Kansas legislators approved funding for continuation of the Kansas Coordinated School Health program. This program provides local school districts with the resources they need to create healthier school environments and combat childhood obesity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kansas Coordinated School Health? Using an eight-component strategy, KCSH provides Kansas school districts with the resources they need to implement a local plan to improve children’s health. Each district is able to tailor a program unique to their community’s needs, whether that be improved nutrition, increased physical activity, or enhanced health education. KCSH has already impacted more than 80,000 children in 43 Kansas school districts by providing those communities with the resources to develop healthier school environments.
Why is the school environment critical?
Children spend much of their day — and consume nearly half of their daily calories — in a school setting. That’s why it’s important for our schools to have the opportunity to create an environment that reinforces good habits being taught at home by Kansas parents.
When children learn to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine and how to eat nutritiously, they perform better in school . . . they feel more capable and confident . . . and they are more likely to become healthy and prosperous adults. Childhood obesity is considered an epidemic in our communities and across the nation. We know that a local approach - like Kansas Coordinated School Health - is most effective in addressing this epidemic, and in improving the lives of our next generation.
Why is KCSH Important?
Will an apple a day keep the doctor away?An apple a day is still the first step. But, in a changing society, it takes more than a daily allowance of fruit to help kids grow up healthy.
Today, childhood obesity poses one of the greatest threats to the health and well-being of our next generation. In Kansas, 1 in every 3 of our children are overweight or obese. These children are more likely to be diagnosed with diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol and other problems that were previously considered adult medical issues. Childhood onset of such medical issues not only affects our health care system and the potential of our next generation, but ultimately affects the future prosperity of our state.
There’s a local approach that’s working to help communities across Kansas create more healthy school environments where children can establish the nutrition and exercise habits that will lay the foundation for their future health and prosperity. Through Kansas Coordinated School Health, we can give all Kansas children the opportunity to grow up in a healthier environment.
Resources on Healthy Schools
Kansas Coordinated School Health
KAC Policy Brief: Healthy Schools
List of Current KCSH-Participating Schools
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - Healthy Youth
Kids Health
Alliance for a Healthier Generation
