fat dressings and “salads of the day.” Madison and Rankin county schools also have made similar changes.
Hill’s hope is school eating habits will spill over into the home, with students suggesting healthier options to parents.
“When children are exposed to more healthy options at a younger age, they’re more likely to change their eating habits,” Hill said. “Once they hit middle and high school, it’s too late.”
The report revealed there had been little change in healthy habits at home. Despite parents’ good intentions, family eating and physical activity remained stagnant.
Research showed vegetable consumption at the home is decreasing while soda consumption is increasing.
Mississippi has consistently ranked among the top states with the highest rates of child obesity, which can lead to higher risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, stroke and depression.
