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‘Healthy Children’ bill combats obesity

New law would mean student BMI tests, healthier lunch choices, daily exercise.

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By Dave Larsen, Staff Writer Updated 10:04 AM Friday, June 4, 2010

COLUMBUS — A bipartisan bill to combat childhood obesity that requires healthier options in school cafeterias, and provides for body mass index screenings of students and a pilot program for daily physical activity during the school day was approved by both chambers of the Ohio Legislature, Thursday, June 3.

The Healthy Choices for Healthy Children bill will be signed into law by Gov. Ted Strickland, said Amanda Wurst, the governor’s spokeswoman.

The bill focuses on decreasing and preventing childhood obesity in Ohio schools through healthier food and beverage options; changes to physical education instructor requirements; body mass index (BMI) screenings upon school entry and in third, fifth and ninth grades; and a pilot program to encourage 30 minutes of daily physical activity for students.

One in three children born in Ohio is overweight by age 8, said Sen. Kevin Coughlin, R-Cuyahoga Falls, a co-sponsor of the bill.

“Because children spend seven hours a day in school there are some options within schools that can really improve children’s health,” said Jessica Saunders, Children’s Medical Center of Dayton’s community relations manager.

The legislation allows for a parental opt-out and a waiver option for schools that may be unable to comply with BMI screenings, which plot a measure of weight and height with age on a specific gender graph.

Baker Middle School in Fairborn has been tracking the BMI of sixth-grade students for five years, said Paula Montgomery, Fairborn City Schools’ childhood nutrition supervisor.

The district has gradually replaced unhealthy snacks with fresh fruits and vegetables over the same period. “We’re interested in building healthier students,” Montgomery said.

BMI data can be used to measure a district or county’s progress over time, Saunders said. It also can indicate if a student is at increased risk for becoming overweight or chronic diseases such as diabetes.

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I am a Mom and a Personal Trainer and I volunteer at my son's school, then I realized that PE was in jeapordy I knew I had to step in without stepping on toes. I asked lots of questions about what I could be allowed to do and I worked on the exercises for 5th graders but for all grades. I modified reps and added in aerobic actvitiy. The students look n feel great! Kids are running marathons and doing push ups and playing, so when they get home they can know they trained and they can chill.

JBA
1:12 AM, 6/15/2010

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Self-discipline and parental guidance combat obesity. The End.

fortressdayton
6:42 PM, 6/13/2010

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If parents are too busy to RAISE their children, then why did they have them in the first place. My parents were NEVER too busy for us. There were about 3 fat kids on our bus and they outgrew the fat by junior high.....

The younger days
2:04 PM, 6/5/2010

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I didn't have CHOICES when I was a child. Children have not EARNED the right to choose. They need to be health EDUCATED by their parents, then the schools. I used to go to my former High School for lunch when I worked a mile away. 50 cents for healthy food, cheaper than the two fast food places. My mom packed my lunch most days without a juice box or an ice pack, school had a water fountain!! I didn't get sick. I was ALLOWED to buy lunch when I really liked what was being served that day.

The younger days
2:02 PM, 6/5/2010

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Gym class isn't everyday now. And, after 5th grade is only 1/2 (or less) of the school year. I have a 10 year old who is slightly overweight I am for this. But my thought is, his pediatrician records this information already.

lea
12:18 AM, 6/5/2010

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