LANSING -- Public schools across the country are finding ways to help stem the increasing problem of obesity.

They’re required to under a federal law passed two years ago that requires school districts to establish a “local wellness policy” by July 1. Districts must set goals for nutrition education, physical activity and other school-based activities to promote student health.

They must also adopt nutrition guidelines for all foods sold in their buildings, and involve parents, students and food service representatives in developing the policy.           

But some districts in St. Joseph County won’t be scrambling at the last minute to meet the deadline.

Sturgis Public Schools adopted its policy statement in recent months and Three Rivers Community Schools has submitted its draft to the state Board of Education for review.

More importantly, officials in Sturgis and Three Rivers say they’d already been taking steps over the years to promote healthy behaviors.

  “Our district is typically a little further ahead than most districts because we already have so many things in place,” said Kiel Musser, a nurse for Three Rivers schools. “We’re already doing a lot of things.”

On the nutrition standards front, schools in Sturgis and Three Rivers have gone beyond federal guidelines. Two years ago, soda in vending machines was replaced by water, juice and sports drinks, and healthier foods are being offered in the schools.

Robert Olsen, superintendent of Sturgis Public Schools, said that his district has been improving the menu and quality of food selection to provide a balanced diet for the past eight years.

“There will not be many changes because we already do such a good job with the food,” said Olsen.

Physical education is another area that probably won’t undergo many changes beyond complying with state or federal regulations, administrators say, due to financial and time considerations.

“What we do with PE will probably follow guidelines of the state,” Olsen said. Though he doesn’t predict it will change dramatically, he adds that the curriculum is dynamic and always changing.

“In order for schools to get all the academic requirements in, they may not be able to adhere to the intentions of the wellness plan,” he points out.

Musser said her district also promotes wellness to its staff.  Health screenings were offered and walking clubs for staff and students were started, she said..

Last year, the first annual wellness walk began. This year it will be held May 13.

With these new things in place, Musser said she is seeing results, but slowly.

“It doesn’t happen that way with adults, I can’t imagine it happening with kids that quick,” Musser said. “It’s an ever-evolving process. It’s never going to be finished and it shouldn’t be.”

At the elementary level, the school encouraged parents to pack healthy snacks and limit sweets to birthday celebrations. Rather than food, teachers gave out certificates or pencils as rewards for good work.

The key word is “encourage,” Potts emphasizes.

“It’s not that our kids never see candy,” she said. When she hears of a teacher giving out candy as a reward, “I discourage it but I don’t disallow it.”

At the snack bar in the middle and high schools in Three Rivers, administrators are reducing junk food and offering more items of higher nutritional value, Potts said.

And next year, students in athletics and drama will be able to buy healthy lunches between practices, after-school activities and during travel to events.

Last year, Musser and PE teacher Jennifer Leone, began teaching a six-week health course for K-5 children that covered topics such as nutrition, how to read food labels, the food pyramid guide, the activity pyramid and the benefits of exercise.

The new course received excellent ratings and positive feedback from teachers who evaluated it, Musser said.

As schools address how to deal with the complicated social issue of obesity and health, some administrators say that families and communities need to work together. 

From 5 years old until graduation, students are in schools only 14 percent of the time. The other 86 percent is off school property, meaning that parents can have a much greater impact on children than schools can, argued Olsen.

“We can help and be great partners, but the primary job relative to health and fitness should be up to the family.”