Signs of Progress and Challenges Ahead
School districts across the country have ramped up their nutrition and physical activity policies to help fight childhood obesity, according to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
As of 2012, school districts have made great progress cutting back on sugary snacks and drinks and boosting physical education programs:
- 34% allowed soft drink companies to advertise soft drinks on school grounds (down from 47% in 2006).
- 43% required schools to prohibit offering junk food in vending machines (up from 30% in 2006).
- 53% provided families with school food nutrition and caloric information (up from 35% in 2000).
- 94% required elementary schools to teach physical education (up from 83% in 2006).
The CDC data is supported by stories from schools and communities across the country that are stepping up to create healthier school:
- Philadelphia has been making progress in the fight against childhood obesity by removing all sugary drinks from public school vending machines, implementing nutrition education and healthy meal guidelines, banning deep fryers, and switching from 2% milk to 1% and skim milk in the cafeteria. http://bit.ly/GzBsso
- Eastern Massachusetts’s Shape Up Somerville initiative is tackling childhood obesity through nutrition education programs in schools, after-school cooking classes, and healthier snack options for students. http://bit.ly/17XBTGz
- A parent’s advocacy group in Montgomery County, Maryland is protecting kids from sugary foods and beverages linked to childhood obesity by keeping junk food-filled vending machines locked until 30 minutes after the last bell. Read more about how the group is limiting kids’ access to unhealthy snacks: http://cbsloc.al/17k5kEl
Still, there is still work to be done to get all schools to eliminate sugary drinks and junk foods from the premises. Seventy-five percent of schools nationwide hold between one and five fundraisers per year, and fundraisers are often exempt from nutrition guidelines, meaning kids may have easy access to junk foods like candy and pizza. Also, many sporting events still sell junk food in their concession stands.
Kristin Swenor, an NEA member and math teacher at Ishpmeing High School in Michigan, has observed healthy changes in her school, but also notes challenges. “Because of a new wellness policy, candy was removed from vending machines and machines dispensing water bottles replaced pop machines at our school. However, candy is still sold at our high school sporting events, and students are not always eating the apples and bananas they’re served in the cafeteria.”
As evidenced by Kris’ experience, the first wave of instilling healthier habits in kids is often making nutritious food options available to them, and the second challenge is getting them to actually eat and enjoy fresh fruits and veggies. Read our recent blog on how patience and creativity are the keys to getting kids to love healthy foods.
We want to hear your story! Tell us about the healthy changes in your school and the challenges you still face. Tweet us @BagtheJunk, write on our Facebook wall, or leave a comment below.