“74% of middle schools and 98% of senior high schools have vending machines.” (CSPI, 2004)

Who regulates this?› The USDA’s role

What message are our kids getting by the types of foods they can buy in school?

Financial impact of selling healthier foods in schools.› Total revenues increased

Child Nutrition and WIC Reauthorization Act of 2004› Wellness policies for nutrition & PE are

required.

Schools need to be part of the solution› “Health is an academic issue” Dayle Hayes

› More absences› Lower quality of life› Weight bias and stigma› Academic performance

Program for success:› Updating the meal program menus› Enhancing serving and eating areas› Improving facilities› Student involvement

› Challenges?

Language arts linked to nutrition in “word wall” – Michigan classroom

Vending machines with healthier options› Flavored sunflower seeds, water, yogurt,

fruit Shakes, smoothies, sundaes & parfaits

with fat or sugar-free yogurt › Extremely successful in Wyoming

Dance or yoga offered during a lunch period (Source: Dayle Hayes)

Key players:› Parents› Schools› Communities› Medical Facilities› Work sites

“Until society becomes involved, we are not going to solve the problem of childhood obesity.” Mark Sperling

http://oregon.gov/DHS/ph/copi/docs/sb931obesitytaskforce2009final.pdf

Funding – must support physical education.

Healthy Schools Food marketing Farm-to-School & School Gardens Food assistance Worksites

“Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.” - Dr. Seuss

http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=Dr.+Seuss&FORM=BIFD#focal=63163831efb7ade168441645aa125464&furl=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ci.everett.ma.us%2FEverett_files%2Fmayor%2Ftemp%2Fimages%2Fbackground_gif.”