As the obesity epidemic in America continues to grow, more of today’s youth are struggling with being overweight. According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of overweight children has more than quadrupled since 1970. Fifteen percent of today’s children and adolescents are overweight.Schools are a key setting for healthy nutrition and physical activity strategies and are working with the Department of Agriculture to promote physical activity and nutrition education. Through the USDA’s “Healthier Us” School Challenge, schools are recognized for the changes they have made in improving their school nutrition environment, improving the quality of food served, and providing students with healthier, more nutritious choices.
Parents can also play an active role in ensuring that their child is eating healthy school meals. Parents are encouraged to eat a breakfast or lunch at school to see first hand what the meals are like. Visit the school cafeteria and get to know the staff and consider volunteering to organize a tasting party to introduce new and nutritious foods to kids.
Work with the school PTA to make sure parents’ opinions about healthy food choices are heard. Make sure that your children and teens appreciate how healthy meals influence their mind as well as their body.
I agree with everything you are saying ... I also think that unless the school is a providing a really great healthy lunch program that kids should be bringing lunch most of the time. My own kids bring 4 times a week and choose one day to buy (there is an occasional week they buy 2x). I have a lunch website with lots of healthy bring from home things for inspiration
ReplyDeletehttp://www.lunchtaker.com
:) Amy