Childhood Obesity - Do you have an overweight child? We offer tips to help your child lose weight and get fit!

In a sweeping mid-March decision, the administration for a British elementary school banned sweets from nearly every type of student event, including fund raisers and birthday celebrations. Parents are not happy about the change, with one even calling the new rule "draconian."

Mum Angela Craig said: "As a parent, I am really cross at being dictated to like this. Up until this point, I think the school had handled the situation beautifully." & George Strang, whose grandchildren attend [the school] said: "I have written to the school asking if this is an early April Fool. If not, it is political correctness gone mad." [Source: Mearns (UK) Leader]

Head teacher Gail Macfarlane said the decision to ban sweets was based on the schools interpretation of guidelines laid out in the latest edition of Healthy Eating in Schools. The decision was also influenced by a small minority of parents who wanted junk food eliminated from the school.

Many schools in both the UK and the United States have banned junk foods in an effort to improve student health and reduce rates of childhood obesity.

Labels: UK, schools, junk food

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For the third year in a row, Londonderry (NH) Middle School is holding a silent auction aimed at raising money for the schools wellness programs. Entertainment and sports tickets and museum packages are included among the auction items.

This year's auction is set for tomorrow, Dec. 1, 5:30 to 7:30 p.m., in the school.

"This is the third year that the Londonderry School District has taken steps to tackle the problem of childhood obesity, the Derry News reported. The middle school was applauded for its efforts by representatives from the Foundation for Healthy Communities and Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield last year."

The Londonderry wellness committee meets several times a year to brainstorm ideas for helping kids lives healthy lifestyles, the paper reported. The committee's most recent initiative, 5-2-1-0 encourages kids to eat five servings of fruits and vegetables each day, cut their TV and computer time to two hours a day, spend one hour a day engaged in moderate to vigorous physical activity, and reduce their consumption of sugar-sweetened drinks to zero.

Labels: schools, middle school, wellness

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A nonprofit organization called Project Measure Up is working to helping schools comply with a six-part health assessment required of all Texas schoolchildren.

Don Finley reported on the "Measure Up" effort in a Nov. 22 article on mysanantonio.com:

Project Measure Up doesn't exist just to help cash-strapped school districts with personnel costs. The real goal is to have ready access to all that raw data to get a detailed picture of the county's childhood obesity problem today and what health problems those kids will face years from now, organizers say.

We can predictively tell you within a 5 percent margin of error what our cardiovascular illness is going to be in 20 years based on these children right now. And that's really important for our future planning and legislation, said Nicole Rogers, executive director of the Health Collaborative, a group of local hospitals, health agencies and charitable foundations that sponsors Project Measure Up.

Eight local independent school districts  Alamo Heights, East Central, Edgewood, Harlandale, Judson, Somerset, South San Antonio and South Side  have accepted the group's offer of free, trained volunteers to help with the tests. The three largest districts  North East, Northside and San Antonio  have not, although discussions are under way with San Antonio, Rogers said.

It's been a process of earning trust in the schools, Rogers said.

Labels: schools, texas, fitness

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In an effort to teach kids the benefits of healthier eating, Baltimore City Public Schools have implemented Meatless Mondays. Food served in school cafeterias on these days is strictly vegetarian.

"The goal of the Meatless Monday campaign is to introduce consumers to meals that can reduce their carbon footprint and improve their health," Virginia Messina reported in her Oct. 4 Seattle Vegan Examiner article. "Tony Geraci, director of the school systems Food and Nutrition Department said the program is meant to inspire people to understand that there are other meal options than just meat and potatoes."

The Johns Hopkins School of Public Health Center for a Livable Future has recognized the Baltimore City Public Schools as the first school system in the U.S. to observe Meatless Mondays  a campaign that was initiated by Johns Hopkins back in 2003, Messina reported.

Labels: schools, vegetables, lunches, vegetarian

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In conjunction with National School Lunch Month, a group of concerned community members convened in the Naperville (Illinois) Whole Foods grocery store to discuss ways to improve nutrition in area schools.

Dena Sanderson reported on the event in the Oct. 16 edition of the Naperville Sun:

"Healthier children make better learners," said panelist Rochelle Davis, founding executive director of the Healthy Schools Campaign. "Our program allows us to help school officials make changes in school lunch programs," she added.

Davis said the coalition has helped pass key state laws, including requiring schools to have larger cafeterias so students are eating their lunches at normal times. She said this prevents unhealthy snacking and hunger during the school day.

She added that all schools need to adopt wellness policies and parents need to get involved with their schools in order to bring the health issue to the forefront. ...

Catherine Gonzalez, a registered dietitian with the DuPage County Health Department, said the time is now to make changes in school lunch programs because health issues such as Type 2 diabetes, increased cholesterol levels and psychological issues are among the many consequences of childhood obesity.

Labels: nutrition, schools, lunches

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In an effort to fight childhood obesity, the New York Department of Education has outlawed all bake sales in schools.

If a principal does not comply with the new rule, it will result in an "adverse impact on the principals performance ratings," according to a written statement from the Education Department.

Critics of the move include some Parent Teacher Associations, sports teams and other groups that conduct fund-raisers.The Department suggests that schools and sports teams use walk-a-thons and other activities that promote fitness to raise money.

About 40 percent of New York City's elementary and middle school students are overweight or obese.

Labels: schools, prevention

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American schools are becoming healthier, but theres still work to do, according to a series of recent studies. The compilation of assessments appears in a September supplement to the Journal of Adolescent Health.

The following is one example of the progress that is being made:

Students in California schools have a choice of healthier foods and beverages. More than 85 percent of 56 schools studied complied with state beverage standards that went into effect two years ago, and nearly 64 percent meet standards regarding healthy food in their cafeterias and other venues.

