Schools fight childhood obesity

Since more and more children are getting obese due to the modern lifestyle we're leading, it is necessary to fight obesity even during childhood.  Read on:

Childhood obesity is quickly becoming a national epidemic, having tripled over the past three decades. This is particularly troubling because the extra pounds often start children on the path to health problems that were once confined to adults, such as diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. Childhood obesity can also lead to poor self-esteem and depression.

“We are trying to teach kids to eat healthy,” said Bernadette McDowell, the school nurse at Winman Junior High School in Warwick.

One of the best strategies to reduce childhood obesity is to improve the diet and exercise habits of the entire family. If children are allowed to eat anything they want at home, namely fast food and meals lacking vegetable components, they are not going to make healthy choices on their own.

“Who thinks they have the healthiest lunch?” University of Rhode Island nursing student Nikki Manningham asked a group of Winman students.

They quickly sprung to their feet, raising their hands and shouting, “I have an apple, I have carrots.”

As part of Manningham’s community nursing rotation, she has created a project aimed at teaching the students about the food pyramid and encouraging healthy eating.

“Even since the first day I came here they know I have a box of presents so it encourages them to eat better,” said Manningham.

Manningham carries around a box of bracelets with food pyramid flash cards. One card has a shrimp on it; one has bread and another broccoli. The students then have to identify which food group each item falls into. If they get at least three out of the five questions correct, they get a bracelet.

“I have to do a project that would better the children,” said Manningham.

Manningham says the purpose of the project is to help the students gain a better understanding of healthy eating. She hopes that having her in the cafeteria once a week repetitively asking questions, the students will pick some of that information up and carry it on with them.

“I’m surprised at how many people are bringing carrots and celery now,” said McDowell.

Manningham is also encouraging the students to ask their parents for healthy choices when they go shopping.

“The parents get what the kids want, so if they asks for fruits and vegetables that’s what they’ll buy,” said Manningham.

McDowell believes that if the students have healthy choices then they will make them. The state of Rhode Island agrees.

Beginning in September of 2009, the School Meals Initiative (SMI) Review Process will incorporate the Rhode Island Nutrition Requirements 2009 (RINR 2009). These requirements include more whole grains, more fruits and vegetables, and less sodium. Federally reimbursable meals and snacks provided through the School Breakfast Program (SBP), the National School Lunch Program (NSLP), and the After School Snack Program will have to meet all current federal meal requirements and these more stringent requirements.

Rhode Island is the only state in the country that has adopted such stringent mandates on their school meals.

“The state is piloting this program. The students must have three sides, with one fresh green or orange vegetable. All grains are whole wheat,” said Donna Walker, a supervisor with Sodexo.

Sodexo is one of the largest school food service providers in the country. They provide the school foods to 13 school districts in the state, including Warwick, Cranston and West Warwick.

As part of his ongoing effort to improve the quality of meals in schools, Senator Jack Reed visited Wakefield School in West Warwick on Tuesday to see the changes Sodexo and the school staff has taken to do just that.

“If children have a good healthy balanced meal, they will do better in school,” said Reed.

In August, Reed helped pass a child nutrition bill – the Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act – in the Senate. This legislation will increase funding for school meal programs so that more kids will have access to a stable source of nutritious food. The bill has yet to be voted on in the U.S. House of Representatives, but action is expected shortly after Thanksgiving. First Lady Michelle Obama has made passing this legislation the centerpiece of her “Let's Move!” campaign.

“The bill passed unanimously in the Senate so I would hope they [Congress] would pass it as well. This is an issue that affects every community and every child,” said Reed.

If the bill passes, it could mean an additional $3 million per year in federal money to help local schools throughout the state serve healthier meals.

“The cost of school lunch here is $1.60 and we provide students with a square meal that not only meets nutritional guidelines but also tastes good. I personally sample the school lunch every day and am committed to ensuring that all of our students have access to high-quality meals so they can learn and thrive,” said Wakefield Hills Elementary School Principal Keith Remillard.

Each year, Rhode Island receives $29 million in federal funding to help nearly 24,000 children participate in the School Breakfast Program and 79,000 children participate in the National School Lunch Program each day.

Rhode Island has been a leader when it comes to nutrition standards for school meals and this bill will provide additional resources for school breakfast and lunch programs, and could significantly expand innovative after school meal programs too.

“During difficult economic times, this program will provide important stability to thousands of children who have trouble getting a nutritious meal at home. This will help ensure that more children are well-nourished and prepared to learn,” Reed said.

If this legislation passes, more Rhode Island schools will be able to participate in farm-to-school programs to educate kids about food and add fresh, local produce to cafeteria menus.

Sodexo participates in the Farm Fresh program, which ensures that there is at least one item on the menu every day that is from a local farm. They get apples from Pippin Orchard and squash from Confreda Farms, both in Cranston.

“Good food is something that will be a lifelong value. This is just a win, win situation,” said Reed.

Read more: Warwick Beacon - Schools fight childhood obesity


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