SC schools taking steps to combat obesity
(West Columbia) August 9, 2006 - Studies show the number of overweight children in South Carolina has tripled since the 1960s. A new state law aims to reverse that trend. The Student Health and Nutrition Act goes into effect this school year.
It's changing the way your child eats and exercises in school.
Oranges, pineapple, hamburger steak and rice is part of the new menu at Saluda River Academy for the arts in West Columbia.
Cafeteria manager Cynthia Dantzler talks about the change, "We've taken out a lot of the oils we use in the foods and cutting a lot of the fats out of the foods."
Dantzler says the've nixed most fried foods and sugary desserts like "the peach cobbler."
Now, they push vegetables. They have portion sizes. They're also using 100 percent juice, lots of milk, and they're ignoring complaints about changes.
Some of the kids, according to Dantzler, don't like the new choices, "They've complained about the chips. They don't like the baked chips, they'd rather have regular chips."
Under the act, elementary schoolers will spend more time in physical education. K through fifth graders now do an hour of PE a week. That's up 10 minutes from last year. Next year it'll move to an hour and a half.
Gym teacher Pamela Baker says the number of overweight children keeps going up, "There are a few who find it difficult even getting up stairs."
Baker likes the new law, "I think instilling those values will help them when they get older, and create a physically active lifestyle for their whole life, not just as children."
Back in the cafeteria, WIS asked question about one of the choices. Are corn dogs nutritious? The school says they're baked now, not fried.
Friday is an exception to the menu, "We still serve french fries on Fridays, and pizza. That's their favorite."
Reported by Jennifer Miskewicz
Childhood Obesity Diet Article
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