While nutrition is improving, physical education is not. It is currently required for just 20 percent of all 12th graders. Many researchers call for additional policies regarding nutrition and physical activity in schools, as well as a thorough study of the effectiveness of existing policies.

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According to a Sept. 20 article by Democrat and Chronicle Stephanie Veale, parents of some New York schoolchildren may want to start packing both lunches and snacks for their kids:

As part of a nutrition audit released last week, the Comptrollers Office assessed the contents of 186 vending machines in 20 school districts statewide.

Three local districts  Gates Chili, Webster and Le Roy  were highlighted, and auditors found that many snacks available in these and other districts had higher-than-recommended levels of sugar and fat.

These snacks, auditors said, may lure children away from nutritious school lunches.

Snacks found in school vending machines included mint-flavored milk, iced animal cookies and caramel cookie candy bars, Veale reported. Some school officials said they felt the audit was unfair, as it used nutrition standards that have not yet been adopted by the state or the school districts in question.

Labels: schools, cafeterias

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No one is talking about banning milk from school lunch menus, but there is a lot of discussion about which types of milk should be offered.

"Some schools are adding to the selection of sweetened varieties in an effort to boost students calcium intake, while other schools ban flavored milks," reported Tara Malone of the Chicago Tribune. "Chicago Public Schools stopped offering whole milk out of concern for the added calories and fat. Organic milk is edging into some lunch lines, while others now offer soy milk."

Currently, nine out of every ten preteen girls doesn't get enough calcium, and seven out of every ten boys falls short, Malone reported. The need to increase calcium intake is coming into conflict with overall nutrition issues related to childhood obesity.

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As students across the nation either prepare to return to school or have already begun classes, it may come as a surprise to many parents that very few American children have daily physical education classes.

This lack of regular phys. ed. opportunities was documented in a recent study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

• The study found that only 4 percent of elementary schools, 8 percent of middle schools and 2 percent of high schools have daily physical education.
• Only two states, Illinois and Massachusetts, require such classes every day for kindergarteners through 12th graders.
• The study found that children in Illinois and Massachusetts the same rates of obesity and overweight as children everywhere else in the United States, even though they exercise daily.

"I'm all for holding schools to high standards with regard to academic outcomes," said Russell Pate, vice president of Health Studies at the University of South Carolina. "But we need to have balance, and we need all schools to be healthy places for children."

Labels: schools, physical_activity, physical_education

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Officials with The Brighton and Hove City (UK) Primary Care Trust will be sending letters to parents of Year Six students to inform them if their children are overweight. Those whose children are deemed overweight or obese will also get food and exercise recommendations. (Year Six in the United Kingdom is equivalent to fifth grade in the U.S. system.)

An Aug. 12 article by Siobhan Ryan of The Argus provided the following details on this effort:

Health bosses claim the intention is to support parents to make important lifestyle changes to help their child reach a healthy weight ... Figures from the 2007/08 measurement programme show that 21 percent of reception [kindergarten-age] children and 31 percent of year 6 children were overweight.

"Modern living can really make it hard for children to maintain a healthy weight," PCT public health development manager Lydie Lawrence said in Ryan's article. "If this trend [of childhood overweight and obesity] continues, nine out of ten children may grow up with dangerous amounts of fat in their bodies which puts them at greater risk of cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease as adults."

Source: The Argus (UK)

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An audit of New York City schools has revealed that the schools routinely make junk food available to students -- a move that New York City Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli says is undermining efforts to encourage students to follow a health diet plan:

Auditors found that school stores and vending machines at 20 of 30 city schools visited sold candy, soda, and other unhealthy snacks to students during lunch periods in direct violation of the Chancellors policies and in direct competition with the healthy lunches offered by the Department of Education. (Source: Empire State News)

The auditors also found that 14 out of 15 audited schools made unhealthy food available throughout the day, not just during lunch.

Labels: causes of childhood obesity, schools, junk food

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More than 350 Texas schools will be awarded more than $11 million worth of new kitchen equipment as part of the federal stimulus package. According to the North Texas News, the new equipment will go toward replacing components such as deep-fat fryers.:

The kitchen equipment purchased with these funds will allow schools to provide more nutritious meals to Texas school children and also help in the fight against childhood obesity, Commissioner [Todd] Staples said. "I am very proud of the accomplishments of our Texas schools as they take another step toward encouraging the 3 Es of Health Living: Education, Exercise, and Eating Right."

When the Texas Department of Agriculture announced that stimulus funds were available, it received requests from more than 3,000 schools. Though all the requests couldn't be met, 939 pieces of kitchen equipment will be provided, including ovens, freezers, steam tables, and food processors.

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, cafeterias

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The Massachusetts legislature has unanimously agreed to a new regulation that requires public schools to send children's Body Mass Index (BMI) results home to their parents. Results will be sent home for children in first, fourth, seventh, and 10th grades.

The new rule will replace the current process of weighing children every year. Eighteen other states require a body mass index calculation, but Massachusetts joins a smaller list of states, including Arkansas, that requires schools to notify parents about it.

An eating disorder support association has expressed concern over the new regulation, pointing to the fact that many eating disorders are triggered when a child's weight is measured in school or a child is forced to go on a diet. Still, several health groups support the regulation, which will be phased into Massachusetts schools over the next 18 months.

Source: South Coast Today

Labels: legislation, schools, overweight children, body_mass_index

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Some schools in states like Minnesota are experimenting with "standing stations" instead of desks and chairs. Standing up burns more calories and may make students feel less restless, according to their teachers. Teachers say that standing helps some students focus better, although other students find it too distracting.

The standing stations are not cheap - they cost about $250 each compared to $80 for a conventional desk and chair. Grants from the Tozer Foundation, the United Way, and some government entities are funding the experiment.

