Responses

Shirley Schantz, a nurse affiliated with the National Association of School Nurses (NASN), deals with the issue of childhood obesity within their organization. We asked her a few questions and below are her responses. She was a great help to us in identifying ways that nurses can get involved with this issue!

Q:How do you think that school nurses specifically can play a role in the school environment educating children on the importance of healthy lifestyle choices and physical activity?

A:School nurses have an intimate and credible relationship with students and families and have the knowledge and skills related to nutrition and physical activity. They are the health experts in the schools. For some students school nurses are the only access to health care. The number of students with asthma and diabetes (type 1 and 2) are increasing, making the school nurse even more vital.

Q:Do you think it is possible to fight the issue of childhood obesity solely by promoting physical activity and healthy lifestyle choices, or it is an issue that must be dealt with in many aspects of life, and not just through the school systems.

A:Childhood obesity is a public health problem, not just a school or home problem. Changes have to made in the home, school, community, primary health care and the environment. Students spend about ½ of their waking hours in school, so school is important, but other things have to be addressed. Proximity of grocery stores to buy healthy foods, safe places to play and walk and a recognition from primary health care that this needs to be addressed with parents. Changes need to take place at a practice and policy level. We have to look at prevention policies and intervention practices, both at the same time.