Profile: Breastfeeding Policy Workgroup
The fight against obesity takes many different forms, with no silver bullet approach to curbing the epidemic. One excellent strategy to reducing the risk of childhood obesity, starting at birth, is for mothers to breastfeed their infants.
Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan (HKHM) is currently examining policy considerations on infant nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and recommends breast milk as the optimal source of nutrition for children through the first year of life. Breastfeeding also provides many benefits for mothers and babies including protection against disease and reduced rates of obesity.
Unfortunately, research shows that the rate at which Michigan mothers initiate and then continue breastfeeding are below the national average. Michigan is one of only five states that do not offer statutory protection, a law that will protect breastfeeding mothers allowing them to breastfeed anywhere the woman is legally allowed to be. In an effort to provide normal and optimal nutrition for our children, it is important to reduce the social, structural and environmental barriers to breastfeeding that mothers encounter.
HKHM’s Health Family and Child Care Services Policy Action Team Breastfeeding Policy Workgroup is working toward developing changes to the rules that govern family and group child care homes as they pertain to infant feeding. Also, the workgroup is researching coverage of what lactation services and equipment under Medicaid. The workgroup meets
regularly, and if you are interested in becoming involved in the workgroup, please email HKHM at healthykidshealthymi@gmail.com
Healthy Kids, Healthy Michigan (HKHM) is currently examining policy considerations on infant nutrition and the importance of breastfeeding. The American Academy of Pediatrics states that human milk is uniquely superior for infant feeding and recommends breast milk as the optimal source of nutrition for children through the first year of life. Breastfeeding also provides many benefits for mothers and babies including protection against disease and reduced rates of obesity.
Unfortunately, research shows that the rate at which Michigan mothers initiate and then continue breastfeeding are below the national average. Michigan is one of only five states that do not offer statutory protection, a law that will protect breastfeeding mothers allowing them to breastfeed anywhere the woman is legally allowed to be. In an effort to provide normal and optimal nutrition for our children, it is important to reduce the social, structural and environmental barriers to breastfeeding that mothers encounter.
HKHM’s Health Family and Child Care Services Policy Action Team Breastfeeding Policy Workgroup is working toward developing changes to the rules that govern family and group child care homes as they pertain to infant feeding. Also, the workgroup is researching coverage of what lactation services and equipment under Medicaid. The workgroup meets
regularly, and if you are interested in becoming involved in the workgroup, please email HKHM at healthykidshealthymi@gmail.com
Study finds link between physical activity and academic performance
A study released in December 2011 reveals that students who are physically active tend to perform better in math and reading than those who are not physically active. In Delaware, 80,000 students were monitored between the 2008-2009 and 2009-2010 school years. The study, which was developed by the Delaware Department of Education and Nemours Health and Prevention Services, monitored student’s academic performance on the Delaware Student Testing Program and their physical fitness through the assessment program known as FitnessGram.
The Delaware Department of Education currently recommends that students receive 30 minutes per day of physical activity. Unfortunately, the Center for Disease Control reports that physical education classes are disappearing from schools nationwide, and as a result schools are increasing the amount of time children’s bodies remain relatively stationary.
Currently, Michigan schools are required to offer physical education; however, a specific frequency requirement has not been set for grades K-8. House Bills 5139-5141 would set a required amount of instruction time for both physical education and health education at varying rates for grades K-8. The bills would also stipulate that meeting these educational requirements could be necessary in order to receive the full state aid allocation for the district. The measures were referred to the House Education Committee, but have yet to be considered by that committee. HKHM recommends all advocates to contact members of the House Education Committee and urge their support. Our proposal is in-line with federal requirements and those adopted by other states.
Schools are an essential part of the solution to the obesity epidemic among U.S. children. Through strong school-based policies – including nutrition standards and quality health and physical education – schools can help students adopt and maintain healthy eating habits and physical fitness. As they become adults, children need to understand the basics of living a healthy lifestyle, of how to make healthy choices. Those skills need to be taught, learned and practiced in order to begin to reverse the current rates of obesity.
The Delaware Department of Education currently recommends that students receive 30 minutes per day of physical activity. Unfortunately, the Center for Disease Control reports that physical education classes are disappearing from schools nationwide, and as a result schools are increasing the amount of time children’s bodies remain relatively stationary.