Labels: schools, exercise, standing

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The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, passed by Congress and likely to be signed by President Obama, includes money for "modernization," which could be used to create spaces and environments that promote physical activity.

"The act... requires that states allocate three percent of their share for Transportation Enhancements, which could include construction of walkways, bicycle paths and bike lanes that can help prevent obesity."

Research that was recently published in a special issue of the Journal of Public Health revealed that state and local policies, in conjunction with the Recovery and Reinvestment Act, can remove many of the obstacles that prevent young people from playing outside.Source: Medical News Today

Labels: schools, prevention

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The New Jersey state Health Department, in conjunction with the Pediatric Council on Research and Education, is sponsoring a symposium on the prevention of childhood obesity.

"The conference is intended to give school administrators, nurses and physical education teachers as well as dieticians, physicians, and others practical information and guidance they can use in their interactions with young children and their families."

Participants will learn how to interpret body-mass index information and introduce age-appropriate activities. The conference will also address feeding and eating patterns that lead to childhood obesity. The conference will be held March 31 in Monroe Township. Source: North Jersey News

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A study by Dr. Maureen Dobbins of McMaster University in Canada found that physical education programs in schools can help combat obesity, but they aren't enough.

"Obesity among children aged 6 to 11 has more than doubled in 20 years, going from 6.5 percent in 1980 to 17 percent in 2006, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. The rate among adolescents aged 12 to 19 has more than tripled."

While Dr. Dobbins acknowledges that physical activity during the school day is important, she has also found that it doesn't compel kids to be more active outside of school. Parents need to step in, set an example of a healthy lifestyle, and encourage the same in their kids, she said. Source: Reuters

Labels: schools, activity, physical_education

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Somerset County (Great Britain) is making an educational DVD available to schools, parents, and health professionals who want practical information on fighting childhood obesity.

"The 15-minute film shows ways in which children, their families and schools have worked together to promote healthy weight and wellbeing. Healthy schools coordinator Clare Laker said: 'It highlights that being overweight or obese causes many problems for children.'"

The DVD cost about $6,800 to produce and was funded through the county council and the Somerset Healthy School Programme. Source: Somerset Standard

Developed by leading researchers from the U.S. and Europe, Wellspring UK is among the most effective weight loss programmes for children and adolescents. Wellspring UK includes a Lower Camp for ages 11  18 years old, plus an Upper Camp for adults aged 18  24.

Labels: UK, schools, parents

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Physical education classes in schools do not affect children's weights, but do they improve fitness, cholesterol levels, and lung capacity, according to a new study from Cochrane Research.

Scientists looked at data from physical activity programs in schools in the United States, Canada, Australia, and South America. Children involved in these programs did not lose weight, improve their blood pressure readings, or exercise more after school than non-participants. However, their fitness levels improved.

"Given that there are at least some beneficial effects, we would recommend that schools continue their health promotion programs," said the study's lead researcher, Maureen Dobbins of McMaster University in Ontario, Canada.

Labels: schools, weight_loss, physical_education

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The New York State's Comptroller's office has released a report stating that childhood obesity costs New York taxpayers more than $242 million a year. The office is turning to local schools for help, and the East Syracuse district is stepping up to the challenge.

"ES-M Superintendent Donna DeSiato says her district has incorporated healthier programs in a three-prong-process... The process includes an early curriculum, starting at pre-K, integrating more physical fitness in to the school day, and creating a healthier school lunch program."

The new lunch program includes swapping out whole milk for one-percent milk, and using whole-wheat products. Source: WSYR-TV Syracuse

Labels: schools, costs_of_childhoood_obesity

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Low-income school children throughout the United States are sampling more fruits and vegetables thanks to a federal nutrition program. The program, initially tested in just two states, is now running in all 50.

"The program ... provided low-income students with fruits and vegetables during the school day, in addition to what they get at breakfast and lunch at school. [It] is aimed at getting kids to select healthier snacks..."

Under the federal program, students are also exposed to a wide variety of fresh fruits and vegetables to help them figure out what they like, and increase the chances that they'll ask for a papaya instead of potato chips the next time they want a snack. Source: Omaha World-Herald

Labels: nutrition, schools, low-income

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In the battle against childhood obesity, parents, teachers and physicians are all calling for children to increase their levels of activity. Unfortunately, on of the primary sources of physical activity for children - recess - is slowly disappearing from public schools.

"Cutting recess time is a growing trend across the country, but some education experts say that's a mistake. Having an outlet such as recess helps student's focus in the classroom, they say, and it helps combat childhood obesity rates..."

A recent study of one county in Georgia found that 35 percent of the elementary schools had no recess at all. All nine of the schools that were surveyed were in high-poverty areas, where school administrators felt that students needed extra classroom time. Source: Macom.com

Labels: schools, exercise, recess

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One in three high school cafeterias still sells junk foods, according to new data from the Center for Disease Control. However, this statistic represents progress. In 2004, 53 percent were selling candy and high fat, salty snacks; in 2006, the rate was 37 percent.

Dr. Howell Wechsler, director of the CDC's Division of Adolescent and School Health, said that schools are selling junk food because they need money. He admitted that food revenues drop during the first few years a school cafeteria substitutes healthy foods for the more popular but less nutritious ones. However, sales eventually climb, he said.

This study appears in the CDC Weekly Report on Morbidity and Mortality.

Labels: schools, cafeterias, junk_food

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The premise 'sound body, sound mind' is behind new Texas legislation that will require physical activity and assessment tests for all Texas middle school students.

"Specifically, the measure mandates 30 minutes of daily physical activity in at least four semesters during middle school, grades six through eight. It also requires that schools begin giving aerobic, abdominal, flexibility and upper body tests to students in grades three through twelve."

If the bill is signed by the governor, the assessments will start this fall. High school students are already required to have 1.5 credits of physical education. The new legislation for middle school students won't take effect until the 2008-09 school year. Read more online.

