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Free Lunch Isn't Cool, So Some Students Go Hungry - Although Francisco Velazquez, a 14-year-old freshman with spiky hair and sunglasses, qualifies for a free lunch at Balboa High School here, he was not eating. The stigma of accepting a government lunch, while others are paying for food from a different menu, is a problem many school districts across the country have been quietly confronting with mixed results, education and school nutrition officials said. San Francisco school officials are looking at ways to encourage more poor students to accept government-financed meals, including the possibility of introducing cashless cafeterias where all students are offered the same food choices and use debit cards or punch in codes on a keypad so that all students check out at the cashier in the same manner.

Study Urges Cutback in Soda Consumption - According to a review article in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, the typical 12-ounce soda has 150 calories and the equivalent of 10 teaspoons of sugar, mostly in the form of high-fructose corn syrup. Drinking one soda a day can lead to a one-year weight gain of 15 pounds. The review also questions the role of high-fructose corn syrup, which is used to sweeten soft drinks in the United States, while sucrose is used in Europe. Although the two sweeteners contain the same amount of calories, chemical differences have led some to theorize that fructose may cause greater weight gain and insulin resistance by elevating triglycerides.

Alliance for a Healthier Generation Gives Educators Tools to Transform School Health Environments - 202 schools from 12 states have been chosen to be part of a joint effort by the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association to raise healthier children. A key component of The Alliance for A Healthier Generation's Healthy Schools Program is the provision of direct support and assistance to schools to help them assess their current school environment, develop action plans and implement changes that will make their school environments healthier. “School is where our children spend their days and where they learn habits that stay with them for life,” said Risa Lavizzo-Mourey, M.D., M.B.A., president and CEO of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. All schools nationwide can apply for recognition and receive online tools and resources by going to http://www.healthiergeneration.org/. The Alliance's Healthy School Builder will be available on August 11.

The Alliance for a Healthier Generation - In May 2005 the Clinton Foundation and the American Heart Association partnered to create a new generation of healthy Americans by addressing one of the nation’s leading public health threats: childhood obesity through The Alliance for a Healthier Generation. The Alliance focuses on preventing childhood obesity and creating healthier lifestyles for all children. The Alliance effort will focus on four key areas: industry; schools, healthcare professionals and kids.
 

Getting The Brainpower Flowing - One unusual theory of school improvement holds that schools hinder learning because they frequently lack natural light and sufficient access to water. One Baltimore principal has installed numerous water coolers in his middle school classrooms, although he now is struggling to pay for them. According to Laurence Martel, "One of the liabilities the modern child is facing is chronic dehydration." And contributing to the problem, he said, are sugary breakfasts, fluorescent lighting and sodas filled with sugar and caffeine. He said a school in Idaho that put water in classrooms saw a substantial reduction in special education referrals.

UK Jamie's Dinners Improve Behavior, Schools Say - Jamie Oliver's drive to rid schools of junk food has produced a big improvement in children's behavior, teachers say.

CA Schwarzenegger Urges Passage of Food Bills - Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is promoting legislation that would encourage healthier food and drinks in schools, including a bill that would extend a statewide ban on soft drinks from lower grades to high schools.

Poor Health Habits Reason For Grade Gap - Obesity, poor nutrition and lack of physical fitness may partially explain why Hispanic and American Indian students in New Mexico don’t perform as well as their Anglo peers. Recently released data from Harvard University’s School of Public Health found a strong correlation between poor nutrition and health and low achievement, state Secretary of Education Veronica García told a group of teachers in Santa Fe.
 

Taking Fatty Acid Supplements Could Improve Behavior and School Performance in Kids With Developmental Coordination Disorders - Researchers from the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom studied whether supplementing kids' diets with certain fatty acids could improve symptoms of Developmental Coordination Disorders. They found the fatty acid supplements didn't affect a child's coordination or motor skills, but after taking the fatty acid supplements, children experienced significant improvements in reading, spelling, and behavior. Children who continued to take the fatty acid supplements until the 6-month mark tested more than a year ahead of their previous reading level and more than 6 months ahead of their previous level of spelling.

