Safe Routes to School Resolution

Safe Routes to School Resolution

2011

WHEREAS, childhood obesity rates have more than tripled in the last 30 years;

WHEREAS, 18.9 percent of children in the State of MT are overweight or obese;

WHEREAS, overweight adolescents have a 70 percent chance of becoming overweight or obese adults;

WHEREAS, overweight children and adults are at greater risk for numerous adverse health consequences, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, certain cancers, asthma, low self-esteem, depression, and other debilitating diseases;

WHEREAS, healthy eating and physical activity are among the most effective interventions for the prevention and treatment of obesity and other chronic diseases;

WHEREAS, most American youth do not meet the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s recommendation of at least 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous activity every day;

WHEREAS, participation in daily physical education has declined over the past two decades, and few schools provide daily physical education or its equivalent for the entire school year for all students in all grades in the school;

WHEREAS, in an effort to increase class time for academic learning, many schools have severely limited physical education from the curriculum;

WHEREAS, the number of children nationwide that walk or bike to school has dropped from 48 percent in 1969 to merely 13 percent as of 2009;

WHEREAS, research indicates that participation in physical activity can improve academic achievement and that higher levels of physical fitness are linked to improved academic performance among children and teens; and therefore it be

RESOLVED, that the Montana PTA and its constituent organizations support Safe Routes to School programs and urge schools to implement such programs; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Montana PTA and its constituent organizations urge school districts to work with city planning and law enforcement departments to improve walking and biking safety in the vicinity of schools; and be it further

RESOLVED, that the Montana PTA and its constituent organizations support school siting and community design that allows students to bike or walk to school.