Learning about fat
Tackling childhood obesity in the schools
The IOM developed a long list of recommendations. Key among them are that government and schools work together to establish healthful nutrition policies that apply to all food and beverages sold on campuses and that schools provide a minimum of 30 minutes of physical activity daily for every student.
Kids have become a special target for food and beverage advertising. Indeed, $10 billion to $12 billion was spent on television ads, packaging, contests, toys, and prizes to reach them in 2002, resulting in over $27 billion in sales to youngsters. The IOM is "particularly concerned with ads that target kids under 8 years old because they are not able to differentiate factual information from advertising," says Koplan. The panel recommended the industry voluntarily set standards that would essentially eliminate much of the advertising for breakfast cereals and snacks to young children. "What I would like to see is the food and beverage industry differentiate itself from tobacco and create a demand for healthful products," adds Koplan.
North High School has proved it's possible.
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