Your Obese Child & School Nutrition.

1. Your Obese Child & School Nutrition
Good Nutrition in School Can Help to Fight Childhood Obesity
Perhaps you are trying to help your child lose weight, or you feel he or she may be in danger
of becoming overweight or unhealthy because of their eating and exercise habits
.
If so, it is important that you consider the impact of your childs time at school as you think
about what you need to change
.
As the U.S. government has studied obesity, many of their agencies have produced reports
and established guidelines to help parents and school systems understand how to make
important changes
.
These guidelines are designed to encourage our children to eat healthy foods and get plenty
of exercise
.
Across the country, schools are beginning to offer more good food choices, and look at their
physical education and extra curricular activities to ensure that they encourage good habits
.
Of course your involvement and understanding is important if your child is going to get the
right support while she or he is in school during the day
.
And, you need to ensure that your child understands the importance of CHOOSING the
healthy foods and participating in exercise programs, but the first step is to make sure these
choices are AVAILABLE to your child
.
Working with medical organizations, the USDA published a Prescription for Change, and
Healthy School Nutrition Environments
.
These reports were meant to be used by schools to improve their nutritional program
.
Here are some of the recommendations included in those reports
.
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The Serving and Dining Environment
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The Federal, State and local government must provide adequate funding for food and
eating environs to support healthy eating
.
**
Dining space will be adequate, pleasant and socially accommodating, and will
accommodate all students and staff scheduled to eat at a certain time of day
.
**
Serving areas will be sufficient to ensure that every student has access to meals with a
minimum of waiting time, so that they have plenty of time to eat before their next class
.
**
The staff and administration of the school, AND the students and parents will analyze the
current environment, working together to create a space that matches the needs of all
parties
.

2. Nutritional Concerns Regarding Meals and Foods
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Meals should comply with USDA nutritional standards and guidelines, and students should
have plenty of food choices, with new foods introduced to keep the menu interesting and
healthy
.
**
Food preparation and preferences should be varied enough to comply with various tastes
and ethnic preferences or religious requirements
.
**
Additional food and drink offered, over and above meals served, e.g. vending machines
and packaged snacks, will represent the 5 major food groups in the Food Guide Pyramid
.
**
Students must have designated lunch periods, long enough for them to get their food and
eat at a healthy pace
.
**
Lunch periods should be as close to the middle of the day as possible and should allow
time for socialization and a relaxed eating pace
.
**
All decisions made by the school system regarding the type, variety and quantity of food
and drink to be sold in the school will be based on nutritional goals and sound guidelines,
NOT on the profit the school can make
.
Nutrition and Health Focused Curriculum
**
Kindergarten through Grade 12 classes should include education and information on
healthy eating habits and the types of foods a child should eat to stay healthy and help them
grow
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Now that you understand the concerns and recommendations of the USDA and the national
medical organizations, go to a school board meeting and talk to the board members about
what they are doing to comply with these guidelines
.
If you dont know what your childs eating environment and food choices are, visit the school
and find out. Get involved with the PTA or PTO in your school system and get to work
!