Obesity and overweight are the second and third leading causes of preventable death in the United States, accounting for an estimated 200,000 yearly deaths and $147 billion spent annually in direct medical costs. In 2009-2010, over 12.5 million American children and adolescents between the ages of 2-19 were obese. In Montana, the obesity rate has increased more than 80% over the last 15 years with 12.2% of its 2-5 year olds being obese. Growing attention has been paid to the increasing prevalence of obesity among rural children. Though numerous studies have identified rurality as a risk factor for childhood obesity, the causes for this relationship require more exploration. This quantitative research study utilized a descriptive design to determine the physical activity and nutrition programs available to rural, elementary/middle (PK-8) students in Montana. A non-random, convenience sample of 217 rural, elementary/middle (PK-8) school principals with less than 200 students in attendance were asked to participate in this study. Data were collected via electronic surveys, and questions were drawn from the CDC's School Health Index for elementary schools. Data were recorded and analyzed using Qualtrics software. Forty-two eligible surveys were returned for a response rate of 19.4%. Those participating counties in Central and Northeastern Montana with the lowest population densities scored the highest on the physical education/activity module, whereas Northwestern Montana had the highest population density and the highest score on the nutrition module; Southeastern Montana had the lowest scores on both modules. Students have greater access to nutritional services than physical education/activity programs; however, the average module scores from all of the schools combined indicate these schools generally have more strengths than weaknesses when it comes to the physical education/activity and nutritional services they offer. More research on the relationship between rurality and childhood obesity, community influences, and barriers to healthy eating and physical activity in rural areas is needed. Primary care providers in rural areas should use every opportunity to screen, counsel and initiate early interventions to combat childhood obesity, and they should consider the unique factors contributing to obesity in their area to better promote physical activity and nutrition.

This tool can help a school to assess its physical activity and nutrition policies and programs based on national standards and guidelines.

An interdisciplinary curriculum encourages active, inquiry-based learning and discusses the integration of four health themes into physical education, mathematics, science, language arts, and social studies classes.

Physical inactivity is a key determinant of health across the lifespan. A lack of activity increases the risk of heart disease, colon and breast cancer, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, osteoporosis, anxiety and depression and others diseases. Emerging literature has suggested that in terms of mortality, the global population health burden of physical inactivity approaches that of cigarette smoking. The prevalence and substantial disease risk associated with physical inactivity has been described as a pandemic. The prevalence, health impact, and evidence of changeability all have resulted in calls for action to increase physical activity across the lifespan. In response to the need to find ways to make physical activity a health priority for youth, the Institute of Medicine's Committee on Physical Activity and Physical Education in the School Environment was formed. Its purpose was to review the current status of physical activity and physical education in the school environment, including before, during, and after school, and examine the influences of physical activity and physical education on the short and long term physical, cognitive and brain, and psychosocial health and development of children and adolescents. Educating the Student Body makes recommendations about approaches for strengthening and improving programs and policies for physical activity and physical education in the school environment. This report lays out a set of guiding principles to guide its work on these tasks. These included: recognizing the benefits of instilling life-long physical activity habits in children; the value of using systems thinking in improving physical activity and physical education in the school environment; the recognition of current disparities in opportunities and the need to achieve equity in physical activity and physical education; the importance of considering all types of school environments; the need to take into consideration the diversity of students as recommendations are developed. This report will be of interest to local and national policymakers, school officials, teachers, and the education community, researchers, professional organizations, and parents interested in physical activity, physical education, and health for school-aged children and adolescents.

Strengthen programs of family and community engagement to promote equity and increase student success! When schools, families, and communities collaborate and share responsibility for students′ education, more students succeed in school. Based on 30 years of research and fieldwork, the fourth edition of the bestseller School, Family, and Community Partnerships: Your Handbook for Action, presents tools and guidelines to help develop more effective and more equitable programs of family and community engagement. Written by a team of well-known experts, it provides a theory and framework of six types of involvement for action; up-to-date research on school, family, and community collaboration; and new materials for professional development and on-going technical assistance. Readers also will find: Examples of best practices on the six types of involvement from preschools, and elementary, middle, and high schools Checklists, templates, and evaluations to plan goal-linked partnership programs and assess progress CD-ROM with slides and notes for two presentations: A new awareness session to orient colleagues on the major components of a research-based partnership program, and a full One-Day Team Training Workshop to prepare school teams to develop their partnership programs. As a foundational text, this handbook demonstrates a proven approach to implement and sustain inclusive, goal-linked programs of partnership. It shows how a good partnership program is an essential component of good school organization and school improvement for student success. This book will help every district and all schools strengthen and continually improve their programs of family and community engagement.