Obesity In Children & Schools

Children and adolescents of all ethnicities and races are part of a nationwide obesity epidemic. In the past three decades, obesity rates have more than doubled among kids six to 11 and more than tripled for those 12 to 19. Critics point to too much junk food and not enough exercise in schools as part of the problem. Excess weight puts children at higher risk for serious health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure and type-2 diabetes. Healthy kids typically are more able to succeed in school.

School's Role

Because children and adolescents spend a major part of their day at school, teachers have an excellent opportunity to instruct students on the importance of healthy eating and regular exercise. Schools, by default, play a key role in shaping a child's eating habits because that's where students consume a significant portion of their daily meals and snacks. Children also have opportunities to be physically active at school by participating in recess, physical education classes or organized sports.

Junk Food

At least one study suggests that banning or reducing junk food in schools, such as cookies, candies and soft drinks, can slow childhood obesity. A San Francisco State University study looked at eight years of weight-related data from fifth and seventh grade students in California public schools. Before junk food was curtailed, the percentage of overweight students was increasing for both boys and girls. During the three years that followed the junk-food reduction, the percentage of overweight children was significantly reduced. Only one group showed little difference: fifth-grade girls.

Limited Exercise

Simultaneously, as obesity rates have skyrocketed, schools have cut recess and/or physical education programs that could help kids lose weight. To reverse the obesity trend, the American Heart Association recommends that elementary students get a minimum of 150 minute -- 2.5 hours -- of exercise a week. For middle school students: a minimum of 225 minutes -- 3.75 hours -- per week. The association also recommends that students complete a physical education program before graduating.

Government Help

To help fight the obesity epidemic, Congress passed legislation in 2011 to improve the food served at schools. The bill provides funding to buy better and healthier offerings. The emphasis is on adding more fruits and vegetables and fewer fatty-food options. Outside the cafeteria, the bill calls for reducing the availability of high-fat and high-sugar food as well as sugary drinks in school vending machines.