Labels: schools, exercise, physical_activity

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In the fight against childhood obesity, school lunch programs have become a primary target. More and more schools are banning soft drinks during lunch and in vending machines on school grounds. Yet the ban seems to be having little effect on consumption.

"A researcher found that fifth-graders whose elementary schools didn't allow the sale of soft drinks consumed just 4 percent less overall than those children in other schools."

The study surveyed drinking habits of more than 10,000 fifth grade students in more than 2,000 schools. The study seems to indicate that the fight against childhood obesity can't be focused on just one area or food, but needs to be a comprehensive approach that considers home, school, and other environments. Source: ABC-7 (El Paso, TX)

Labels: sodas, schools, soft_drinks

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Convened in Boston and hosted by the city's mayor, the City and School Leaders Collaborating on Local Wellness Policies initiative met to discuss strategies for citywide wellness policies that could be sustained long-term.

"One of the innovative local programs that project teams visited was the Boston Schoolyard Initiative, a partnership by the city, school district and Boston Schoolyard Funders Collaborative that has refurbished 71 public schoolyards... these schoolyards are converted into spaces in which children can be healthy and physically active as well as learn outdoor science lessons..."

Several strategies were discussed for implementing similar programs in other cities, including connecting wellness committees to existing youth programs, and partnering with a foundation or other entity to ensure implementation of citywide policies. Source: National League of Cities

Labels: schools, prevention, awareness

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Louisa May Alcott Elementary School lunches won't feature the typical school cafeteria fare this year. Instead of processed foods such as hamburgers, chicken nuggets and pizza, students will be enjoying organic foods made from scratch with locally produced ingredients.

"[Chef Greg] Christian started the OSP [Organic School Project] in response to his own daughter's health problems, hoping to bring awareness to childhood obesity, early onset type II diabetes, and behavioral problems. He believes that if children reconnect with their food source they'll be more willing to try healthier foods."

Children at the school will also help create and sustain a fruit and vegetable garden, and will learn the benefits of composting and recycling. The program, which is scheduled to run for the 2008-2009 school year, will be the first of its kind to also study the effects of more holistic approaches to obesity prevention. Source: ConsciousChoice.com

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, organic

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The Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition (MoCAN) recently revised its voluntary nutrition guidelines for public schools, and is now asking the public to weigh in on the Missouri Eat Smart Guidelines.

"MoCAN's first set of school nutrition guidelines, published in 2005, outlined three levels of nutrition standards for schools: minimum, intermediate and advanced. The revised guidelines add a fourth category, the exemplary level, as a higher standard for school nutrition."

The public is invited to comment on the guidelines through August, at which time MoCAN will review all submissions. The final draft of the recommendations will be released in September. Source: EMaxHealth

Labels: nutrition, schools, community

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France has recently begun doing what the United States, it seems, can only talk and dream about: curb childhood obesity. The introduction of healthy school lunch programs has taught French children how to eat well, and isn't costing school districts a fortune.

"All around the school kitchen, food is cooking in various pots and pans.... It is hard to believe this is a public school cafeteria and not a three-star restaurant. Perhaps what is most impressive about [Chef Dominique] Valadier's meals is that they cost the students only $3 a day, less than the typical fast food fare served at many French high schools."

Valadier keeps food costs down by buying local and using everything; he even boils the heads, flesh and bones from salmon to make bullion. Students at the school say they've nearly stopped eating at fast food restaurants and have learned some important lessons about healthy cooking and eating. Source: NPR

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, economics

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The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services has created a program designed to help connect local farmers with the area's school food service directors. connect and. This "Farm-to-School" effort to get more local fruits and vegetables into public schools is the result of an initiative by the 2007 Virginia General Assembly.

"The Farm-to-School program is about creating connections between growers, distributors and educational institutions,' said Todd P. Haymore, VDACS Commissioner. 'Through these connections, we also can reach children and their parents,' he added."

The program's web site helps food service directors learn what food is available and where it can be purchased. Both the program and the website are administered by VDACS' Division of Marketing. Source: Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, farmers

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A study by researchers in British Columbia, Canada, has found that increased physical education classes don't improve body mass index (BMI) for schoolchildren.

"[Dr. Kevin] Harris said researchers looked at 13 trials of six months to three years in which pre- and post-BMI measurements were taken. In studies involving nearly 10,000 children, primarily in elementary schools, none demonstrated a reduction in BMI with those who were assigned to the most phys-ed time, compared to those who didn't have as much."

The information, which was presented at the Canadian Pediatric Society conference in Victoria, is expected to diminish hopes that more school-based phys-ed classes would have been a cure-all for childhood obesity. While increased physical activity in school does have tremendous health benefits for children, it appears weight loss may not be one of them. Source: The Vancouver Sun

Labels: schools, physical_education, body_mass_index

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Farmers have begun pressuring New York State lawmakers to set higher nutritional standards for public schools. Higher standards would not only help combat childhood obesity, but could potentially create a lot of business for New York farmers.

"Components of a healthy-schools bill include requiring the state to set nutritional and dietary standards for school meals and snacks, with an emphasis on unsweetened fruits, vegetables, whole grains and other nutritional foods."

The farmers make a strong case for the higher standards by reminding lawmakers that produce and other items shipped from farms in upstate New York will be cost-effective because packing and shipping costs will be reduced. Both the Assembly and Senate passed their own versions of healthy-schools bills, but they couldn't reach a compromise before the session ended. Source: Press Connects

Labels: legislation, schools, farmers

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The Illinois state Senate has passed legislation that would ban the use of trans fats in all schools that participate in the state lunch program.

"As the number of reports of childhood obesity rises, at least eight states have limited the use of trans fats in foods, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. California has an outright ban on trans fats in school meals, and Oregon doesn't let schools sell snacks with trans fats."

