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Combating Childhood Obesity Requires Improved Nutrition And Physical Activity
WASHINGTON, (PRNewswire), March 9, 2003 - The American Council for Fitness and Nutrition (ACFN) has called for increased federal support for nutrition and physical education during Senate hearings on the school lunch and breakfast programs.

The Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry held the first of a series of hearings on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act which includes federal school meal programs and the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) program.

The recent hearings addressed the U.S. Department of Agriculture nutrition guidelines, funding for school lunches and breakfasts, and the role the meal program can play in improving childhood nutrition. Panelists discussed funding needs, food service programs, and the need for adequate nutrition education in schools in order to reduce obesity.

As hearings on the reauthorization of the Child Nutrition Act continue, ACFN advocates realistic, long-term solutions for reducing and preventing overweight and obesity among America's school children, including a balance of:

Nutrition education for children, teachers and parents. Nutrition information should be covered in school curricula, and resources for parents should be available. Children need to be educated about the importance of balancing a healthy diet with daily physical activity for a healthy lifestyle.
Physical activity in schools. Only one state - Illinois - currently has mandatory daily physical activity for students. ACFN supports physical activity for at least 30 minutes a day in all schools.
Applied research on how to achieve appropriate behavior changes. We must find effective solutions that people can realistically fit into their everyday lifestyles.

The ACFN said that decisions about the availability and selection of food choices in schools should be made by parents, educators and local communities, and should not be subjected to a "one-size-fits-all" standard at the national level. The USDA should continue to set appropriate nutritional guidelines for school meal programs, with the specifics of food and beverage options made by the parents and educators in local communities.

ACFN is a non-profit organization made up of food, beverage and consumer product companies; trade associations; and non-profit organizations working together to improve the health of all Americans, particularly youth, by encouraging a healthy balance between fitness and nutrition.

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