Week of 1/24/11: Healthy schools highlights

WHO seeks junk food ban in schools around the world

Along with asking for voluntary limitation of junk food advertisements, the World Health Organization (WHO) has urged countries to ban the unhealthy foods in schools. Learn more at Press TV.  WHO has issued a series of recommendations to promote a global fight against the growing epidemic of childhood obesity. The latest figures revealed that about 42 million children under the age of 5 suffer from obesity worldwide.

Colorado GOP lawmakers open to reversing votes against school breakfast subsidy

Two Republicans on the legislature’s Joint Budget Committee signaled Monday that they were open to reversing their votes against additional funding for a school breakfast program, while Democrats promised legislation to provide the money. Read more in the Denver Post.

Boulder Valley schools to stick with healthy lunches despite costs

The Boulder Valley School District is continuing support for its healthy lunch program, though the school board may need to cut costs or raise meal prices next year to create financial stability. Read more in the Daily Camera.

Aurora gym teachers continue fight to keep PE a requirement

Gym teachers from Aurora Public Schools are using national statistics as ammo in their fight to keep physical education credits a part of the district’s graduation requirements. Read more in the Aurora Sentinel.

Insufficient, irregular sleep tied to kids’ obesity

Sleeping in on the weekend may help children fight obesity, a new study suggests. Too little sleep puts kids at risk of obesity and other health conditions, but “catch-up” sleep on weekends and holidays can mitigate the effects of weekday sleep deprivation, researchers say. Read more in HealthDay News.

Timing of recess makes a difference

There’s generally less junk food available in schools these days. Vending machines offer healthier snacks,

and lunchrooms are being encouraged to cook more nutritious meals.
But research is showing that getting kids to eat healthier at school isn’t just about what they eat, – but when. Listen to this Colorado Public Radio report.

Boulder’s Heatherwood Elementary awarded walk-to-school grant

Heatherwood Elementary has one of the Boulder Valley School District’s strongest walk- and bike-to-school programs, but one group often was left out. Read more in the Daily Camera.

New group forms for parents of teens

If the parenting shelves at bookstores are any indication, there is no shortage of new parents looking for books on how to raise infants and toddlers, but interest seems to die off as children hit their teens. After more than a decade on the ropes, parents might think they`ve got the hang of it, and the kids don`t seem quite as needy when curled up in front of the Xbox. Get details in the Broomfield Enterprise.

Get active: Bill would require Colorado students to exercise

Colorado grade school kids would be required to get at least a half-hour of “physical activity” per day under a new measure introduced at the State Capitol.

House Bill 1069 mandates school districts create policies that lead to 150 minutes each week of recess, physical education, exercise or fitness breaks for elementary school students statewide. Watch the 9News report.

In cash-strapped Colorado, consensus builds for more school-based health care

State Rep. Daniel Kagan, D-Denver, let the fleeting pleasant experience wash over him: His bill to make school-based health care more accessible, HB 11-1019, passed out of committee on a unanimous vote. Read more in the Colorado Independent.

About our First Person series:

First Person is where Chalkbeat features personal essays by educators, students, parents, and others trying to improve public education. Read our submission guidelines here.