A coordinated school health program approach to adolescent obesity

Obesity has become one of this country's most significant nutritional diseases. The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has steadily increased over the past 20 years. The risk of developing health problems increases as the obese child becomes an obese adolescent and adult. The 1997 Youth Risk Behavior Survey reports adolescents participate in behaviors that put them at risk for obesity. The recognition of these unhealthy behaviors among our youth has led to the need for early intervention. The Coordinated School Health Program is a mechanism to address adolescent obesity at the school-age level. This program includes an organized set of policies, procedures, and activities intended to protect and promote the health and well-being of students and staff. The eight components of a Coordinated School Health Program (CSHP) include school health services, a healthy school environment, comprehensive school health education, counseling and guidance, physical education, food service, worksite health promotion, and the integration of school and community. This paper describes integration of prevention and treatment strategies for adolescent obesity for each of the eight components of a CSHP.