Childhood obesity and social justice: A multi-disciplinary strategy to provide equal access to physical education instruction in Los Angeles public schools

Background: Obesity rates among Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) students are above the national average. Physical education (PE) of sufficient quantity and quality is an important strategy to prevent childhood obesity. Education and civil rights laws require equal access to PE in California's public schools. However, social science research established that LAUSD had not been enforcing laws mandating PE instruction.

Aim: The City Project (TCP) developed and coordinated a multi-disciplinary strategy implemented by a coalition of community-based organizations to persuade the LAUSD Board of Education to address and remediate the identified deficiencies in its PE instructional programs.

Methods: TCP's strategy integrated social science research, civil rights and education laws, and community organizing strategies. The strategy had four major elements. First, the LAUSD teachers' union organized a public campaign to support the equitable provision of PE instruction to all students. Second, file administrative complaints alleging that LAUSD failed to enforce PE instructional requirements. Third, influence the LAUSD Board of Education to adopt a resolution to enforce PE laws. Fourth, collaborate with school officials to develop an implementation plan to enforce the Board resolution.

Results: TCP's strategy proved to be successful. LAUSD adopted a resolution directing the Superintendent to ensure that all schools comply with PE instructional requirements. In December 2009, LAUSD adopted an implementation plan for enforcing the PE requirements.

Conclusions: TCP's experience with LAUSD is a case study for lessons learned from its multidisciplinary approach, relying on social science research, legal strategies, and community organizing.