The CDC recently released data on the growing obestiy trend in the USA. Here are some charts you might find interesting and worth sharing - especially among those who don't support physical education!

• Obesity among adults aged 20 years and older
• Prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 years and over by age group and sex
• Age-adjusted prevalence of obesity among adults aged 20 years and over, by sex and race/ethnicity
• Data tables for the above chart

In preparing this report PELINKS4U called representatives from schools participating in the program. Highlights of these conversations appear below:

Lou Andrus
(Physical Education Teacher, Lehi High School)

• We've been with the program for several years
• We require all high school students to take the program in order to graduate
• Four high schools within the district now have been equipped by the NSFF
• The NSFF has arranged for equipment repairs without any problems
• Schools can offer memberships to the fitness facility to the public and generate funds.

Dr. Gary Cameron
(Superintendent, San Juan School District)

• We've been with the program since February 2001
• Everything has worked out as promised
• Payments to the school have been made on time
• Our obligation is actually for only 1-year because as a school district we can only set a budget for 1-year
• In our rural environment we have chosen the make the facility open to the community

Dennis Crane
(Principal, Monticello High School)

• We've been with the program for one year
• It has been exactly as outlined and working very well
• It is one more avenue to encourage students to exercise
• The few needed repairs were done fast
• It sounds too good to be true...but it IS true
• We have extensive community use, with patrons paying $15.00/month and this sum going to support our programs
• Our PE teachers use the facility 3 times/week and run their regular program the other two days

Paul Gottfredson
(Business Administrator, South Sanpete School District)

• I was initially one of the biggest skeptics and almost had to be forced to agree to this program.
• It has been wonderful. They haven't missed anything they said they would do.
• We very carefully examined the lease agreement. It seemed a reasonable price so that even if the NSFF were to fail to repay us we would still have a reasonable purchase agreement.
• Our attorney examined the agreement and it was approved by our School Board

Contact information for these and other program users can be obtained through the National School Fitness Foundation.

Andy Jenkins

Do schools that qualify for the the NSFF program actually receive the materials and equipment for free?

Yes, and no - but mostly yes!

Qualifying schools accepted into the program are helped to set up a lease to purchase the equipment they need. This lease is set up by the school district with a leasing agency and districts are billed each month for the equipment purchase.

The school district pays the lease then immediately bills the NSFF who in return mail a check to cover the lease!

As noted opposite, program participants report that so far repayment from the NSFF has occurred without any delays or problems. In effect then, the equipment is indeed being provided to schools at no cost.

The lease is for 3 years, after which time the equipment belongs to the school. Schools then have the option of continuing the program and receiving completely NEW equipment under a similar arrangement. Should schools decide not to continue they simply retain the equipment and continue as they wish.

Where does the Foundation get its money to be able to cover school equipment and program purchases? According to its literature the NSFF has developed close ties with companies such as IBM, Universal Gym, Hewlett Packard, SportsArt, Micron, and Microsoft.

One participant interviewed by PELINKS4U believed that underwriters of the NSFF sought to gather data that would show the positive impact of this program on school-age health promotion. With clear evidence of growing youth obesity, a program that effectively counteracted this trend might then legitimately apply for governmental support to initiate widespread expansion.

Schools participating in the NSFF are currently located mostly in the center of the country and Midwest.

For more information on the NSFF visit their web site.