Monday, July 16, 2012

Healthier kids --- Healthier US School Challenge

The USDA announced today that 3717 school across the country met and exceeded the goal of 2,250 schools becoming meeting the challenge of offering healthier food and beverage options while educating about correct nutrition.  The USDA offered schools awards based on their levels of performance, and the program was tied to the government program Let's Move!  I looked at the list, and Metro Nashville has a wonderful helping of schools (MLK magnet isn't on the list --- get on it, Sarah Laos), Ohio has a smaller helping of schools than Tennessee (and Lebanon didn't have any), and poor little Oklahoma only had one school in the entire state on the list.  Check out your state and see what you can do to get the schools in your area to help kids become healthier:  http://www.fns.usda.gov/tn/HealthierUS/index.html.

USDA news link:  http://content.govdelivery.com/bulletins/gd/USDAOC-49ca2f

Putting this program in a little bit of context, remember that the CDC has predicted that by 2030, 42% of Americans will be classified as obese. That will continue to bankrupt our healthcare system as we care for diabetes, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and many other weigh-related health issues.  Let's help ourselves and our kids be healthy for the future.

CDC warning:  http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2012/t0507_weight_nation.html

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