It is no secret that childhood obesity is an issue. But, are schools really taking this seriously????
The Salem News has an article, “Schools Beat the Curve on Healthy Fare,” by Ethan Forman, about local schools in Massachusetts helping in the attempt to lessen the growing number of obese students. Many schools are changing their food options in response to newly created rules by the Public Health Council and the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. These “...new school-snack-food rules, set to take effect Aug. 1, 2012, stem from a bill lawmakers passed last year to improve the nutrition of ‘competitive foods’...These foods are not sold as part of the regular lunch program...” (Forman). Many schools are proud to announce they have never or have recently stopped selling unhealthy foods. In Salem, Bentley, Carlton, Horace Mann, and Bowditch schools have received grants to purchase vegetables for snack time. It is so nice to hear that the issue of childhood obesity is being taken seriously, especially from schools right in Salem!
Source:
Forman, E. (2011, February 15). Schools Beat the Curve on Healthy Fare. The Salem News. Retrieved
from http://www.salemnews.com/local/x1248737078/Schools-beat-the-curve-on-healthy-fare
Personally, I feel that schools are headed in the right direction regarding changing the types of food that are sold. However, sometimes when items are taken away, they become more desirable. For example, if students cannot have French fries at school, will French fries become more desirable, and cause students to eat them outside of school? This will be interesting to see, and only time will tell. (Caroline)
I agree with Caroline's statement about the schools. When schools take away these desirable foods, it could result in the children wanting the foods more outside of school. There are many parents that will give into giving fast food for dinner since it is easier, faster, and cheaper than having to prepare and cook dinners. It makes you wonder if parents are just looking for an easy way out when it comes to cooking meals. It is great that the schools are trying to fight this problem. Some schools are beginning to charge extra for these unhealthy foods, like french fries. It will be interesting to see if this will help the problem. (Jen)
I agree with Caroline's statement about the schools. When schools take away these desirable foods, it could result in the children wanting the foods more outside of school. There are many parents that will give into giving fast food for dinner since it is easier, faster, and cheaper than having to prepare and cook dinners. It makes you wonder if parents are just looking for an easy way out when it comes to cooking meals. It is great that the schools are trying to fight this problem. Some schools are beginning to charge extra for these unhealthy foods, like french fries. It will be interesting to see if this will help the problem. (Jen)
Some questions we have are:
1. After the new food guidelines are passed in August, will students accept the changes?
2. How strict are the rules?
3. Will schools maintain the sale of healthier foods years after the guidelines have been created?
Some possible service learning projects are educating students in our field placement about nutrition and exercise, educating younger children in our neighborhoods about nutrition and exercise, and educating our younger family members about nutrition and exercise.
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This picture is taken from the article in The Salem News. It shows Tom Powers, the director of food services for Danvers schools, with vending machines that sell healthy items. |
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