November 5, 2008
GOVERNOR PATERSON AND FIRST LADY MICHELLE PAIGE PATERSON ANNOUNCE RELEASE OF ‘HEALTHY KIDS, HEALTHY NEW YORK AFTER-SCHOOL INITIATIVE’ TO HELP FIGHT CHILDHOOD OBESITY
Guidelines and Toolkit Incorporate Nutrition, Increased Physical Activity and Limited Screen Time into Children’s Daily Routines
Developed Through Public-Private Partnership
Governor David A. Paterson and First Lady Michelle Paige Paterson today announced the release of the Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative guidelines and toolkit that will help fight childhood obesity in New York’s schools by providing after-school programs with model guidelines. The guidelines are aimed at helping New York’s children acquire healthy habits by incorporating nutritional food options into diets, increasing physical activity, and limiting the amount of time spent in front of a television on a daily basis.
“Like the rest of the country, New York State is experiencing an epidemic of childhood obesity with one in four children in our State either overweight or obese,” said Governor Paterson. “Because so many children spend time in after-school programs, this is an ideal place to introduce improved nutrition and increased physical activity. These guidelines seek to improve the health and development of thousands of New York’s children so their futures can be brighter.”
“Not only do nutritious meals help keep our children healthy, studies have shown that nutrition plays a role in academic success,” said First Lady Paterson. “Students who eat well and exercise will learn and live well, too. The lessons we teach our children today about taking care of their bodies and minds will stay with them for a lifetime. My top priority as First Lady is to fight the epidemic of childhood obesity, and the Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative is one more way New York is pro-actively fighting this obesity crisis.”
The Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative guidelines and toolkit provide information, tips and recommendations to participating after-school programs in the areas of nutrition, physical activity and screen time. Nutritional guidelines were developed to be consistent with the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP) and the National School Lunch Program (NSLP) guidelines.
Nutrition
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- Serve nutritious snacks including: Low-fat or fat-free milk, vegetables and fruits, whole grain crackers, breads or cereals, water and items containing zero grams of trans fat;
- Provide food to children with special health care/nutrition needs that is consistent with their dietary needs; and
- Encourage staff to consume the same snacks served to children, in the same quantities, in order to model healthful eating.
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- Schedule at least 30 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity during each 3-hour block, half of that time spent outdoors;
- Develop programs that provide components that nurture lifelong, healthy habits, character development and enjoyment; and
- Promote active participation of staff in physical activity, rather than observation on the sidelines.
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- Limit television or recreational screen time (i.e. videos, DVDs, computers, portable electronic devices) to no more than 2.5 hours per 5-day week. Computer use for homework is exempted;
- Use programs that actively engage child movement most frequently; and
- Ensure that television programming, videos, DVDs, or computer programs are age-appropriate, non-violent and educational.
State Health Commissioner Richard F. Daines, M.D., said: “Changing the environment in which children learn and play will go a long way toward preventing childhood obesity. Children who eat a healthy diet, are physically active and limit television and other recreational screen time are more likely to maintain a healthy weight.”
Nancy Huehnergarth, Director of the New York State Healthy Eating and Physical Activity Alliance (NYSHEPA), said: “By implementing these model after-school guidelines, providers will impact our state’s economic health as well. Overweight children have higher rates of obesity-related diseases like diabetes and high blood pressure, and need more frequent and expensive medical care.”
Funding for the development of the Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative was provided by the National Governors Association, and were developed collaboratively by the Governor’s office, the New York State Department of Health (DOH), the New York State Office of Children and Family Services, NYSHEPA, major providers of after-school programming, the New York State Alliance of Boys and Girls Clubs, the YMCAs of New York State, the American Cancer Society, the New York State Parent Teacher Association, and the New York State School Boards Association.
The Healthy Kids, Healthy New York After-School Initiative guidelines and toolkit will be distributed to after-school programs throughout the school year. Licensed after-school providers that implement the guidelines can apply to receive formal recognition from the Governor’s Office in the spring.
More information about the guidelines and toolkit, as well as the Governor’s Recognition Program can be found on the DOH web site (www.nyhealth.gov) and NYSHEPA’s website (www.nyshepa.org).