Now that the bill has been approved the by the Senate, it moves on to the House, where it's expected to pass as well. From there, the bill would have to be signed into law by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Source: Chicago Tribune.

Labels: legislation, schools, fats

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A bill pending in the Illinois State Senate would ban trans fats in schools if voted into law. Senator Donne Trotter introduced the legislation, citing a school's responsibility for teaching kids the benefits of healthy eating habits.

"Illinois' bill would require the State Board of Education to eliminate cafeteria food cooked with vegetable oils containing trans fats by July 2009. A year later, all foods with added trans fats from cafeterias, vending machines and a la carte items would be outlawed. Food with naturally occurring trans fats - including meat, milk and cheese - would be exempt."

Trans fats are created when hydrogen is added to vegetable oil. While these fats improve food's flavor and increase shelf life, they have also been linked to high cholesterol, obesity, heart disease, and diabetes. Source: The Courier News - Chicago

Labels: legislation, schools, fats

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Childhood obesity is a complex problem that can't be fixed overnight or by just one group of people. We can't look only to schools or parents or the children themselves. It's going to take everyone working together to solve this problem.

"Some may argue that it is the individual's choice as to what they eat, how they exercise, and if they put themselves at greater risk for co-morbidity of obesity. However, children are products of our environment and reflect the habits that we teach them."

Similarly, all responsibility can't rest with the parents, because kids spend a significant time away from their homes. Schools need to support parents' efforts to teach their kids healthy eating and exercise habits. Source: The Ellsworth American

Labels: schools, community, responsibility

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Mississippi is often ranked 1st or 2nd in childhood obesity. In an effort to get scales moving in the opposite direction, former Miss Mississippi contestant Catherine Carter helped develop an exercise program called "You Gotta Move."

"[Carter] says this is important because it educates children about the importance of daily exercise, and it shows them at an early age that it is fun to be fit and healthy. Pediatricians are reporting more frequent cases of obesity related diseases in children such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol."

You Gotta Move was created for use in kindergarten through 2nd grade classrooms. The DVD contains exercises that kids can do right at their desks. Read more at WLBT.com.

Labels: schools, exercise, activity

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Minnesota's Public Health Finance Division has voted against a measure that would require "obesity checks" for the state's schoolchildren. The plan would have monitored childhood obesity by collecting body-mass index information during the school year.

"The biggest worry from those who objected: The numbers could shame overweight children and teenagers. 'They know in the third grade that they're fat. They know that,' said Rep. Neil Peterson, R-Bloomington, who said he has female relatives with eating disorders. 'Now you're going to line 'em up in class and do monitoring so you reinforce that.'"

The bill's sponsor argues that the information would not be made public, but would instead be used to determine how and where efforts against childhood obesity are focused. Read more at WCCO.com.

Labels: legislation, schools, shame

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Between 2003 and 2007, the state of North Carolina lost more than $10 million in its child-nutrition programs, going from a $5.6 million profit to a $5.7 million loss. Officials say the loss was primarily caused by increased costs associated with introducing healthier foods into school meal programs.

"Schools began offering healthier a la carte items in cafeterias, but those items cost more, Hoggard said. For example, the cost of 240 regular cookies is about $41, but the cost of 240 reduced-fat, whole-grain cookies is about $55. And those healthier items don't sell as well..."

Lynn Hoggard, section chief for child nutrition in North Carolina, estimates that it could cost between $15 million and $20 million to implement the necessary nutrition changes. Read more at StarNewsOnline.com.

Labels: nutrition, healthy_eating, schools

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In the Las Cruces Public Schools (New Mexico), health and nutrition expert Barbara Berger has outlined suggestions for increasing students' physical activity; by using activity - instead of food - as a reward.

"Children love being active, so it seems logical that activity be used as a real reward. Instead of celebrating with a pizza party or an ice cream social in class, try a fun outing such as a nature walk or a game of tag... For older students, how about a jump rope contest, H-O-R-S-E (basketball shooting game) or playing with hula hoops?"

By substituting activity for food, kids not only learn to more greatly appreciate and enjoy physical activity but they reduce the risk of develop unhealthy attitudes towards food. Read more at LCSun-News.com.

Labels: schools, exercise, rewards

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The Utah school board has voted 11 to four to keep control of policies that determine what is sold in school vending machines. The board voted down what would have banned, state-wide, the sale of pop and candy in school vending machines.

"So school districts now just have to come up with policies on vending machine and other fare that doesn't come through the school lunch program, and submit them to the state school board in January 2009."

State board members acknowledge that childhood obesity is a serious issue, but believe that local school districts need to take matters into their own hands, rather than relying on state-controlled legislations.

Looking for a boarding school in Utah? Visit BoardingSchoolsInfo.com for a compete list of boarding junior and high schools in Utah.

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, vending_machines

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A school district in Central New York State has become the second in the state to ban cupcakes and other desserts from birthday celebrations. The school has also begun to replace soda with milk and sandwich rolls with whole wheat bread. Surprisingly, few kids mind the change.

"'I like everything except for the cheese,' said Scott Huynh, 10. 'Cupcakes make you really fat, and vegetables keep you going longer, and also you won't die early if you eat them.' Jake Temple, 10, said he didn't really miss eating cupcakes. 'The vegetables actually taste kinda weird, but they give you more energy than fatty food.'"

Some students and parents, however, think the ban on birthday sweets goes too far. The general sentiment among the group is that, while limiting sweets is important, having a cupcake at a birthday celebration isn't going to cause obesity in anyone.

Labels: nutrition, schools, dessert

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A federal pilot program that's been running in 14 states may be expanded across the country when the nation sets its agricultural policy for the next five years. The program makes fruits and vegetables more readily available in school lunch programs and is being heavily lobbied for by the United Fresh Produce Association.

