Bills Would Boost School Nutrition
It is a proven fact that overweight children are more likely to encounter a myriad of serious health problems which could affect their heart, lungs, bones, and endocrine system. In an effort to curtail the amount of unhealthy foods and sugary drinks consumed by children, at least during school hours, a couple of bills have been introduced into the Colorado state legislature in 2008.
Healthy Beverages
Senate Bill 129, sponsored by Senator Dan Gibbs, is a measure that would require each school district board to adopt and implement a policy that prohibits the sale of beverages in schools unless they meet certain nutritional criteria. Exceptions are made for extra-curricular activities, fundraisers, and similar events. The bill also requires, rather than encourages, schools to adopt policies concerning the provision of healthful food choices in schools. The Center for Science in the Public Interest states that soft drinks are the number one source of calories in teens’ diets and the only individual food directly linked to obesity.
Nutrition Standards
Additionally, Senate Bill 173, sponsored by Senator Suzanne Williams, creates the Healthy Schools Grant Program, which would allow schools who meet minimum standards concerning nutrition, physical education, and physical activity to apply through their school district for grant funds under the Program. Rather than punishing schools who serve unhealthy foods to kids or creating a mandate on all schools, under this bill schools could actually be rewarded for proactively implementing healthy foods and physical activities into their programming.
How to Help
We all know good nutrition and a balanced diet will help children grow up healthy, and as adults, we share in the responsibility to help children make healthy eating choices – both in our homes and at our schools.
The Children’s Hospital will be counting on members of our community Grassroots Advocacy Network to lend their voices in support when they receive action alerts related to these bills. Learn how you can lend your voice to these and other issues, by signing up now to receive advocacy email alerts from The Children’s Hospital.