CT Connecticut Governor Vetoes Junk Food Bill - The governor vetoed a bill Tuesday that would have banned most soft drinks and junk food from Connecticut schools. Soft drink companies had lobbied fiercely against the bill, and schools expressed concerns about losing revenue from sales.

CT Connecticut Schools Target Junk Food - Connecticut is on the verge of adopting the most far-reaching ban in the country on soda and junk food in public schools, in an effort to curb rising rates of childhood obesity.

AZ Senate OKs Junk Food Ban - Starting next year, Arizona's elementary and middle school students could be eating healthier. A bill expected to land on the governor's desk shortly would ban the sales of soft drinks, candy and gum during the school day beginning in July 2006. High schools would be exempt.

AZ Junk Food Bill Gains Weight With Senators - A bill to curb junk food sales in Arizona's public schools gained more steam and teeth after a Senate panel decided Wednesday to add high schools back on the legislation.

AZ Schools Get by Without Junk Food - No revenue loss shown in 5-month test of ban. Schools can make as much money selling healthy foods as they can pushing sugar and fat on students, according to a nutrition study released today by the Arizona Department of Education.

Kraft to Cut Back on Snack Ads Targeting Kids - Kraft Foods Inc. (KFT) Wednesday said it would stop advertising products like Oreo cookies and Kool-Aid beverages to children younger than 12 as it works to deflect criticism that such foods contribute to childhood obesity.

PA 'Grab-and-go' Cart Gets Kids Eating - It's not just OK for pupils to eat on the run when they arrive at a middle school here each morning. It's encouraged. For about 20 minutes before homeroom, a "grab-and-go" food cart is parked near the principal's office. Pupils can grab a bagel, muffin, cold cereal and fresh fruit, throw them into a paper bag, and take them to their desks. [Login/registration required to view article.]

MI Girls Fight For Healthy Eating at School

MI Williamston, Fowlerville Schools Giving Kids Healthy Snack Options - Justin Dartt, 16, a junior at Fowlerville High School, is not happy about the new healthy snack machines at his school. Fowlerville and Williamston high schools are piloting a state program this year aimed at getting students to eat and drink healthier.

http://www.NutraSanus.com is a non-commercial natural health website that offers a wealth of useful information on herbs and supplements.

Children In Crisis: Nutritional Therapy Gives Youngster a Weapon in the Battle Against Rage - Like a child reciting his favorite video game titles, Dylan DeGlopper meticulously lists the foods he can't have: anything with wheat or white flour; flavored popcorn and potato chips; anything enhanced with smoky seasoning. The no-nos go on and on. "I was ornery and cranky," he said recently, four months after starting a gluten-free diet. "I feel a lot better than I did when I was eating normal stuff. Now with this, I feel a lot more mellow."

FL Principles vs. Profits - They're not quite the scary androids of I, Robot, but snack and soda vending machines in South Florida schools are nearly as controversial. They're seen as villains by nutritionists fighting childhood obesity, as saviors by principals seeking extra cash to pay for band uniforms, class trips and senior proms.

Leadership Connections Focus on Nutrition: Appleton Central High - The Progressive Policy Institute’s 21st Century Schools Project Bulletin reports that the Appleton Central Alternative [Charter] High School in Wisconsin got rid of burgers, fries, pizza, and other fast food six years ago and replaced them with a more nutritious lunch menu. Grades and attendance are up, more students are graduating, and discipline problems are down.

UT School Nutrition Targeted - Heber Valley students still could get pop and candy at school, but it could be slim pickings under a revised nutrition policy proposal. Meanwhile, other districts are looking at what's for sale in student vending machines. Granite is urging schools to cut back on junk food. And Jordan and Nebo are studying nutrition in schools, which could lead to treat restrictions or other rules.

PA No More Fizzy Sodas in Schools - Starting next week, city students won't have Coke or Pepsi to cool off with at school. The school district's soda ban takes effect July 1. Approved in February, the policy prohibits the sale of all carbonated soft drinks to students. Only 100 percent fruit juice, water, milk and flavored milk will be sold to students in cafeterias and from vending machines. Students in grades 9 through 12, however, will still be able to buy electrolyte-replacement sports drinks from machines near sports facilities. [Source: Philly.com, 6-22-04]

Internal Documents Tell Coca-Cola's Real Story - Internal documents show how Coca-Cola's political influence was the key to overcoming legal objections and launching a "pouring rights" scheme that promoted soda to a captive audience of schoolchildren throughout the US.

