Public Health DPA Support

1. Public Health DPA Support PARC Conference Feb 6, 2006 Louisa Barei Snowie, BScN York Region Health Services

2. Content • Mandatory Core – Physical Activity • Child and Youth Health • Health Benefits • Impact on Learning • What Motivates Youth to be Physically Active • Best Practice – ‘Healthy Schools’ • Professional Support – PAP Network • DPA Support Models – Hastings & Prince Edward Counties, York Region, others • Summary and questions/discussion

3. Mandatory Core Guidelines - Public Health - Physical Activity Under the Chronic Disease Prevention Standard: The following behavioural and policy objectives are aimed at achieving the above-stated disease objectives: l. to increase to 60 per cent the proportion of youth who include at least 30 mins of accumulated, moderate physical activity on most if not all days of the week by the year 2010 m. to increase the proportion of children who are active Requirements and Standards #7. The board of health shall work with municipal recreation departments and other community partners to promote and increase access to regular physical activity for people of all ages. This should include a minimum: • provide, on an ongoing basis, information to the public through the use of television, radio, pamphlets, posters, presentations on the health benefits of regular physical activity • promote, on an ongoing basis, the availability of opportunities for physical activity • assist community partners to increase the availability of safe and accessible recreation opportunities such as walking trails and cycling routes • promote and assist in the development of policies that increase access to regular physical activity in the community

4. #9. The board of health shall work with all schools and school boards to implement health promotion programming. Topics that must be included are: tobacco-free living, healthy eating, healthy weights and regular physical activity. This shall include as a minimum: a) provide assistance and consultation to school boards, school advisory councils and principals/teachers to review and implement health-related curricula on all the above topics as requested b) promote and provide teachers from all schools an opportunity to attend 2 hours of continuing education annually on one or more of the above-mentioned topics c) provide ongoing consultation and development and review of learning materials for school boards, students advisory councils and school staff throughout the year on all of the above-mentioned topics d) support the implementation of a variety of activities in schools on an ongoing basis. This will include: student-led school wide initiatives, peer education, peer support groups and annual awareness events on any of the above topics. #10. The board of health shall with school boards, school advisory councils, prinicipals/teachers and parents to develop and implement guidelines that support healthy eating and regular physical activity. This shall include as a minimum: • promote the need for guidelines for healthy eating and daily physical activity with all school boards and all schools on an annual basis • provide information, consultation and support to establish guidelines which encourage daily physical activity for all students through balanced instructional programs, intramural activities and interschool athletics and skill development for lifelong active living.

5. Child and Youth Health Some Barriers to Physical Activity for children and youth • Lack of daily H & PE in schools • Exploded Screen use - obsession • Inactive transportation • Safety concerns outside home and school • Reduced Accessibility to low cost activities • Dual income families – balancing home and work • Single parent families • ….. Results: “Prevalence of childhood obesity in Canada has increased between 300-500 percent… increase in TV watching, video games and Internet use also suggests that Canada may be a world leader in the childhood obesity epidemic (Dr Mark Tremblay)

6. Health Benefits of PA • Improves aerobic capacity, muscular strength, body agility and coordination, metabolic functioning, • Improves bone density, lipid profiles, insulin levels and immune function • Reduces diabetes, obesity (CDC, 1996) • Children who are physically active are more likely to stay physically active for the rest of their lives (Health Canada, 2002) • PA is vital to the growth and development of children and youth (CAPHERD, 1996) • PA is consistently related to improved self-esteem and body image (Tremblay and Wilms, 2000) • …

7. ‘DPA in Action’ RelayIncorporating Active Content

8. Physical Activity Impact on Learning • Studies demonstrate the positive effects of daily physical activity has on performance and academic achievement in terms of memory, observation, problem-solving and decision-making as well as significant improvements in attitudes, discipline, behaviour and creativity (Keays and Allison, 1995, The Effects of Regular Moderate to Vigorous Physical Activity on Student Outcomes:A review. Canadian Journal of Public Health. Vol 86, No 1) • Physical activity stimulates the production of dopamine, creates stronger nerve connection and releases endorphins into the system. Aerobic exercise increases blood supply to the brain. All of the these factors set the stage for learners to maximize academic achievement (Jenson, 2000) • Physical activity improves self-esteem, enhances psychological well-being, overcomes boredom and provides positive leisure pursuits (Canadian Fitness and Lifestyle Research Institute, 1997) • Physical well-being of has a direct impact on their ability to achieve academically (California study, 2002,www.cde.ca.gov/news/releases2002)

