• Healthcare
• Families
• Schools
• Community

Energizing the Movement

FOR HEALTHIER SCHOOL LUNCHES

Congress takes the health out of school lunches and keeps the unhealthy in ("Congress strips health out of bill," Nov. 16). Members of Congress, now declaring themselves nutrition experts, are erasing what had been a movement forward with healthy changes that had been approved for school lunch menus, adding more fruits and vegetables and gradually removing sodium.

Congress' reasoning is that the changes are too restrictive. It was a small step forward and now several steps back. Congress' decision to take the health out of school lunch is because of pressure from special-interest groups.

Four percent of U.S. children currently are severely obese. Just recently, an article outlining updated cholesterol screening recommendations in children called for children to be screened at younger ages ("New advice on kids' cholesterol tests," Nov. 11). Diseases such as high blood pressure, Type 2 diabetes and fatty liver disease are being diagnosed even in young children. These are only a few of the health consequences faced by obese and overweight children.

There's nothing more activating these days for parents than school lunch menus. I give presentations to a lot of groups and am always asked about how we can improve school lunches.

On a district level, the Lincoln Public Schools food program has done an excellent job meeting requirements working within the budget constraints of a large program and making positive changes to promote health. There are barriers and restrictions each district faces. Many of the changes that are needed in school food programs will have to come on a federal level.

I urge people to contact their representatives to let them know they want the healthy put in school lunch. Or, the unhealthy taken out!

Karla Lester, executive director, Teach a Kid to Fish

Welcome to Teach a Kid to Fish

We work to prevent and reduce childhood obesity by empowering Lincoln children and families to eat healthy and be active.
Whether you are a parent, a doctor, a concerned teacher or an active citizen, each of us can play a part in solving this growing epidemic. Here’s what you can do:

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