When it comes to addressing childhood obesity, communities across the country must work together as a team to ensure healthy school environments for our kids. This means parents, teachers, administrators, health experts, and students all have a role to play in being part of the solution.
Congress has a role to play as well, and they are beginning work on updating (“reauthorizing”) legislation that will guide the meal programs and nutrition standards for our nation’s schools. And we have an outstanding opportunity to advocate for changes that will improve the way schools approach their nutrition and physical activity goals for our kids.
We know that strengthening local wellness policies is key component of a “team” approach to keeping kids healthy, and the HELP Schools Act, recently introduced by Senator Klochuar (D-MN), will do just that. Her legislation ensures that all school districts implement policies on nutrition and physical activity by establishing standing local wellness policy committees, ensuring that parents and the community are informed and engaged, providing assistance to schools, and evaluating the effectiveness of the policies.
Stay tuned for opportunities to act for healthier school environments!
No comments:
Post a Comment