The overall health and well-being of B.C. students is improving, thanks to efforts such as Healthy Schools and ActNow BC, but schools still need more help in making sure students are active, healthy members of society.
These were some of the findings by provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall who released his report last week entitled "An Ounce of Prevention Revisited: a review of health promotion and selected outcomes for children and youth in B.C."
According to Kendall, schools found that a majority of students and youth in B.C. rate their health and well-being quite highly. Fewer students than ever are smoking. Alcohol and cannabis use have decreased since 1998 and fewer young teens are engaged in sexual activity. Less favourable indicators for health include the number of overweight or obese students, the percentage of those who suffer from anxiety disorders, the increasing incidence of sexually transmitted infections and cyber-bullying. Kendall's report explores how schools can work effectively to influence the health and well-being of young British Columbians. Some of his recommendations in the report include: developing a provincial-level report card that would evaluate whether school health promotion activities are working, introducing a keeping healthy and responsible decision-making course for Grade 12 students, increasing early learning opportunities and support for at-risk students and promoting mental health.
These are all great ideas - ideas that government at all levels needs to get behind.
Here on the Sunshine Coast, School District No. 46 and all our schools are doing a pretty good job of promoting healthy schools. Athletics are a huge component, as is the need to get kids active in other ways. Whether it's on the playground at lunch time or in regular gym classes, teachers are promoting the benefits of a healthy lifestyle.
Our schools and parent advisory councils are pushing healthy eating and trying to get vending machines out of our schools, pushing healthy options instead of sugar-laden sodas and salty snack treats. The Sunshine Coast has embraced the ActNow B.C. initiative and all that it has to offer. These are all positive strides, but more is certainly needed.
The province has to step up to the plate, put Kendall's recommendations into practice and provide the necessary funding to our schools and our school district so they can continue on this path towards a healthier community.
