Solving Childhood Obesity Remains Ultimate Priority | Your Health ...

From The Herald & News?..

In the battle over obesity in children and teens, where do schools fit in?

?It?s a big challenge,? said Kelly Slezak, school nurse for the Klamath County School District and co-chair of the wellness committee. ?We have the kids six to eight hours a day, depending on when they get there in the morning. If we can teach them healthy eating habits and healthy exercise habits, they can take those home with them. They get excited and maybe the parents will see. It can start to become lifelong habits.?

Slezak said she thinks some children are overweight or obese because of a lack of exercise and poor eating habits.

?I think a lot of them, when they go home their parents are busy, they?re working. (The kids) are sitting playing video games, watching TV, eating whatever they want,? she said.

Poverty could play a roll in poor nutrition, too. Slezak said foods like Top Ramen and macaroni and cheese, or even fast food can be cheaper than fruits and vegetables. Organic fruits and vegetables can be even more expensive.

?Our responsibility is to show kids and demonstrate to kids and walk with kids in a healthy manner so they can learn to make good food choices and good exercise choices,? said James Huntsman, curriculum director for Klamath County School District and co-chair of the wellness committee.

Just as when seniors graduate after 13 years of school they are supposed to be ready for a job, college or the military, Huntsman said they should be ready to make good choices when it comes to their nutrition.

?Our role is to provide healthy food and food the students want to eat,? said Kathy Cole of Chartwells School Dining Services, which serves Klamath Falls City Schools.

By serving meals with fruits, vegetables and lowfat or nonfat milk the schools are providing a healthy meal, she said.

Bill Feusahrens, personnel director for city schools, said it is also important to keep kids active.

?There is a child obesity problem,? he said. ?Thirty to 35 percent of students are overweight or obese. We?re aware of that and want students to have healthy active lives. That?s our goal.?

Both districts have wellness committees dedicated to nutrition and keeping students active.

?Our responsibility is to do the best we can,? said Jean Doig, Klamath County School District food service supervisor. ?We?ve only got so many hours in the kitchen to be making these dishes. It?s a big role for us.?

She said most of the nutrition education happens in the elementary grades. By the time students reach junior high and high school, they understand nutrition and its importance.

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Source: http://www.lensaunders.com/wp/?p=7672

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