Health Initiatives for Ottumwa Elementary Schools

Problem/Situation Statement:
At a meeting of the Ottumwa Public School elementary nurses the following health concerns of elementary students were identified:

•  45% of students had weight problems

•  an increase in bone fractures due to decrease in calcium intake

•  an increase in the incidence of diabetes

•  an increase in the number of children with elevated cholesterol – leading to heart disease

Response:
The nurses developed a mission statement: To improve nutrition intake of our students.

Contact was made with the local Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist who shared nutrition resources with the nurses. The nurses chose to adapt and send the Nibbles newsletter (TEAM nutrition) home to parents of all elementary students. Displays containing Extension Nutrition resources for parents were available at parent teacher conferences. In the Elementary Handbook for 2004 – 2005 the following was included:

•  No pop at school

•  No candy or pop used as rewards in the classroom

•  Room parents are to work with teachers to provide appropriate quantity and healthy choice of food for parties and birthdays

•  No candy, cotton candy, pop etc. to be sold for room or after school fundraisers

•  No sugared cereals at breakfast

•  Vending machines to be plugged in only at the end of the school day

Impact:
Because of their interest in the nutritional status of the elementary school children in Ottumwa, the school nurses partnered with the Area Education Agency and the Extension service to plan an inservice for all school nurses and school dietary managers within AEA 15. The focus of the inservice presented by the state Extension Nutrition and Health Specialist was to examine and become familiar with the new mandate for each school district to have a school wellness policy in place by June 30, 2005. As a result of the inservice, nurses are taking an active/leadership role in the development of school wellness committees.

Contact:
Barbara Anderson
Family Nutrition and Health Specialist
Wapello County Extension Office
101 North Court
Ottumwa, Iowa 52501
Phone 641-682-5491; Fax 641- 682-5148
Email bjanders@iastate.edu