May 28, 2009 3 min read

Albert Gallatin School District is the state’s biggest loser. It might not sound like a good thing, but much like the television show of the same name, being the state’s biggest loser is quite the accomplishment. It was announced this week that district students’ body mass measurements fell more than any other district in the state, by 21 percent, in the two years since the district implemented a health and wellness plan. As such, the district got a visit Tuesday from State Health Secretary Everette James and Education Secretary Dr. Gerald Zahorchak, who commended the district’s successful physical education and nutrition programs. They also took the occasion to announce a new Active Schools grants program in which middle schools can apply for $15,000 grants to implement physical activity programs that Zahorchak said he hopes will allow other district’s to follow in Albert Gallatin’s footsteps.

We commend the district for being tops in the state and recognize the proactive efforts of the district that played a big role in the big loss: removing fried foods and pop from its cafeterias and vending machines while looking for ways to increase students’ physical activity.

District students, parents and officials should be proud to receive such high praise from the state’s top health and education officials – and for all they’ve accomplished.

While the district has proved that schools can play an active role in our children’s health, we feel in the end it comes down to parents. Far too often, kids are anchored to their couches, watching television or playing video games, instead of being outside and active. Instead, parents need to be proactive in getting their kids up and out.

Some parents might feel that a kid at home is out of trouble or danger, but a sedimentary lifestyle puts that child at risk. Children who are not physically active are at higher risk for Type II diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, arthritis and some cancers. More than one-third of school-aged children are overweight or obese, based on recent data.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends children ages 6-17 should engage in one hour of physical activity each day. Most of that time should be spent doing either moderate- or vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity. It should include muscle-strengthening and bone-strengthening activity at least three days per week.

But, according to Zahorchak, children spend twice as much time in front of video games and TV screens as they do exercising and only 38 percent of the state’s middle school students get the recommended amount of activity.

Parents have to find a way to keep their kids active, whether it’s youth baseball and softball, dance studios or just playing in the park. Their school can play a part, as Albert Gallatin has proved, but it’s up to a child’s parents to make sure they’re up and active – so they don’t end up down and out.