Currently, Michigan schools are required to offer physical education; however, a specific frequency requirement has not been set for grades K-8. House Bills 5139-5141 would set a required amount of instruction time for both physical education and health education at varying rates for grades K-8. The bills would also stipulate that meeting these educational requirements could be necessary in order to receive the full state aid allocation for the district. The measures were referred to the House Education Committee, but have yet to be considered by that committee. HKHM recommends all advocates to contact members of the House Education Committee and urge their support. Our proposal is in-line with federal requirements and those adopted by other states.
Schools are an essential part of the solution to the obesity epidemic among U.S. children. Through strong school-based policies – including nutrition standards and quality health and physical education – schools can help students adopt and maintain healthy eating habits and physical fitness. As they become adults, children need to understand the basics of living a healthy lifestyle, of how to make healthy choices. Those skills need to be taught, learned and practiced in order to begin to reverse the current rates of obesity.
Complete Streets Update
Complete Streets continues to be a model of success for the coalition. It’s hard to believe, but it has been nearly two years since Complete Streets legislation was passed in Michigan.
As a response to the passage of the legislation, more than 70 Michigan communities have adopted Complete Streets policies. Michigan ranks in the top three states in the country with Complete Streets policies in place. The CPAT Complete Streets workgroup is currently working to help communities implement policies at the local level.
In April, the workgroup sent recommended policy language to the State Transportation Committee (STC). The STC will adopt a state policy in June and will encourage development of local policies. HKHM is in the process of writing a letter to the STC to promote the 10
Complete Streets principles from the National Complete Streets Coalition.
As a response to the passage of the legislation, more than 70 Michigan communities have adopted Complete Streets policies. Michigan ranks in the top three states in the country with Complete Streets policies in place. The CPAT Complete Streets workgroup is currently working to help communities implement policies at the local level.
In April, the workgroup sent recommended policy language to the State Transportation Committee (STC). The STC will adopt a state policy in June and will encourage development of local policies. HKHM is in the process of writing a letter to the STC to promote the 10
Complete Streets principles from the National Complete Streets Coalition.
HKHM Legislative Update
Michigan Complete Streets & Safe Routes to School and School Transportation and Infrastructure Management
A safety education work plan is being developed for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Council Ped/Bike Workgroup. CPAT Complete Streets members have met with House Judiciary Committee members, including the chair, providing education on HBs 4685 and 4686, HKHM and Complete Streets. In addition to HKHM support, organizations are encouraged to testify and/or submit supportive comments. The coalition is optimistic that
hearings will occur as early as this spring.
Obesity Prevention in Schools
HKHM members and advocates have been meeting with lawmakers on House Bills 5139-5141, which were introduced and referred to the House Education Committee in November 2011. Recently the Education committee named a new committee chair, Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto). Additional advocacy outreach is encouraged on this issue, targeting all
House Education Committee members.
Body Mass Index (BMI) in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR)
Earlier this year, the Snyder Administration withdrew its recommendation to add BMI tracking to the state’s MCIR, amid legislative concerns over the procedure. Currently, HKHM is trying to work with the Administration and Director Dazzo of the Department of Community Health on a way to make BMI tracking a measure that works for all parties involved.
Please watch for further communications on these topics, either via the newsletter or advocacy alerts.
A safety education work plan is being developed for the Governor’s Traffic Safety Advisory Council Ped/Bike Workgroup. CPAT Complete Streets members have met with House Judiciary Committee members, including the chair, providing education on HBs 4685 and 4686, HKHM and Complete Streets. In addition to HKHM support, organizations are encouraged to testify and/or submit supportive comments. The coalition is optimistic that
hearings will occur as early as this spring.
Obesity Prevention in Schools
HKHM members and advocates have been meeting with lawmakers on House Bills 5139-5141, which were introduced and referred to the House Education Committee in November 2011. Recently the Education committee named a new committee chair, Lisa Posthumus Lyons (R-Alto). Additional advocacy outreach is encouraged on this issue, targeting all
House Education Committee members.
Body Mass Index (BMI) in the Michigan Care Improvement Registry (MCIR)
Earlier this year, the Snyder Administration withdrew its recommendation to add BMI tracking to the state’s MCIR, amid legislative concerns over the procedure. Currently, HKHM is trying to work with the Administration and Director Dazzo of the Department of Community Health on a way to make BMI tracking a measure that works for all parties involved.
Please watch for further communications on these topics, either via the newsletter or advocacy alerts.
