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More than 40% of New York City children in elementary schools and Head Start programs are overweight or obese. Many serious health problems are related to being overweight or obese, such as asthma, depression, diabetes and heart disease. If not addressed, childhood obesity can lead to serious health problems in adulthood. Age-appropriate physical activity in childhood is necessary for proper growth and development. Despite known benefits of physical activity, many children have little physical activity during the school day.
Private funding through the Fund for Public Health in New York (FPHNY) introduced school-based physical activity led by parents in 12 schools in NYC neighborhoods where rates of obesity are particularly high: Harlem, South Bronx, and Central Brooklyn. Children were encouraged to engage in physical activity through school-based sessions held during recess and before and after school. Sessions were organized by Parent Activity Coordinators (PACs) recruited from each school's parent population. The program provided participating schools with essential tools such as playground improvements, equipment, and training for PACs to facilitate active, safe and healthy play at school.
Overall, the PACs facilitated an additional 1600 hours of structured physical activity for students at schools. PACs were creative in the changes they made to the school environment; one PAC started an intramural basketball league, another started a walking club and at one school the PAC was instrumental in writing school policy that prohibits taking recess away as a punishment. The success of this program demonstrates the importance and effectiveness of building the capacity to lead physical activity into existing resources. Toward this objective, the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is currently expanding SPARK (Sports, Play and Active Recreation for Kids) in schools and day care settings throughout NYC, which trains staff in effective methods of facilitating physical activity for children.
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