Healthy Investments in Tri-County's Schools and Communities

Students in the tri-county area will have more healthy food choices and opportunities to be physically active, thanks to a $12,500 investment from the province. The grant was provided to the Tri-County Regional School Board to support schools in becoming Health Promoting Schools.

"The Health Promoting Schools program is a perfect example of everyone working together to benefit the health of our children in their school community," said Health Promotion and Protection Minister Barry Barnet. "This grant is making it possible in Tri-County's schools."

Health Promoting Schools involves a range of programs, activities, and services that take place in school communities. The program is designed not only to affect the health of individual students, but also to make the places where children live and learn, healthier.

Research shows that combining healthy eating and physical activity is the most successful way to promote healthy living. Schools are recognized as an ideal setting to promote healthy eating and physical activity.

With the grant, the school board's plans include creating community partnerships to develop action plans. Assessment tools will be used to evaluate elementary school students to understand what is needed for an overall improvement in active living and nutrition.

"We are only at the beginning stages in comparison to other health promoting schools," said Stephen Cullen, co-ordinator of active healthy living for Tri-County school board. "But as we continue to work with community partners, we can already visualize how these initiatives will have a huge impact on student health."

The school board's existing sport animator and active healthy-living consultant will work together to support the implementation of the new programs and activities. They will have support from South West Health's additional public health nutritionists, funded as part of the Healthy Eating Nova Scotia strategy. Families, health professionals, educators, schools, community organizations and young people must all work together to create a successful health promoting school.

Recent data from Statistics Canada shows that 32 per cent of Nova Scotia children and youth are overweight or obese, which is above the national average. The benefits of Health Promoting Schools are far reaching -- from improving student health and school environments to improving student success at learning. Schools that promote a healthy lifestyle can also empower young people to take responsibility for their health, show pride in their school and take ownership of school policies.