Obesity war’s latest battlefront: the school cafeteria School nutrition is activists’ passion

There’s a cartoon circulating among nutritionists these days: two really overweight parents — one sprawled on the couch in front of the television with a soda resting on his belly, the other dishing up ice cream in the kitchen — and their chubby daughter sitting on the floor, amid chip bags, pizza boxes and cookie wrappers. The caption reads: "Ahh … it’s nice to be home … the only food they serve at school these days is good for you."

Schools weren’t always citadels of health. For years, they were more like junk food coliseums. Now, as this school year begins, cafeteria menus are being scrutinized as closely as the curriculum in preparation for compliance with recently passed legislation to better students’ diets. School officials from Santa Clara to Sonoma counties are planning inventive programs to rid their halls of high-calorie and fatty foods.

Stacy Finz, Chronicle Staff Writer

Full Story: http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2006/08/28/MNGHDKQHJV1.DTL

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Help Kids Avoid ‘Nature Deficit Disorder’

By Eat Right Montana

Journalist Richard Louv recently coined the phrase "nature deficit
disorder" to describe the increasing alienation from the natural world
that so many children in today’s electronic age are experiencing.

Disorder or not, too much time spent in front of the TV, computer, or
video games and not enough time being physically active outdoors can
have negative physical and mental implications for children and teens.

It’s old news that being physically active is a key element in living a
longer and healthier life. But in recent years, so much more has been
discovered about the benefits of active living. Physical activity can:

* Reduce stress;

* Improve self-esteem and feelings of well-being;

* Help build and maintain bones, muscles and joints;

* Build endurance and muscle strength;

* Enhance flexibility and posture;

* Help manage weight;

* Reduce feelings of depression and anxiety; and

* Enhance academic performance.

Tips for Motivating Kids to Be Active

* Make the activity fun! The main reason children take part in
physical activity is enjoyment.

* Take change one step at a time. Make small changes toward an
active lifestyle, such as taking a 10-minute activity break from
homework, watching TV, or playing computer or video games.

* Become a role model! If the whole family is involved in
activity, the children will become more physically active. Take a
family walk or bike ride – what a great way to spend quality time
together.

* Research activities in your community or school. Many team,
club, and intramural opportunities exist for children.

* Make discovery, not fitness, your goal. Measure your milestones
by the number of new trails discovered, not pounds lost.

Parents Can Help: Get Involved in Community Change!

* Find out if there is a "Safe Routes to School" organization in
your community and get involved. This national program is dedicated to
setting up an environment where kids can walk or bike to school safely.

The national Safe Routes to School Web site is at:
http://safety.fhwa.dot.gov/saferoutes/

* Volunteer to be involved with the School Wellness Committee at
your child’s school. This group will carry out activities that support
the school’s policies regarding provision of ample opportunity for
physical activity and healthy eating.

(Eat Right Montana is a coalition promoting healthy eating and active
lifestyles. Sponsors are the American Heart Association, Blue Cross Blue
Shield of Montana, Montana Beef Council, Montana Chapter of the American
Academy of Pediatrics, Montana Department of Public Health and Human
Services, Montana Dietetic Association, MSU Extension Service, Montana
Office of Public Instruction, Montana Team Nutrition Program, North
Dakota WIC Program, and Western Dairy Council.

For more information,
visit http://www.montanadieteticassociation.org.)