Stopping Childhood Obesity--Thinking Outside the Box

Posted on January 27, 2006 by Gerald Pugliese

As a result of the childhood obesity epidemic different strategies have been enacted to promote good nutrition and exercise in children:

The New York Times reports that some Los Angeles parents are turning to gyms instead of playgrounds to help keep their kids fit and healthy.

Unless of course you live in West Virginia where certain kinds of video game play are encouraged. The Associated Press reports that West Virginia boasts the United States worst obesity problems, so school officials are having all 157 of the state's public schools outfitted with the physically challenging arcade game "Dance Dance Revolution." A move designed to promote physical activity.

Over the pond the European Union (EU) has decided it's better to remove things from schools. Reuters reports that UNESDA, which represents a large part of Europe's non-alcoholic beverage industry, is complying with the EU's drive against obesity and will remove refreshment vending machines from primary schools and drop advertising aimed at children under twelve.

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Checking in With Harlem's Promise Academy

Posted on January 17, 2006 by Henry Abbott

A few months ago we blogged about Harlem's Promise Academy, a rare public school where nutritious school lunches are the rule.

The Associated Press recently checked in with the school with no fried foods or desserts, and found reason for optimism:

Sixth-grader Falilou Barry wouldn't eat red cabbage the last time it was served because "it looked purple." But next time, he said, "I'm hoping to taste it."

Tiffany Vargas, a seventh-grader, said she has learned to like foods including zucchini, vegetable lasagna and, yes, cabbage.

"There's a lot of things you don't like," she said, "but it's better to try than to just say forget about it."

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