Obesity Rate Drops For Redondo Beach Students, Report Says

REDONDO BEACH, CA — Obesity rates dropped by 68% since 2007 for students in Redondo Beach Unified School District, according to a recent report from Beach Cities Health District.

The group announced it "has witnessed a dramatic drop in childhood obesity among its students following the implementation of nutrition and exercise programs that started in 2007," according to a news release. "The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health has taken notice and is publishing a Community Health Report detailing RBUSD’s success and hoping to inspire other school districts to combat obesity and improve health among their students."

In 2007, BCHD partnered with RBUSD to launch the Live WellKids program in schools following data that showed one in five RBUSD elementary school students was obese. The Department of Public Health is planning to release a full Community Health Report with full details.

"Within four years, the obesity rate in the school district fell from 20% to 15% and has continued to drop steadily since, to 6.4% today. This equates to a 68% drop in obesity from 2007-19 in RBUSD, while the national average has risen from 16% to 18% over the same period," according to a news release.

Children's health matters because it's connected to lifelong health, experts say.

“Obesity-related chronic diseases are among the leading causes of premature death in Los Angeles County, including coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, colorectal cancer and high blood pressure,” Paul Simon, M.D., M.P.H., Chief Science Officer for the LACDPH, said in a news release. “Stopping obesity among our young people is a critical step and these findings are particularly impressive because they were sustained and observed across all public elementary schools, grade levels and demographic groups.”

BCHD introduced the program at schools and also implemented other wellness initiatives, including the Blue Zones Project, Simon said.

“While neither program was branded as an “obesity prevention” initiative, both included a strong focus on improving nutrition and increasing physical activity, which has clearly helped lower the childhood obesity rate in this area," Simon said.

The data shows this approach is working.

“For the past 10 years, RBUSD has been at the forefront of the ‘whole child’ movement," RBUSD Superintendent Dr. Steven Keller said in a news release. "These numbers are a testament to our strong partnership with Beach Cities Health District, as their leadership and programs are key components of our success. When we partnered with BCHD and instituted their LiveWell Kids program, we all had lofty goals. Staff, parents, kids, the board of education as well as BCHD have all contributed to a program that continues to exceed those goals.”

Overall, student health continues to improve.

“Redondo Beach Unified was an early adopter of the concept of the ‘whole child’ – making sure each student has the opportunity to be healthy, safe, engaged, supported and challenged during their academic pursuits. Because of this, they were a willing partner to address childhood obesity,” Tom Bakaly, BCHD CEO, said. “The LiveWell Kids program has been a success because RBUSD was open to all ideas to improve the health of their students. From the superintendent, to staff, to the thousands of program volunteers who have been involved, there has been true collaboration that’s made a big impact.”

“Several years later, our work with the Blue Zones Project specifically addressed the health needs of the adult population, utilizing permanent, evidence-based environmental and policy changes in schools, workplaces, restaurants, businesses and city governments. These changes have also positively impacted students by making the healthy choice the easy choice for residents of all ages in our community,” Bakaly said.

The LiveWell Kids curriculum is delivered in classrooms and school gardens by 500 trained parent docents. The program blends in-class nutrition lessons, mindfulness practices and garden education to introduce and instill healthy habits at an early age.

In addition to LiveWell Kids, BCHD supports nutrition and exercise in RBUSD schools through 8-Minute Morning Exercises, School Wellness Councils, Walking School Bus, Walking Wednesdays and Youth Bicycle and Pedestrian Education. International Walk to School Day, held the first Wednesday in October, saw 1,723 RBUSD students participate in 2019.

When schools shifted to distance learning during the pandemic BCHD adapted its program for a virtual format, developing at-home exercises and mindfulness programs for families.

Learn more about the program and health information at www.bchd.org.

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