Originally published January 9 2006
California schools get advice on how to improve students' nutrition
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
The Mercury News Editorial suggests methods for improving the nutrition and exercise programs of California's educational system, as a means of promoting health and curbing the obesity epidemic that now surges through the younger population.
And they won't slim down and get in shape in the blink of an eye.
What's needed is a comprehensive campaign in which the medical community joins forces with lawmakers and educators to help parents and children learn the value of healthier food and exercise habits.
The report card, which assessed the state of children in California, noted that 28 percent of fifth-, seventh- and ninth-graders are overweight, an increase of 6 percent since 2001.
And two-thirds of California teens drink soda daily.
Half eat fast food daily, and only 25 percent eat the recommended five servings of fruits and vegetables per day.
� Re-establishing physical education as a daily priority for all children in public schools.
Studies show that 70 percent of youth who participate in sports as children quit playing by the time they are 13.
� Building support for a massive education program on the value of healthy food choices.
� Considering expanding subsidies to bring more nutritious foods to schools and low-income neighborhoods.
� Exploring the Institute of Medicine's recommendation that food-and-beverage companies voluntarily promote healthier diets or face mandatory bans on marketing high-calorie, low-nutrition products on children's television shows.
The institute's report notes that firms now spend $10 billion a year marketing unhealthy choices to children, and it also recommends creating simpler, easier-to-read labeling on food products.
Studies show that healthier, active children do better in school than their overweight, couch-potato counterparts.
Overweight children also are more likely to develop serious health problems that will only add to California's already challenging health care problems.
California's current governor may be the most physically fit in state's history.
Now the governor has the opportunity to lead the effort to make California's children the healthiest in the nation.
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