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Obesity Discussion · 06-26-07, 08:45 PM

Childhood obesity and schools in New York
EDITORIAL - 06/26/2007

Gov. Eliot Spitzer wants to put New York’s kids on a better diet during the day and ban almost all junk food and unhealthy sodas and drinks in schools. But before anybody starts shouting about the intrusive arm of government trying to tell us how to raise kids, consider this:
One in every four children in New York state is obese, according to state health estimates, and as a nation, we’re doing no better. In the past 35 years, the percentages of obesity in pre-schoolers and teenagers have doubled in both age groups. Worse, it has tripled in children between the ages of 6 and 11. These facts from health officials at the National Institute of Medicine provide more than enough evidence that America’s children are in a health crisis.
As a society, we’ve let it happen. As a society, we need to fix it.
So Spitzer is exactly on the right track with an extremely detailed proposal to control what kids are eating and drinking in New York schools; and giving them high standards to follow when it comes to their health.
But the governor must make sure the plan gives schools more leeway in how they try to curb obesity among children. That would improve chances that the regulation is approved by the Legislature.
Some question whether Spitzer’s proposals could counter unhealthy eating habits children pick up at home or undo the harm done by fast food companies that offer “super size” meals and sodas large enough to feed a whole family, never mind one person. All valid points. It might be impossible for children to get away from the availability of foods and drinks that are ruining their health when they are out of school. But in the place where they spend the greatest number of their waking hours for 12 years of their lives, it’s a no-brainer what the lesson should be: Eat well, be well. The Poughkeepsie Journal/AP

Childhood obesity and schools

06-26-07, 08:45 PM	#1 (permalink)
Obesity Discussion Administrator Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Phoenix, AZ Posts: 7,631 Weight Statistics 8/1/2006 Start Date: 185 lb Start Weight: 152 lb Current Weight: 155 lb Goal Weight: -33 lb Weight Loss: 5/1/2007 Goal Date:	Childhood obesity and schools in New York Childhood obesity and schools in New York EDITORIAL - 06/26/2007 Gov. Eliot Spitzer wants to put New York’s kids on a better diet during the day and ban almost all junk food and unhealthy sodas and drinks in schools. But before anybody starts shouting about the intrusive arm of government trying to tell us how to raise kids, consider this: One in every four children in New York state is obese, according to state health estimates, and as a nation, we’re doing no better. In the past 35 years, the percentages of obesity in pre-schoolers and teenagers have doubled in both age groups. Worse, it has tripled in children between the ages of 6 and 11. These facts from health officials at the National Institute of Medicine provide more than enough evidence that America’s children are in a health crisis. As a society, we’ve let it happen. As a society, we need to fix it. So Spitzer is exactly on the right track with an extremely detailed proposal to control what kids are eating and drinking in New York schools; and giving them high standards to follow when it comes to their health. But the governor must make sure the plan gives schools more leeway in how they try to curb obesity among children. That would improve chances that the regulation is approved by the Legislature. Some question whether Spitzer’s proposals could counter unhealthy eating habits children pick up at home or undo the harm done by fast food companies that offer “super size” meals and sodas large enough to feed a whole family, never mind one person. All valid points. It might be impossible for children to get away from the availability of foods and drinks that are ruining their health when they are out of school. But in the place where they spend the greatest number of their waking hours for 12 years of their lives, it’s a no-brainer what the lesson should be: Eat well, be well. The Poughkeepsie Journal/AP Childhood obesity and schools __________________