"'Kids eat way less than half of the total fruit and vegetables they need to eat for good health,' said Lorelai DiSogra, a nutritionist at United Fresh Produce Association, which represents fruit and vegetable growers. 'If you can make fresh fruits and vegetables available, kids are going to eat it.'"

A program expansion would make as much as $225 million available, making it easier to expand the program beyond its current pilot stage.

Labels: nutrition, healthy_eating, schools

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With an estimated 13 million children and adolescents considered obese, school systems and health officials have been diligently searching for ways help kids be healthier. From changes in school cafeteria food to increased daily physical activities, the changes have been widespread and are beginning to get results.

"A recent CDC study shows that the share of school cafeterias offering their students French fries as the only vegetable item on their menus has dropped from 40 percent in 2000 to 18.8 percent in 2006... A...program in Texas, close to El Paso, has helped reduce the percentage of children with weight problems from 25.8 percent in 2002 to 23.4 percent in 2005."

There's still a long way to go, but all indications are that the health of the nation's children is slowly improving. Because children spend less than 20 percent of their time in school, it's important for parents to take positive steps at home, too.

Labels: nutrition, schools

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The American medical community has written a bold statement calling for widespread reform in federal food policies. The American Medical Association places much of the blame for our current obesity epidemic on the Federal Farm Bill, which creates large subsidies for things like meat, eggs and dairy products but almost none for fruits and vegetables.

"Federal law currently requires the USDA to purchase commodity foods - meat, dairy products, eggs, and other unhealthy foods - and dump them into school lunch programs. These foods are not selected for nutritional value but are designed to support agricultural businesses by removing surpluses and providing price supports. That's why lunch menus are loaded with cheeseburgers, roast beef with gravy, and sausage-and-cheese pizza, while low-fat and vegetarian options are virtually absent. In the most recent federal survey, about 80 percent of elementary and middle schools violate the USDA's own limits on fat in foods."

The problem also extends to the USDA's Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children. The WIC program is supposed to provide nutritional support for at-risk populations, but supplies up two 24 quarts of milk a month while supplying less than two pounds of fruits and vegetables.

Labels: nutrition, legislation, schools

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The No Child Left Behind Act currently speaks only to academic education, but some members of the House of Representatives would like to add physical education requirements to the Act's upcoming reauthorization. To that end, they have introduced the Fitness Integrated with Teaching Kids (FIT Kids) Act, H.R. 3257.

"The bill would add physical education to the multiple measures for determining accountability under NCLB, offering schools another way to meet their adequate yearly progress while promoting physical activity and nutritional education for students. States would be measured on their progress toward meeting a national goal for required physical education recommended by the Centers for Disease Control of 150 minutes per week in elementary schools and 225 minutes per week for students in middle and high schools."

School districts and states would also be asked to report on students' physical activity and help promote healthy lifestyles. Studies have shown that the most physically active and healthy students often achieve the greatest academic success, which is what prompted the introduction of the FIT Kids Act.

Labels: legislation, schools, physical_education

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The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based in Princeton, New Jersey, has committed $500 million to reversing the effects of childhood obesity. The foundation has announced that it hopes to reach this goal by the year 2015.

"If we don't act to reverse this alarming trend, we're in danger of raising the first generation of American children who will live sicker and die younger than the generation before them. Preventing obesity during childhood is critical, because habits that last into adulthood frequently are formed during youth."

The RWJ Foundation will take a three-pronged approach to the fight against obesity; building an evidence base, encouraging action in communities and schools, and advocating for the prevention of childhood obesity.

Read more at RWJF.org.

Labels: schools, community, advocacy

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Some Long Island school districts, in an effort to combat childhood obesity, have banned cupcakes and other sugary foods in the classrooms. At least eight school districts will no longer allow unhealthy treats at classroom birthday celebrations.

"The strict diet rules could also affect such school traditions as bake sales and teachers handing out candy as classroom rewards. In place of cupcakes, school districts are considering healthier foods and games to celebrate birthdays."

Some parents, however, feel the step is too extreme and are calling the move "Big Brother paternalism".

Mount Bachelor Academy private high school offers the Lifestep Curriculum to help teens find their path in life.

Labels: nutrition, healthy_eating, schools

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An obesity prevention program called 5-2-1-Go! has been found to not only help prevent obesity, but reduce the risk of eating disorders among middle school girls. About 4% of girls who did not participate in the program developed disordered eating and weight loss methods, compared to just 1% of girls who did participate.

"The results suggest that it may be possible for school-based programs to help prevent obesity and eating disorder symptoms in adolescent girls."

The authors of the study feel further research is needed to determine if other obesity programs produce the same or similar results.

Labels: schools, prevention, girls

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Vending machines are as common in schools as notebooks and gymnasiums. But the food offered in vending machines is often equally high in both calories and fat grams. Now, Solana Beach-based natural food company YoNaturals Inc. has offered free vending machines and installation to local schools.

"The company's biggest target is public schools. The company hopes to clear out unhealthy snacks on campuses and contribute to the fight against childhood obesity and early-onset diabetes."

The vending machines will contain natural and organic food and snacks ranging in price from 75 cents to two dollars.

Read more at SDBJ.com.

Labels: healthy_eating, schools, vending_machines

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Susan Rubin and Amy Kalafa, two moms who are frustrated by the lack of nutritional value in most school food, have started a food fight. But rather than throw mashed potatoes, they're throwing punches - in the form of a documentary called "Two Angry Moms".

"[Kalafa] was inspired by a state agricultural official who once said that it would take 2 million angry moms to change school food in the U.S. The women are fighting to remove foods such as chicken nuggets, French fries, cookies, candy, chips, doughnuts, snack cakes and sugary drinks from school vending machines and cafeterias."

