For kids, KidsHealth covers kids talk, staying healthy, everyday illnesses and injuries, kids health problems, my body, and growing up. For teens, KidsHealth covers health questions and answers, sexual health, body basics, mind matters, food and fitness, health problems, and staying safe. Yet many children's diets fall short of recommended dietary standards. Recent studies show that only 2 percent of school-aged children met the Food Guide Pyramid serving recommendations for all five major food groups. And, national statistics put the estimate of child obesity rate at one in five and threatening as much as one in three with long-term health problems.
Fast food is on the rise while home cooking is on the decline.
Food vendors are making millions from vending machines in our schools dispensing empty calorie items like soda and candy. The items available in these machines are not required to meet the same federal nutritional guideline standards that are required for school lunches. In addition, schools are cutting back on physical fitness while children are spending more time on the internet and playing computer games than playing outdoors. The legislation failed, but it did start an important dialogue. This summer the Health and Human Services Interim Committee's subcommittee will study and make recommendations on physical fitness and nutrition in public education.