CA School Food Director Becomes Hero in Obesity Fight - When student nutrition directors gather for conferences, Ed Wilkins is the oddball. He's a man in a field dominated by women, has roots in business rather than nutrition, has no children of his own and, at 6 feet, 5 inches, he towers above the others. But that pales beside his resolve to ensure that San Francisco's public schools never sell students another empty calorie.

CA California PTA Stands Up for Healthy School Food - A resolution addressing the childhood obesity crisis, sponsored by the San Francisco PTA and called "Healthy Lifestyles for All Children," was approved by a majority of the 2,718 voting delegates at the California State PTA's 105th annual convention earlier this month in Long Beach, Calif. Total attendance at the convention, held May 3-6, was more than 5,400.

MI Bernero "Junk Food" Bill Gets 23 Co-sponsors - Michigan State Sen. Virg Bernero (D-Lansing) scored a minor political victory today when he introduced his "no junk food in schools" bill with 23 co-sponsors, including eight Republicans senators. That's the good news for him.

UK Study: Schools Cutting Soda Lower Obesity - School programs discouraging carbonated drinks appear to be effective in reducing obesity among children, a new study suggests — the first research to document that such programs work.

Childhood Obesity Crisis Inspires Ideas for Fundraising Without Food - With obesity reaching epidemic levels among children, schools nationwide are struggling with concerns about junk food sold on campus. Meanwhile, PTAs and other parent groups are beginning to worry about the amount of fundraising that involves selling sweets and other unhealthy foods. In response to those concerns, a free guide to non-food fundraising ideas is now available online.

MI Surgeon General Supports Junk Food Purge - "It's a tidal wave of garbage masquerading as lunch." - MI State Senator Virg Bernero Michigan Surgeon General Kimberly Dawn WISDOM said today she applauds Sen. Virg Bernero's (D-Lansing) effort to dump the Doritos and Twinkees from school cafeterias in favor of apples and carrot sticks.

FDA Orders Veal Producers to Stop Giving Calves Growth Hormones - The Food and Drug Administration, aiming to keep sex hormone supplements out of consumers' veal, is warning veal farmers to stop giving calves certain hormones to promote their growth.
 

U.S. Produce, Decoded - Those little stickers on fruits and vegetables at the supermarket aren't just for the checkout clerk to find the price. You can use the numbers to figure out how the produce you're buying has been grown. A sticker with four digits means the food was conventionally grown. Five digits starting with an 8 indicate genetically engineered produce (the food's genetic material has been altered), and five digits starting with a 9 means the food was organically grown (without the use of most conventional pesticides or synthetic fertilizers). Don't worry if you can't remove all the sticker adhesive - it's required to be safe to eat. [Source: Neena Samuel, Reader's Digest]

MI Bernero on Fat School Kids - Unsuccessful in his attempts to ban pop machines in schools, Sen. Virgil Bernero (D-Lansing) is back with a plan to limit the intake of fat on the school cafeteria line. "We have an obesity epidemic," complains Bernero, who will introduce legislation to outlaw all food containing more than eight grams of fat.

FL Soft Drink Sales in Schools Face Increasing Criticism - Florida schools trying to supplement tight budgets through commercial deals with soft drink companies are facing mounting pressure from those who blame sodas in school with contributing to an epidemic of childhood obesity.

AK Alaska Bill Would Ban School Soda Sales - House Bill 80 would ban schools from selling between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. carbonated beverages or drinks containing more than 42 grams of sugar per 20-ounce serving. Soft drinks that are more than 50 percent fruit juice would be allowed. Supporters point to rising levels of obesity, diabetes as reasons for the drastic measure.

CA Junk Food off the Menu at San Francisco Schools - San Francisco schools have completed phasing in a bold new plan that may be the nation’s most comprehensive healthy-food policy – a "no empty calories" standard for all foods sold to students.