Roanoke City elementary school students are showing encouraging gains in their health and wellness, according to a new report released just ahead of the new school year.
The Roanoke Valley Community Healthy Living Index is a triennial, citywide survey tracking key health indicators among students in grades K–5. Its latest findings show notable improvements on several fronts, including:
- Childhood obesity rates are dropping, returning to pre-pandemic levels (25% of elementary school students) after rising during the COVID-19 crisis.
- More students are walking or biking to school (21% of elementary students), a sign that healthy habits are being incorporated into daily routines.
- Families report stronger neighborhood support for healthy lifestyles, with 61% saying there is a culture of physical activity in their community and 59% saying neighbors took action in the past year to improve health or safety.
“On the whole, we’re seeing good progress,” said Dr. Liz Ackley, a professor at Roanoke College and director of its Center for Community Health Innovation. “Nutrition behaviors are stable and generally good, and more residents report access to healthy food.”
“One notable trend that keeps showing up in the data is families are asking for more resources close to home,” she added. “That’s happening at the same time the city is doubling down on investing in vibrant neighborhood hubs, like Melrose Plaza. That kind of alignment between community voices and policymakers means we’re moving forward together in the right direction, which we love to see.”
The Roanoke Valley Community Healthy Living Index is an initiative of Roanoke College’s Center for Community Health Innovation. Since 2017, it has offered a detailed picture of children’s health in the city, tracking changes in obesity rates, physical activity, nutrition habits, and neighborhood supports for healthy living.
The index was designed to share actionable data that can inform the work of local leaders, educators, and community groups focused on improving neighborhood health. Its insights contributed to the community-driven planning process for Melrose Plaza, a new neighborhood center that includes a grocery store, wellness clinic, learning center, and other vital resources.
Other findings in the report include strong approval for school lunches and nutrition programs, with 70% of families satisfied or very satisfied with school meals and 87% reporting that school programs helped boost their child’s understanding of healthy eating.
Most families felt their neighborhood was safe for active recreation, but more than half (55%) said speeding cars were a concern. Traffic hazards and limited pedestrian infrastructure were the most frequently cited barriers to exercising or playing outdoors.
A majority of children aren’t engaging in the recommended amount of physical activity. Only 26% reported being active five or more times per week. In a series of open-ended survey questions, families asked for more parks, sidewalks and recreation facilities. Easier access to food that is not only healthy but affordable was another common request.
“This is a strong guidepost for future strategies and action,” Ackley said. “By working together across government, nonprofit and neighborhood groups, we can help build communities that support healthier, more active lives for all families.”
Data for the new report was collected between September 2024 and March 2025 from household surveys and FitnessGram assessments conducted in physical education classes. Three out of four students (74%) completed the FitnessGram test. Eight percent of student households responded to the survey.
-The Salem Times-Register
