The Keys School Board passed improvements to their district wellness policy, a move that will impact the health of the over 700 students in the Cherokee County school district. The policy updates include promoting healthy food and beverage choices and appropriate beverage sizes and aligning health education curricula to the Oklahoma Academic Standards.
Two Keys High School Students participating in Elevate Student Health recommended updates to the district’s wellness policy based on evidence for what elements would have the greatest impact on youth and staff health.
Elevate Student Health is funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) through the Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL) program. Most children consume as much as half of their daily calories on campus, and so schools have a tremendous opportunity to improve the health of their students. This is why Elevate Student Health partners with districts across the state to improve their wellness policies through greater access to nutritious foods, increased physical activity and more opportunities to drink water throughout the day.
Data from the Oklahoma State Department of Health shows almost 18% of Oklahoma high school students are obese, one of the highest rates in the nation. While weight does not equal health, children with obesity are more likely to develop chronic health conditions such as cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes, mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression, lower self-esteem and self-reported lower quality of life. Physical inactivity and poor nutrition remain two of the leading behavioral risk factors for obesity. In Oklahoma, only 26.8 percent of high school students get the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity, and roughly 15 percent drink soda two or more times per day.
Vol Woods, superintendent of Keys Public Schools, said, “At Keys Public Schools, we believe student wellness is fundamental to academic success and lifelong well-being. By strengthening our wellness policy, we are reinforcing our commitment to supporting the whole child—physically, emotionally, and socially. We appreciate the leadership of our students and partners in helping us create a healthier school environment for all.”
###
Elevate Student Health is an initiative working to improve the health of Oklahoma youth through comprehensive physical activity and nutrition policies in schools. It is funded by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET). For more information, visit ElevateStudentHealth.com.
Youth Action for Health Leadership (YAHL), a program of the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET), is a statewide youth-led initiative that partners with schools and organizations to make meaningful and measurable impact on Oklahoma by promoting healthy behaviors. For more information, visit yahlok.org.
The Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) is building a healthier future for all Oklahomans. As a state grantmaking entity, TSET supports community programs, public health initiatives and research to prevent the leading causes of chronic disease. TSET grants and partnerships help to reduce tobacco use, improve nutrition, advance medicine and increase access to active, healthy living. Created by voters and funded by the Master Settlement Agreement, TSET is creating lasting change in schools, workplaces and communities across the state. Learn more at Oklahoma.gov/TSET.