School Health

Health Ready Tips for Back to School

Check out the Health Ready Tips for your child’s grade level.

• Health Ready for Child Care and Pre School (91kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for Elementary School (92kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for Middle School (81kb; pdf)
• Health Ready for High School (192kb; pdf)

And Remember:

The Escambia County Health Department wishes you and your child a healthy and successful school year!

Student Obesity Data
Released Health Officials Call for Greater Community Involvement

At a time when many cities report high rates of obesity among adults and children, the Escambia County Health Department released data showing no increase in the total number of students who are obese and a 2% increase in the total number of students who are overweight for the 2009-2010 school year. Escambia students take home Health Report Cards (49.5kb; pdf) that provide parents with results of multiple screenings including vision, hearing and Body Mass Index.

The mission of the School Health Department is to enhance learning by promoting health and wellness for children in Escambia County.

The strength of the School Health Department is found in its caring, creative, committed and competent staff who are making a positive impact on the health of students and children in Escambia County. Our department serves children and students in childcare programs, pre-K, Headstart, and schools.

The Core Recommendations for Healthy Families (4kb; pdf) were created as a result of the Escambia County School District Obesity Taskforce in cooperation with the Escambia County Health Department. They are based on guidelines and recommendations of numerous agencies and organizations including the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the American Dietetic Association, the National Association for Sports and Physical Education, and the American Academy of Pediatrics. It is the group’s goal that ALL families in Escambia County receive the same recommendations relating to nutrition, physical activity, and making healthy changes.


Nutrition

• Choose a variety of foods.

  • Aim to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and vegetables each day.

  • Include 3 servings a day of low-fat milk or dairy products.

  • Choose fiber rich whole-grains.

  • Select lean meats.

• Eat foods low in saturated fat, trans fat and total fat.

• Limit foods and drinks that are high in sugar such as candy and soda.

• Drink plenty of water everyday.

• Plan ahead for eating healthy snacks.

• Eat a healthy breakfast everyday.

• Serve smaller portions.

Physical Activity

• Elementary school children should accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity everyday.

• Children should not have extended periods (two hours or more) of inactivity.

• Children should participate each day in a variety of age-appropriate physical activities to promote lifetime fitness.

• All adolescents should be physically active each day, engaging in three or more sessions per week of moderate to vigorous activities that last 20 minutes or more at a time.

Limit television watching, video games, and computer-related activities to no more than 2 hours per day outside of school.

Making Changes

• Balance food choices with physical activity for a healthy body.

• Set a good example for children by making physical activity and healthy eating a part of your daily routine.

  • Eat meals together as a family as often as possible.

  • Be physically active together as a family.

• Focus on small but permanent changes for better health.

School Health Main Office
(850) 484-5100

Monday – Friday   7:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

School Health Login

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