A national law that began on July 1, 2006 mandates that all schools have a health and wellness plan in place in order to help the students live healthier lives. Specifically, the bill is trying to fight against childhood obesity, and lower sugar intake in elementary and secondary age students.
Food and eating habits are learned early in life, and the government rightfully understands that the earlier they can teach children to make good eating choices, they better the possibility that they will then turn in to long term positive eating habits.
When I was in high school, my lunch typically consisted of a bag of Funyuns and a soda from the vending machines. Those vending machines were where the majority of the students got their mid-day sugar rush-er; I mean nutrition. School and government officials are now realizing that providing access to sugary, high fat, processed food items for young children is a mistake that can actually cause long term health problems.
The National Center for Health statistics reports that the percentage of elementary-age children who are considered obese has doubled since 1980 from 7 percent to 14 percent. About 85 percent of those children continue to be classified as obese for the rest of their lives. Obesity has been linked to physical complications (heart, blood, lung and bone) and psychological (self-concept) stress in adults.
The government has made a wise decision to mandate its schools to provide healthier alternatives to what has become the norm. According to CNN.com, schools are finding innovative ways to comply with the new law: “In St. Paul, students will find water, fruit juice and milk in vending machines that used to dispense soda. In Farmington, Utah, schools are holding recess before lunch so kids don’t give short shrift to their meals in the race to the playground. Teachers in Cape Girardeau, Missouri, will encounter restrictions on goodies they can give out in their classrooms. Lollipops and sodas will be no-no’s.”
I am glad to see that more physical activity is part of some schools’ plans. Children who are engaged in physical activities tend to be healthier, do better at school and interact more successfully with their peers. Increased opportunity for physical activity decreases the risk for children to become overweight and obese. Encouraging physical activity in children promotes healthy habits for their growing years and into adult life.