Secretary of Health Visits Two 'Active Schools' in Southeast Pennsylvania to Recognize their Commitment to Daily Physical Activity

HARRISBURG, Pa., May 24 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Secretary of Health Everette James today visited Conrad Weiser Middle School in Berks County and Cedarbrook Middle School in Montgomery County to commend students and teachers for their yearlong commitment to exercising for 30 minutes every school day.

"It is great to see the improvement these students have made in their levels of fitness and to hear how it has benefited them," said James. "These schools are demonstrating that when the health of students is made a top priority, scheduling at least 30 minutes of physical activity every day can be done. In addition, they are confirming the research that tells us physically active kids perform better in school."

James was joined by Joe Torsella, Chair of the Pennsylvania State Board of Education, and Dr. George Graham, Chair of the Governor's Advisory Council for Physical Fitness and Sports, as he presented a plaque to the schools for their implementation of evidence-based physical activity programs through the Active Schools program. Individual students were also recognized for improvements made in fitness assessments and talked about how the program has benefited them.

Philadelphia Eagles players attended the Cedarbrook Middle School event to show support and help celebrate the students' accomplishments.

Each middle school received one of 40 Active School grants awarded by the Department of Health through the federal Preventive Health and Health Services Block Grant. Schools received a $5,000 grant from the department and an additional $10,000 from one of five supporting organizations. The program requires schools to assess all participating students and to implement evidence-based physical activities that meet federal guidelines.

Schools were selected for participation based on their commitment to provide a health and fitness curriculum that adds 30 to 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity every day. According to a recent survey, only about 38 percent of the state's middle school students get that amount of daily activity.  

James pointed out that physical activity is essential for all children to develop healthy hearts, strong bones and sharp minds. Combined with good nutrition, physical activity is also important to address the childhood obesity epidemic. Childhood obesity rates have tripled in the last 25 years. Overweight children face an increased risk of health problems as adolescents and adults, including diabetes, coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoarthritis and certain types of cancer.

Obesity is more than a health risk; it also contributes significantly to the cost of treating chronic diseases which are responsible for at least 70 percent of all health expenditures. A 2009 study found obese Americans – those who are 30 or more pounds over a healthy weight – cost the nation an estimated $147 billion in weight-related medical bills in 2008, double what it was ten years prior.

Capital Blue Cross provided funding to Conrad Weiser Middle School and is also providing funds for nine other participating schools. Independence Blue Cross provided funding to Cedarbrook Middle School and is also providing funds for nine other participating schools.

"We're very grateful for the support of both Capital Blue Cross and Independence Blue Cross and the other organizations that have joined as full community partners in this important effort," said James. "Support from community organizations plays a key role in the health of our children."

The State Board of Education voted this month to advance new physical activity standards that would require all schools to provide 30 minutes of physical activity to all students every day. For more information on the proposed regulations, visit the Department of Education online at www.education.state.pa.us.  

For more information on the Active Schools Grant Program, visit the Department of Health online at www.health.state.pa.us.  

Media contact:  Holli Senior, 717-787-1783

SOURCE Pennsylvania Department of Health