Obesity Update: the latest

Michelle Obama is working to get 6000 salad bars in schools across the country within 3 years. Currently only about 15% of schools have salad bars and obtaining the necessary equipment to have a salad bar is an investment of about $2500, and that is before buying the produce to stock it. The United Fresh Produce Association will be donating salad bars across the country as part of the First Lady's Let's Move Salad Bars to Schools Initiative. Please see the below article for additional details.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/11/22/michelle-obama-6000-salad-bars-for-schools_n_787009.html


Please see the below article featuring an interview with the author of the book Bring Back the Family Dinner, by Laurie David. We know how important it is from a health perspective for families to eat together and this book includes tips and ideas about getting the most out of the family meal, further supporting that how we eat is as important as what we eat.

http://www.grist.org/article/2010-11-15-bring-back-the-family-dinner-says-laurie-david


On December 2 Congress passed the Child Nutrition Bill, which works to address both hunger and childhood obesity. The bill would make it possible for more children to eat breakfast and dinner at school. In addition, it will be cutting greasy food in lunch lines and junk food in vending machines. See the below article for details on the nutrition guidelines and additional information on the bill.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2010/12/02/child-nutrition-congress-_n_791275.html