Some school officials are pushing back against the documentary, citing cafeteria and vending machine numerous recent changes in thousands of school districts across the country. Though Kalafa acknowledges that there have been many positive changes, she says schools still have a long way to go.

Read more at LansingStateJournal.com.

Labels: schools, education, parents

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The U.S. will spend over $1 billion on nutrition education for school children. Despite that, obesity problems are steadily increasing.

"...an Associated Press review of scientific studies examining 57 such programs found mostly failure. Just four showed any real success in changing the way children eat  or any promise as weapons against the growing epidemic of childhood obesity."

National obesity rates among children ages 6- to 11-years old have increased to nearly five times what they were in the 1970s, and tripled among teenagers. Most doctors agree that, though childhood obesity programs often target schools, parents have the biggest influence over what their kids eat.

Read more at Boston.com.

Labels: nutrition, schools, education

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Dole Food Company, Inc has become the first (and so far the only) produce company to sign the Memorandum of Understanding created by the Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Memorandum sets forth industry guidelines on foods that are sold in schools.

"The Dole Nutrition Institute will collaborate with the Alliance on school demonstration projects that promote student acceptability of fruits and vegetables, provide food service staff with training on preparing and serving healthier food items, and communicate recommended nutritional practices within the educational setting and to parents."

Dole will also partner with the Alliance in identifying schools in which fruits and vegetables need to be made more readily available. Read more at Home.Businesswre.com.

Labels: nutrition, healthy_eating, schools

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A seminar this past Tuesday focused on teaching Head Start administrators about a new project being used to combat childhood obesity. The program is called "I am Learning, I am Moving" and uses songs to get children up and moving.

"[Dr. Linda] Carson said a big reason childhood obesity has reached a crisis mode in our country is physical inactivity. 'Our children need to be encouraged to be physically active', Carson said."

The program also stresses healthy choices for meals and snacks. Read more at CBS46.com.

Schools can help kids get an education in fitness, nutrition, and living a health lifestyle. Read Getting an Education in Fitness to see what schools can do to help combat childhood obesity.

Labels: schools, education, fitness

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The California legislature has passed two bills that take effect this Sunday and are intended to impose tougher nutrition standards in public schools. One of the bills implements stricter nutrition standards for food; the other does the same for beverages.

"The school nutrition bills grew out of former Sen. Martha Escutia's struggles with gestational diabetes when she had her second child eight years ago. Her research on diabetes and its links to obesity led to a 6-and-a-half-year campaign against school junk food."

The standards for food limit the amount of salt, saturated fat, sugar and calories a snack food can contain; while the beverage bill requires than at least half the drinks sold at schools are healthy and something other than soda.

Read more at MohaveDailyNews.com.

Labels: nutrition, healthy_eating, schools

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Since 2004, Schools on the Move... Step Club has been encouraging kids and parents to walk 20 to 30 minutes twice a week before class. Now, a $40,000 grant from St. John's Foundation for Community Health will ensure the program continues.

"Participants receive incentives as they achieve different levels in the program. About 2,000 elementary students and their parents participated in the 2006-07 school year, said Sandra Pratt, community recreation services administrator."

Six of the 24 Springfield, Missouri elementary schools participated during this last school year. Each school had at least 100 kids and parents walking together on a regular basis. Read more at News-Leader.com.

Labels: schools, exercise, incentives

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School playgrounds and recreational facilities could play a major role in helping to combat childhood obesity - but only if they remain open and accessible, says a recent RAND corporation study.

In many low-income areas where there is limited or no access to neighborhood parks, children are often heavier and more sedentary. Access to playgrounds, basketball courts and paved playing surfaces - such as those found in schools - could help to increase opportunities for physical activity. But many schools are closing their doors and their playground areas on weekends, researchers found.

Of those areas observed in the study, Washington/Baltimore, Tucson, and New Orleans schools were least likely to have unlocked schools with accessible facilities.

Labels: schools, exercise, playgrounds

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The Allen School District in Texas is planning to re-introduce a school route that many modern-day kids aren't familiar with: a walking trail. The plan is to construct a concrete trail that joins with an existing pedestrian underpass.

"'The whole point is to reduce traffic and increase childhood health,' [Kelly McGinnis] said. McGinnis cited studies from the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that show a drop in children walking or biking to school and an increase in obesity rates, diabetes, asthma and other health issues."

The new trail would give kids a safe path, away from busy streets, while simultaneously reducing traffic during common drop-off and pick-up times. Read more at Courier-Gazette.com.

Wellspring Texas is the first Wellspring weight loss program in the Southwest where boys and girls, work with a highly motivated staff to become long-term weight controllers while having an amazing summer! Learn more about Wellspring Texas >>

Labels: schools, texas, childhood_health

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Federal school meal programs have had to adhere to specific standards for years, but food and snacks that aren't part of a federal program have not. Today, U.S. Health Officials took their first steps to correct this and improve the overall health and nutritional value of food, beverages, and snacks offered in public schools.

"The committee authoring this report first divided foods and beverages into two tiers, based on how well they conform to the 2005 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Tier 1 foods and beverages provide at least one serving of fruit, vegetable and/or whole grains or non fat/low-fat dairy. Tier 2 items do not meet Tier 1 specifications but aren't entirely outside dietary intake recommendations. These might include baked potato chips, low-sodium whole wheat crackers or animal crackers."

Lisa Harper Mallonee, a registered dietician, says the recommendations are wonderful but also emphasized the importance of getting schools and parents working to implement the recommendations. Read more online.

Labels: nutrition, schools, health_officials

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With the growing epidemic of childhood obesity, Florida legislators are trying to help the children of their state by requiring elementary students get at least 2 ½ hours a week of physical education physical education. The purposed bill would also require that junior high students get a minimum of 3 hours and 45 minutes of PE a week.

