Source 4: taking charge of school wellness

"Taking Charge of School Wellness" is an article written by David Satcher. He was the U.S. general surgeon in 2001, and has created the Surgeon Generals call to Action to Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity. This article is his way to explain the importance behind this action he has taken. First, Satcher provides evidence that the United States has created an unhealthy start to the 21st century. He then goes on to share why everyone is increasingly overeating, and eating the wrong foods, while becoming less physically active. Promoting physical health in schools has great evidence that shows children will participate more in class and will perform their best. Satcher goes on to explain the research supporting the benefits of physical activity in schools, and then wraps up the article by showing some real life examples of success stories here in our country. Overall we need to work together and promote student health, and that is what David Satcher is telling us throughout this article.
I found this article on Wilson Web, and it comes from a magazine titled: Educational Leadership. David Satcher is the author of the article, and is a very reputable source. He was the Surgeon General for the United States in 2001, and has created an action plan to reduce the obesity in our country. Satcher also uses very reliable resources when giving facts and sharing information that does not come from himself. In 2010 this article was reproduced with permission, however, the geographical location that it was written is not given. There is somewhat of a bias towards the political and cultural aspects. Satcher blames our culture of unhealthy habits for teaching children how to live the way they are today. He also mentions that congress had developed an Act in 2006, that funded school meal programs to develop local wellness policies. Unfortunately, there are still many gaps to address in the effort, and things are moving slowly. Some of the sources that the author uses to back up his information include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Action for Healthy Kids, the Center on Hunger, Poverty, and Nutrition Policy, the National Governors Association, the National Institute for Heath Care Management Foundation, and his own knowledge that comes from serving as Surgeon General in the U.S. Primary research is mainly used, due to the facts, data and observations shared in the article. The intended audience is probably adults and children in America, as well as the public schools. Main points include: An unhealthy start to the 21st century, why we should promote physical health in schools, the gains and gaps that are occurring, and some of the innovative ways schools are promoting health to the students. Some of the facts shared are: 1. between 1980 and 2000 the sharp rate of obesity became the leading cause of preventable death in the U.S., 2. more than 30% of children ages 2-19 in the U.S. are overweight or obese, 3. 62% of children ages 9-13 do not participate in any organized physical activity during non school hours. 4. only 4% of elementary schools offer daily physical education throughout the academic year, 5. data from a 2-year study shows heath related physical educations significantly improved academic achievement. Information in the article touched on all the areas and aspects necessary to explain the reasons why physical activity is important for children. I don't think any information was left out. Various points of view are not shown in the article, only the views of the author, and those who support him. Overall, the only questions that I have would be: why don't we have stricter school policies regarding exercise/diet? and What are parents doing to enforce these school policies?