Healthy eating in school
Introduction
Schools have a big part to play when it comes to helping kids eat right – so just what are they doing to keep kids fit and at a healthy weight? Get the facts here…
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Junking the junk food at school
A new report from the Centers for Disease Control reckons schools are making progress when it comes to promoting
better nutrition and more
physical activity among kids – both key for turning the rising tide of
child obesity.
“Schools have made significant progress in removing junk food and offering more physical activity opportunities,” said CDC director Dr Julie Gerberding. "Our goal with this report is to provide health and education officials with useful information that will help them develop and improve programs that can have significant benefit for our school-aged children.”
12% of elementary schools, 19% of middle schools and 24% of high schools still offer kids brand-name fast food such as Pizza Hut and Taco Bell
According to the report, 32% of US states now ban junk food from vending machines, compared to only 8% of states in 2000; and the number of schools whose vending machines offer cookies, cakes and other high-fat baked goods has fallen to 25% from 38% in the same timeframe. That’s still a quarter of schools, so there’s room for improvement – but where salads are concerned the figures are better, with three quarters of schools now offering salad-based lunch options compared with only half in 2000; and just 19% offering French fries compared to 40% in 2000. Where salty foods and juice are concerned, not so good: 77% of high school vending machines offer soda or drinks that aren't 100% juice, and 61% offer potato chips and other high-fat, salty snacks. Under half of all schools offer bottled water in their vending machines.
The improvements aren’t as impressive when it comes to exercise, however. Almost a quarter of schools don’t mandate physical education for their students and only 4% of elementary, 8% of middle and 2% of high schools provide daily PE for all grades. The less encouraging figures where exercise is concerned reflect the fact that while many school districts require it, school have found it difficult to fit PE into the school day.
Supernanny Team
Find Out More
America on the Move Log on for details on how small, specific changes in food and physical activity levels can have a positive effect on your child’s health and weight.