9. What Motivates Youth to be Physically Active • Enjoyment • Development of competency in physical skills – gain confidence • Social acceptance – make new friends and gain acceptance from their peers (Research Digest, 2000) Steps for Success • Youth need to be part of the solution – active participants in process of changing their behaviour. Build awareness of their activity level – record PA for a set time • Set goals for themselves – short and long term • Supported with specific feedback and encouragement from parents, teachers, role models, coaches • Frequent Commitment checks • Recognition and celebration of successes (Adapted from Health Canada, PA Guide to Healthy Active Living: Teachers Guide to PA for Children 6-9 years of age, 2002)

10. Best Practice Model for Public Health Comprehensive School Health or Healthy Schools • ‘Healthy Schools’ provide children with an opportunity to experience positive role models, healthy food choices, physical activity and positive student-teacher bonds. • Includes a broad spectrum of activities and services that take place in school and surrounding communities enabling children and youth to enhance their health, develop to their fullest potential and establish productive and satisfying relationships in their present and future lives (Canadian Association for School Health) • Utilizes 4 strategies: • Instruction about Health • Support Services from the community • Social Support • Healthy Physical Environment “Healthy Schools, Healthy Kids!”

11. Public Health School–based Physical Activity Promoter Interest Group • Summer/Fall 2005 - Started distribution list to share resources and ideas of PA promotion in schools – great interest and some sharing began • Attended CEPAP meeting – many common interests – planned to meet Dec 9th to discuss PA promotion and DPA support • Invited all Ontario PH PA Promoters to participate – terrific response 19 Health units participated (in person and teleconference) • Agenda included updates from: OPHEA/PARC on DPA, CHNET-works, CAPHERD, Ontario PA Promoters Network and main topic PH DPA support discussion (Minutes available if interested) • Lots of support and interest for DPA – major barrier – public health units structured differently through out the province

12. Main themes – supporting DPA • Communication – accurate and timely DPA information sharing (OPHEA, PARC, Activitalk, Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition, CAPHERD…) • PAP Network – join with provincial group to strengthen voice for PA in Ontario • Advocacy – working with school boards, school leaders and community to enhance DPA awareness and sustainability • Research – knowledgeable and advocate for PA research • Supporting Parents and community in DPA implementation

13. These are guiding principles that could be incorporated into the school service models of the various health units: 1. Assessment - Take a "customer service" approach to provision of services. I.e. consult with schools, boards etc; assess needs first. 2. Offer a "menu" of choices, ie DPA workshops. These options would reflect the health unit's services, programs etc, but could also include other consultants etc, and may not be limited to physical activity. 3. Promote a Health Promoting Schools, or Comprehensive School Health Process approach.  (This is a recommended practice) Intensity can vary, but it advocates for collective planning and problem solving among key stakeholders (at school level, and/or at board level) Teachers involvement is critical to success! 4. Promote the value of school physical activity to parents and the broader community 5. Buy in - Frame Daily Physical Activity in terms of what is important for schools (e.g. attendance, behaviour, attention to task). (Adapted from Anne Ostrom, PHN,Thunder Bay District Health Unit)

14. Successful DPA Partnership Models • Hastings & Prince Edward Counties Health Unit – Jennifer Ronan, PHN • York Region Health Services, Louisa Barei Snowie, PHN (framework and Fitness Ambassadors) • Others…

15. Healthy Schools – Physical Activity To improve the health of students and enhance learning, York Region Health Services strongly recommends that each school forms a ‘Healthy Schools’ Committee. Support is offered in the following four areas related to Health Schools.