Friday, October 19, 2007

New York Times Reports Schools Improve on Nutrition & Fitness

A survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention elicited cheers from public health and education officials concerning schools taking active steps to reduce obesity and encourage nutrition.

The survey, which is conducted every six years, shows that more schools than six years ago offer salads and vegetables and that fewer permit bake sales. More states and school districts insist that elementary schools schedule recess and that physical education teachers have at least undergraduate training. More states have enacted policies to prohibit smoking at school and to require courses on pregnancy prevention.

Perhaps most striking, 30 percent of school districts have banned junk food from school vending machines, up from 4 percent in 2000. Schools offering fried potatoes in their cafeterias declined, to 19 percent from 40 percent.

To read the full story from the New York Times, click here.

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