"'Obesity is becoming an epidemic and not only the state of Florida but nationally,' says Rep. Will Weatherford. 'I think this is an opportunity for us to really tackle it at the early stages... and we're talking about elementary school kids.'"

State legislators are working with the American Heart Association to make sure kids of the Sunshine State get the time they need to exercise while at school. Read more online.

Labels: legislation, schools, states

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It's easy to blame schools for the childhood obesity epidemic. After all, until recently, unhealthy snacks and beverages were available to children both during the school day and after school. But according to new research from Ohio State University, school provides a structured environment similar to the workweek for adults, in which students have less access to food, healthier choices of food, and more activity than they do at home.

The study used data from a survey of over 5,000 students throughout the United States and found that BMI measurements of overweight children rose more than three times faster during summer vacation than during the school year. Interestingly, those with racial and ethnic predisposition for obesity had higher BMIs than those without racial and ethnic predisposition only during the summer - not during the school year.

Study authors conclude that while schools can do a better job in teaching children about healthy food and activity choices, the major part of the childhood obesity problem lies outside of school.

Labels: schools, education, body_mass_index

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Now that schools are finally tackling the unhealthy lunch problem and banning sweetened drinks from vending machines, we can all breathe a sigh of relief. Or maybe not. Many children bring packed lunches to school, with the majority falling short of healthy by a long shot.

If your child carries her lunch to school, how does it measure up? Ideally, you should pack small portions of foods from a variety of food groups: fruit and vegetables, nuts and meat, grains (preferably whole-wheat) and low fat dairy. Try some of these kid-pleasing ideas:

• A slice of turkey in a whole wheat tortilla wrap with lettuce and tomatoes
• Wheat crackers with low fat cheese
• Whole wheat pita with hummus
• Sliced apples with low fat peanut butter (if school doesnt have a nut free policy)
• Cut up raw veggies with low fat dip
• Small salad with sliced strawberries on top
• Deviled egg
• Small carton of low fat yogurt
• A handful of almonds or other nuts or soy nuts
• Soup or baked beans kept warm in a small thermos.

There should be no more (and probably less!) than one treat in the lunch box. Fresh fruit or a pudding made with low fat milk should suffice.

Labels: nutrition, schools, healthy eating

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The Connecticut State Senate has approved legislation that bans soda from the state’s schools. The legislation is part of the state’s overall attempts to obesity among children and teens.

“Schools would not be permitted to sell regular to diet soda or electrolyte replacement drinks such as Gatorade under the bill. A narrow exception would allow sales at concession stands at school-sponsored events on weekends or after school.” (Source: Norwalk Citizen)

Schools will only be allowed to sell milk, soy or rice milk, and fruit and vegetable drinks in vending machines. The bill faced strong opposition by those who feel the state has no right to dictate food and beverage selections in local school districts. Governor M. Jodi Rell is expected to sign the bill into law.

 

Labels: sodas, schools, prevention

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

Third-grader Cameron Collins doesn’t much care that he can run a mile in under seven minutes, or that he’s able to focus better in class. He’s walked 120 miles over the course of the school year for one simple reason: prizes.

“The crowning achievement in the Feelin’ Good Mileage Club at West Elementary in Lancaster is one Collins long has surpassed. On Friday, 111 students who topped 26.2 miles got to throw a pie in the faces of the gym teacher and principal.” [Source: Zanesville Times Recorder]

Schools across Ohio have found creative, inexpensive ways to encourage physical activity in their students. In addition, the Ohio General Assembly has passed the Healthy Choices for Healthy Children act, which raises school nutritional standards and creates a pilot program requiring students to get 30 minutes of exercise per day.

 

Labels: schools, prevention

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 0 Comments

When middle schools offer healthy foods in their cafeterias and add more hours of physical education, student rates of obesity and diabetes go down, according to a major study from Temple University.

• Researchers studied 4,600 children for three years.
• The average age of the students was 11 years old, and they attended 63 middle schools.
• There were no interventions at the 21 schools used as a control group.
• In the remaining 42 schools, students had healthier food choices in their cafeterias, including foods that are high in fiber and low in fat, fruits and vegetables, and water or low-fat milk as beverages.
• They also received a minimum of 225 minutes of physical education every ten days and educational programs promoting healthy behaviors.

Overweight students in the schools that had the interventions were 21percent less likely to become obese. Although all the schools in the study had similar declines in the percentage of overweight and obese students, schools that had the interventions showed improvements in obesity, measurement waistlines and fasting insulin levels.

The study appeared in the New England Journal of Medicine.
 

Labels: schools

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As concern about childhood obesity continues, some schools have begun requiring that students be weighed and measured to have their Body Mass Index (BMI) calculated. If a child’s BMI is high, a “report card” is sent home to the parents. Some feel that this goes beyond a school’s authority and responsibility.

“Calculating body mass index has nothing to do with teaching students history and English and math – things that public schools… would do well to focus on. it presumes – with no compelling rationale – that teachers are reliable trustees for health-related information, and that the public school system will offer reliable follow-up for those children deemed to be overweight or physically unfit.” [Source: Fox News]

Opponents of the practice also worry that it will further stigmatize kids who are overweight, and no real benefit will come as a result of the assessments.

 

Labels: schools, bmi, body_mass_index

Posted By: Stefanie Hamilton 1 Comment

School uniforms for preschoolers now come in plus sizes in Great Britain.

• Marks and Spencer will sell plus-sized uniforms for ages 3 to 16 years old.
• Three-year-olds can find pants with 23-inch waistlines, a size usually worn by eight-year-olds.
• The largest sizes feature waistlines up to 41 inches.

"It is a small online trial running in response to customer demand," said a spokesperson for the company. "Marks and Spencer is the leading school wear retailer, and we will make sure our school wear is accessible for children of all shapes and sizes."

Labels: schools, students, pre-school

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