No More Junk Food?

Task Force Tackles Obesity in Schools

Sonia Sohaili
Mirror contributing writer
  
   Over the past two decades, adolescent obesity has tripled in the United States. Specifically in the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District (SMMUSD), a 2003 assessment of 2,736 students at nine different schools revealed that 11.6 percent of the city’s students are obese, 16.9 percent are overweight, and 34.2 percent are at risk of becoming overweight.
   The 2001 California Fitgram Tests support both the data, along with this conclusion: SMMUSD schools must employ fundamental and effective physical and nutritional education programs for students.
   In response, a task force comprised of teachers, administrators, nutritionists, students, parents, nurses and other community members, formed in 2002. The organizations involved include St. John’s Health Center, the Los Angeles Region Project LEAN, Center for Food and Justice, American Cancer Society, and several Parent Teacher Associations.
   For almost a year, the task force has been preparing a “Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy” which will “ensure that all students in the [SMMUSD] will have the opportunity to receive high quality nutritious foods while in school ... nutrition education in the classroom ... and standards based physical education and physical activity at all grade levels.”
   This policy consists of four portions: health education, nutritional services, physical education, and family and community partnerships.
   The policy’s proposed “family and community partnerships” would provide information for teachers on “appropriate foods [for] the classroom,” as well as nutritional information for all family/student groups within the district (PTA, Sports Booster Clubs, etc.). In this way, according to the task force, these groups and the individuals in them can become role models for students.
   The nutritional services segment focuses on providing a more diverse selection of healthy foods for students on all school campuses, elementary through secondary. Noting the success of the nationally recognized Farmers’ Market Salad Bar, currently served daily at District schools, and stating that “access to high quality, nutritious meals has shown to improve eating habits and overall health status,” the task force’s policy integrates additional health-conscious programs into the schools.
   The task force also recommends that all SMMUSD schools be limited to selling only foods or beverages that meet or exceed California State Senate Bill 19 guidelines, which, among other provisions, includes criteria for nutritionally sound food to be sold at public schools. Wiping out greasy pizza, chocolate chip cookies, sugary muffins, vending machine foods and other student favorites sold on District campuses will drastically improve student health, according to the report.
   The physical activity segment would improve sport and recreation programs, and require certified physical education teachers at every SMMUSD school, as well as getting students up and moving during roll calls, with aerobics or other standing exercises.
   Lastly, the nutrition education section of the policy promotes such techniques as using the Healthy Kids’ Survey to monitor students’ nutritional behavior. Nutrition education programs would be integrated into the standards-based curricula (science, math, etc.) in grades K-12. Such education will be incorporated through The Health Champions Program — a nutrition program supported by Saint John’s — The Farmers’ Market Salad Bar, and the cultivation of school gardens.
   The Board of Education was originally scheduled to vote on the “Nutrition and Physical Activity Policy,” as well as whether to fund a $25,000 pilot program to put it to the test, at its October 16 meeting, but postponed the vote to a later date, yet to be announced.